Here’s another great opportunity to support the PlayGrand Adventures project this weekend, Saturday, May 19!

Joshua Hooten, a 9th grader at Dubiski High School, along with his family took it upon themselves to coordinate a carwash for the second year in a row in support of PlayGrand Adventures. It’s not every day that you find someone as passionate about a project as Joshua. Staff was so moved by his eagerness to help, we asked him a few questions:

PlayGrand Adventures: You did a car wash last year during the Miles for Smiles campaign. Why did you do it, and why do you want to do it again?
Joshua: I did the carwash last time because my family and I love to help people no matter what it takes out of us. Also, I like to make a difference in people lives. I am doing the carwash for a second time because I think that people of all abilities should have somewhere to go to have fun and be worry free.

PlayGrand Adventures: Why are you so passionate about PlayGrand Adventures?
Joshua: I am passionate about PlayGrand Adventures because I think that all people should be able to enjoy time in the outdoors no matter what disabilities they have or don’t have.

PlayGrand Adventures: What would you say to others who want to get involved, or help with this project?
Joshua: I would tell them that they could donate money to go to building of the all-inclusive park, or they can help out at the carwash. All money raised at the carwash will support the Miles for Smiles campaign.

Event Details:
Saturday May 19, 2018
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Long John Silver’s parking lot
680 W Pioneer Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75051

We hope you will come out this Saturday to support Joshua and PlayGrand Adventures. All proceeds from the carwash will be contributed to the “Miles for Smiles” campaign which GPISD students are participating in to help raise money for this life-changing project.

The City of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation Department has received it’s first large financial sponsorship from Stripe-A-Zone. Stripe-A-Zone is a Grand Prairie company offering pavement marking services around Texas since 1950, and has committed $50,000 to the project. Thank you Stripe-A-Zone for this generous contribution.

PlayGrand Adventures playground will be located at the corner of Warrior Trail and Waterwood Dr. within Grand Central Park. PlayGrand Adventures will be a playground where everyone of all ages and abilities can experience ‘Epic’ play. The playground will be designed to stimulate, challenge, and encourage development of several skill sets while providing social interaction, sense of discovery, creativity, and exercise.

This playground will be a part of the EPIC project, and one that has great potential of bringing together children and adults in a safe, exciting, comfortable, and fun atmosphere. Funding has been authorized as part of the EPIC Recreation Center and EPIC Waters for the Phase I PlayGrand Adventures Project. However, we are dreaming even bigger and want to build future phases as part of the initial development. This truly will be an EPIC project and a continued EPIC experience for all ages and abilities in our community.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available and the PlayGrand committee is working hard to fulfill everyone’s expectations. If you would like to donate, please visit PlayGrandAdventures.com.

Steve Plumer PLA, ASLA
Sr. Parks Project Manager
Parks, Arts & Recreation Department

The City of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation Department has embarked on another life changing project at Central Park. The EPIC Recreation Center and EPIC WATERS water park will forever change the lives of thousands of Grand Prairie residents for decades to come. One component of the EPIC project is the development of PlayGrand Adventures playground, to be located on the southern portion of Central Park.

PlayGrand Adventures will be a playground where everyone of all ages and abilities can experience ‘Epic’ play. This playground will be a part of the EPIC project, and one that has great potential of bringing together children and adults in a safe, exciting, comfortable, and fun atmosphere.

Our goal with PlayGrand Adventures is to be the best destination playground in the country. To date, the idea is to separate the playground into several adventure lands, each standing on its own, but linked to each other. PlayGrand Adventures will have shelters, seating areas and picnic areas associated with each land. The lands will incorporate inclusive features so all visitors can associate with each other regardless of their abilities.

Initial planning of the playground has started, and updates throughout the project will be posted as the design develops.

The PlayGrand Adventures Kick-Off Reception was held Thursday evening, May 7, at the historic Uptown Theater. This event formally introduced the project to community leaders, professionals, City officials and Parks’ friends and launched the campaign for additional funding and community participation of the project. The evening offered opportunities for citizens to volunteer on steering committees to guide the PlayGrand’s Development through the project.

Funding has been authorized as part of the EPIC Recreation Center and EPIC Waters for the PlayGrand Adventures Project. However, we are dreaming even bigger and want to build future phases as part of the initial development. A PlayGrand Subcommittee will be canvassing the community for sponsorships and partnerships. This truly will be an EPIC project and a continued EPIC experience for all ages and abilities in our community.

Steve Plumer PLA, ASLA
Sr. Parks Project Manager – Parks, Arts & Recreation Department