Planning and Urban Design was awarded a KaBOOM! Play Everywhere Challenge grant for design and implementation of the Buckner Terrace – Sidewalk Sportscape. The Play Everywhere Challenge, powered by Target made four awards to the City of Dallas for a total of ten projects throughout the Dallas area. The goal of the Play Everywhere Challenge is to inspire play in unexpected, but everyday spaces.
The Sidewalk Sportscape was the conclusion of a 20-month partnership between the City of Dallas and the Buckner Terrace-Skyline neighborhood to address safety and security in a highly concentrated apartment community within the Buckner Terrace neighborhood through the City's Neighborhood Plus Target Area initiative started in January 2017.
The goal of the project was to transform sidewalks between Skyline High School and Guzick Elementary School into interactive sports-themed play areas in order to provide hope, smiles, fun and inclusion to children of all ages living in a neighborhood often neglected and facing adversity.
Planning & Urban Design partnered with HNTB to assist with for the project design and management. Community artists, Sven Nicholson and Derrick Walker along with Skyline High School students, Education is Freedom, and residents transformed sidewalks along Chariot Drive into interactive sports themed play areas with positive messaging for pedestrians to and from Skyline High School, Guzick Elementary School, and other destinations.
From its inception, Buckner Terrace Homeowners Association was a collaborating partner and graciously sponsored a Neighborhood Block Party to coincide with project installation. On August 28, 2018, partners and residents celebrated the completion of the project with a ribbon cutting ceremony, popsicles, and bubbles.
Special Thanks to our KaBOOM! partners
- Buckner Terrace Homeowners Association
- City of Dallas AmeriCorps VISTA members
- City of Dallas Transportation Department
- Eastminster Presbyterian Church
- Education is Freedom
- Guzick Elementary School
- HNTB Sparks in Action
- Skyline High School
- Social Ink!
- Spanish Ridge Apartments / Granite Development
- 7ART
