Parks play a vital role in community building, and with tax-supported resources being redirected to drainage, the community is coming together to build parks.
The City of Bellaire and non-profit Patrons for Bellaire Parks are excited to welcome you to the new and improved Ware Family Park, the first of our pocket parks to be upgraded under the Parks Master Plan. The new playground equipment, designed for preschoolers ages 2-5 and for older kids 5-12, encourages exploration, imagination and sensory development and strengthening. It also introduces special play features that are more inclusive of children with different physical, social, cognitive and sensory abilities.
The Parks Master Plan, adopted in 2015, identified Ware Family Park for playground replacement as the existing equipment had reached the end of its useful life and parts necessary to ensure its continued maintenance and safety were no longer available. Under the leadership of our citizen Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the City and Patrons worked together in planning the project. Patrons generously provided funding for two additional play structures, including one of the all-ability enhancements.
Patrons and its volunteer board members work throughout the year to support our parks and green spaces. Its popular fundraisers—community building events in and of themselves—include Wine and Tapas, Tents in Town, Dive-In Movie Nights and the Trolley Run. Among the amenities Patrons has made possible are the Bellaire Town Square Family Aquatic Center, Great Lawn and Event Pavilion, and Loftin Park playground and fitness trail; Officer Lucy Dog Park improvements; funding for the future reconstruction of Evergreen Park and Pool; and the Party at the Pavilion outdoor concert series. Also, following Hurricane Harvey it was Patrons that led the grassroots Bellaire Brave campaign, raising more than $100,000 for our first responders and other city employees recovering from the storm.
We’ll celebrate this latest achievement with the grand re-opening of Ware Family Park on Saturday from 11:00 to 1:00. It’ll be fun for the whole family, with free food, games and activities. Friends of the Bellaire Library will also be there to dedicate our newest Little Free Library, a wonderful complement to the park renovations and yet another community addition for all to enjoy. Come on out and join the party!
