Play is Bigger in Texas!

GameTime is pleased to announce the funding recipients of the 2019 Texas Recreation and Park Society Statewide Education and Funding Initiative. This is the second year for the funding and educational partnership between the TRAPS, GameTime, and PlayCore.

In the educational component of the initiative, PlayCore provided CEU-qualified professional development sessions throughout Texas to share research-based best practices in playground design and programming. This particular initiative identified strategic partnerships including schools, nonprofits, and surrounding advocates to aid in building stronger communities through the power of play.

For the funding component of the initiative, GameTime made a commitment of up to two million dollars in matching funds for TRAPS agencies who submitted applications for assistance with the development of playground spaces that encourage best practice designs for active behavior.

“We’re happy to be back in Texas for the second year of professional development events. By providing our research, connections, and funding in these statewide initiatives, we celebrate our mission of building communities through play and recreation,” said Bob Barron, Senior Vice President at GameTime. “The training workshops provided park and recreation professionals with research and resources to create spaces that are based on best practices. With that research, TRAPS agencies are better equipped to create recreation areas that bring communities together with like-minded professionals and organizations that maximize park usage and encourage children and families to be more active together.”

Each of the playgrounds that are funded by the initiative will be designated as National Demonstration Sites for data collection and will contribute data to highlight best practices and outcomes achieved.

Dr. Michal Anne Lord, Executive Director of TRAPS commented, “We’re excited to once again help local communities put research into action through the power of play and recreation. This is such an incredible opportunity to provide our communities with healthy ways to grow and thrive. Congratulations to the 23 newly designated National Demonstration Sites in our state.”

The following are the 2019 recipients and will be recognized at the 2020 TRAPS Annual Conference in February:

• City of Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department
• New Braunfels Parks and Recreation
• Mound Elementary/Burleson ISD
• Del Valle Independent School District
• Frazier Elementary
• City of Allen
• Taylor Elementary
• Faye Webb Elementary PTA
• Camp Gan Israel
• Houston Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
• Cross Lutheran Church and School
• Haltom City Parks & Recreation
• City of Schertz
• City of Richland Hills
• Roosevelt Alexander Elementary School
• Eastpoint Community Association
• Walden on Lake Conroe HOA
• City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department
• The City of Ingleside Parks and Recreation Department
• Lakes of Magnolia
• Laurel Ridge Treatment Center
• City of Georgetown
• City of Ennis

*The specific funding amounts for each of these projects will be determined once designs are completed and approved by the related agencies. 

About GameTime

GameTime is a leading manufacturer of commercial playgrounds, custom play spaces and outdoor fitness equipment. Headquartered in Fort Payne, Alabama, and with distribution around the world, GameTime has been dedicated to enriching childhood through play since our founding in 1929, and we work with community partners to demonstrate Play Has No Limit®. Learn more at gametime.com.

About PlayCore

PlayCore helps build stronger communities around the world by advancing play through research, education, and partnerships. The company infuses this learning into its complete family of brands. PlayCore combines best in class planning and education programs with the most comprehensive array of recreation products available to create play solutions that match the unique needs of each community they serve. Learn more at playcore.com.

About TRAPS

The Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) is a nonprofit educational and professional organization founded in 1937 to advance the profession of parks, recreation and leisure services in Texas. Learn more at www.traps.org