Children's urban park in Tyler plans expansion to meet usage demands (Houston: lease, credit)

[Metro Matt]

Children’s Park Plans Expansion To Meet Usage Demands
By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS

Staff Writer



What started as a mother's effort to honor the memory of her unborn son is touching the lives of families, in ways not fully expected.

The Children's Park, at the corner of Dobbs Street and Broadway Avenue, is becoming such a preferred place for gathering, supporters are planning to expand.


“What we didn't anticipate is the large number of people who visit,” founder Jennifer Carson said. “We can have anywhere between 250 and 300 people visiting at one time. It's wonderful.”

The Children's Park originally was designed for small numbers, serving as a type of memory garden to honor the lives of all children.

The 2.2-acre park is filled with the names of children, living and deceased, engraved along the sidewalk and on plaques.

Bronze statues pay tribute to the forever young.

So many people seem to find peace in the park, they want to mark significant life events in the tranquil surroundings — weddings, special occasions and events.

“We're so thankful the city has embraced it like they have,” Ms. Carson said. “Now that we've been here for a while, we can see how the park is being used.”

To ensure the enjoyment of all who visit, it’s important to address the need for increased space — additional seating and a quiet place for reflection.

Phase II will address those needs and others, Mark Spencer, MHS Planning & Design, said.

The next leg of the development will expand the park to the south, transforming part of the unused space into a prayer and meditation garden.

Offices for the Children are a Gift Foundation, the group overseeing the park, are in a nearby house that faces Hogg Middle School.

Foundation members hope to purchase, renovate and then donate the 1940s-era house to the city, carving out a small meeting room for gathering and adding a backyard deck for seating.

As part of its proposal, the foundation also plans to lease out the house for special gatherings and give the proceeds to the city to help cover the costs of the park’s upkeep.

Spencer said the addition of the house adds a completely different element to the overall project.

“It has the opportunity to be real special,” Spencer said. “The key thing this does is tie both sides of the creek together.”

The basic element of the Children’s Park — the concept of “natural play” — will remain unchanged.

There are no jungle gyms or merry-go-rounds, just open spaces, a soft carpet of grass and a big round granite teddy bear statue perfect for climbing.

Ms. Carson said the intentional omission of playground equipment allows children of all ages to use their imaginations — running, climbing, spending time together in a safe environment.

“We’ve noticed dads are down there a lot, climbing around and playing with their kids,” she said. “It’s wonderful.”

Parks Director Stephanie Rollings said the project is well-planned.
“Jennifer obviously has done her homework,” she said.

City staff will assist in making sure renovations are compliant with codes and ordinances.

Parks Board members voiced support for the project. The Tyler City Council is expected to review the project in the coming weeks.

The Children’s Park was inspired by Elena’s Children’s Park in Dallas, organized in tribute of a 3-year-old girl killed in a 1997 traffic collision.

Ms. Carson learned about the park as she and her husband were grieving the loss of their son, Braden, who died in 1999 shortly before birth.

After much encouragement from family and friends, Ms. Carson approached the city about starting a similar project in Tyler.

Community support for the plan grew. By 2004, seven tree- and vine-filled lots purchased at Rowland Place and Broadway Avenue, north of Hogg Middle School, were transformed into a park.

The completed park features a children’s story circle, a beautiful butterfly garden and two waterfalls, trickling gently into a fish pond.

Cobblestone walkways and seating benches encourage visitors to linger and relax.

“It’s just so wonderful,” Ms. Carson said. “God had a plan.”

[HtownLove]

wow, Tylers is just going all out.

Trees, parks.

Watch out, sounds like Texas's next boom city

[AlGreen]

Lol...."urban" still makes me giggle

There are some pics of that park in this here thread:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas...1-04-07-a.html

[HtownLove]

I like those pics of Tyler. Interesting

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by AlGreen

Lol...."urban" still makes me giggle

There are some pics of that park in this here thread:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas...1-04-07-a.html

Lay off the wacky tobaccy, Al.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/issaaa/Houston/Tyler1-07056.jpg (broken link)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/issaaa/Houston/Tyler1-07057.jpg (broken link)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/issaaa/Houston/Tyler1-07058.jpg (broken link)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/issaaa/Houston/Tyler1-07059.jpg (broken link)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/issaaa/Houston/Tyler1-07060.jpg (broken link)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/issaaa/Houston/Tyler1-07061.jpg (broken link)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/issaaa/Houston/Tyler1-07062.jpg (broken link)

Photo credits to RGV of C-D

[cmacemm]

That actually is a pretty cool looking park

[HtownLove]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

Lay off the wacky tobaccy, Al.

all of City-Data wishes he would

[AlGreen]

Originally Posted by cmacemm

That actually is a pretty cool looking park

Cool, yes. Urban?.....

In all fairness, that general area is among the most beautiful in Tyler, and is filled with some of neatest old homes you'll see in the entire state of Texas.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by cmacemm

That actually is a pretty cool looking park

Before 2004 it was nothing more than underbrush & woods where people threw their trash in the creek.

Indeed a major transformation into something truly special for the parents & youth of Tyler.