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The dream
of building The Children’s Park in Tyler began in January
2002. It was completed and donated to the City of
Tyler in October 2004. For the whole story, please
read on and/or click on one of the video clips below.
October 26, 2004 - The Children's Park donated to the City of Tyler
September 19, 2004 - Grand Opening
March - September 2004 - Construction
January 2004
-
Ground Breaking
Our Ground Breaking
Ceremony was held January 22, 2004. We had over 150
people from the community attend. It was a beautiful
day, with clear blue skies and crisp cool air. Our
honorable Mayor Joey Seeber spoke, on behalf of the
City; lines were read from essays, written by HOGG
Middle School students, expressing what the park will
mean to them; and Shaune Martinez sang beautifully
Steven Curtis Chapman's, "Fingerprints of God". It
perfectly expressed our purpose for this special park,
to honor children and make a statement that they are
loved and highly valued.
- Signed the contract with
our Construction Manager and had our Ground Breaking
Ceremony
October 2003
- The City of Tyler
approved a matching grant for $225,000
June
2003
- Launching first phase of
major fundraising campaign
April
- May 2003
- Budget finalized and
fundraising materials put together
January - March 2003
- The Children's Park
received approval from the City Council, after
recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission,
to obtain a Special Use Permit to build the park. The
vote was unanimous.
- A special fund raising
committee was formed to raise the necessary funds to
build the park.
- MHS Planning and Design
delivered the final city approved park designs.
- The Tyler City Council
voted 4-0 to have the city act as the non-profit
organization to collect the donations and assume
maintenance of The Children's Park.
October - December, 2002
- The money was raised to
purchase the land with donations made to our Founding
Mothers Campaign. Nearly 200 people contributed to
include citizens of Tyler and surrounding areas, friends
and family.
August 2002
- Contract signed to
purchase the property on the corner of Dobbs and
Broadway, in Tyler, next to Hogg Middle School. The
owner allowed a closing date to be set for February
2003, allowing us time to raise the money.
July
2002
- Children Are A Gift
Foundation was formed to oversee the development of the
park and assist the city with ongoing maintenance.
March
2002
- City of Tyler voted to
support The Children's Park in Tyler and to receive it
as a donation, to become a new city park, once it is
completed.
January 2002
- Elena's Children's Park
Committee, from Dallas, came and did a presentation for
citizens who were interested in developing a similar
park in Tyler
- The Tyler Park Planning
Committee was formed.
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