The students and children in the community near Freeman Elementary School will have a place to play in the near future.

Freeman Elementary was accepted to be a part of the SPARK Park program, sponsored by the City of Houston. The SPARK School Park Program was developed in 1983 as a way to increase park space in the Houston area. The late Eleanor Tinsley, former Houston school board member and former Houston City Council Member created the non-profit organization to develop public school grounds into neighborhood parks.

Freeman will be the fourth Pasadena ISD school to become a part of the SPARK Park program. The first SPARK Park in Pasadena opened at Parks Elementary School in 2007. Other district SPARK Parks that are in the works are located at Garfield and Matthys elementary schools.

SPARK combines the resources of the Department of Housing and Community Development, Harris County, the private sector, neighborhood groups, PTA/PTO groups, and concerned citizens.

“We are very excited about this news and we are ready to make this project a reality,” said Kaye Post, Freeman Elementary School principal.

As part of the SPARK Park program requirements, the schools selected are given a goal of raising $5,000 for their park. Last year, Freeman hosted a “Family Festival” and all proceeds were set aside for matching funds for a SPARK Park grant.

Planning is already underway for this year’s festival which is to be held on Saturday, April 18.

“We have a core group of parents and staff members that are working together to make this year’s event more profitable than last. Many area restaurants and business donated items to the festival last year and plan to donate again,” Post said.

For more information on Freeman’s SPARK Park program or if you wish to donate, contact the school at 713-740-0568.