Alief SPARK Park & Nature Center
The Alief SPARK Park & Nature Center is a collaborative partnership with Alief ISD, the Alief Super Neighborhood, LISC, the University of Houston – School of Architecture, the Tatanka Boy Scouts, Trees for Houston and Wells Fargo. With Alief ISD contributing the property on a long term lease and our other partners supporting through financial and sweat equity we have forged a new path in Alief.
Originally planned as a simple garden that would grow over time only 10 garden beds were initially envisioned. Much to the delight of organizers Karen Loper, who serves on the District Board and Barbara Quattro, Super Neighborhood #25 President and community activist, 42 beds were raised on the community garden groundbreaking work day on September 17. Over 150 volunteers were on hand to assist in the raising of the garden beds. On Saturday, November 19 another work day for the planting of the beneficial garden took place with volunteers once again showing up in force to assist. If you would like to learn more or become involved we encourage you to contact District staff or just visit the garden, located at the corner of Dairy Ashford and Beechnut adjacent to Youngblood Intermediate, and visit with the gardeners as you’re sure to find folks to provide information.
Boy Scout Creates Bulletin Board For Community Garden
Visitors to the SPARK Park on Beechnut at Dairy Ashford will now see a new addition to the already blossoming community garden there.
To fulfill his requirements to become an Eagle Scout, 18-year-old Daniel Barrera has designed and erected a covered bulletin board and provided the leadership for its construction. Barrera, a senior at Stratford High School, admits that he had a lot of help from his fellow Scouts in Troop 791, plus three who have already earned Eagle Scout status, and his dad, Jaime Barrera. Together, the father/son team acquired the wood, concrete, and other materials from Home Depot used to build a shelter with a back-to-back bulletin board. A portion of Barrera’s role was to provide leadership and direction for the construction of the project, which was completed at the end of January.
“It was a blast,” he said. “I hope it stays there for the next couple of decades.”
“One of the final things that a Scout has to do is create a community service project. This project was important to me because getting my Eagle was something I’ve been wanting to do since I joined the Scouts. The bulletin board will benefit the community garden by providing better communication for our community.”
— Daniel Barrera
Location:
Dairy Ashford at Beechnut
Click on the image below to view a full size map of the Alief SPARK Park & Nature Center’s location.
