Atascocita Springs Elementary is inviting families to celebrate its new dinosaur themed playground. Members of the public are invited to a brief dedication ceremony at 5 p.m. on May 20, featuring the ASE choir, student speakers, the ASE Cheerleading Club and the SCHS drumline. Comments will be made by Principal Cheryl Fennell.
The playground features prehistoric creatures, volcanoes, lookout watch towers and tropical jungles teeming with dinosaurs. Students at Atascocita Springs Elementary School can NOW experience a one-of-a-kind play environment!
As students approach the entrance to the playground, there is a custom entryway to give the experience of entering a Jurassic Park-like play space. Several life-like dinosaurs can be found throughout the playground including a T-Rex with the Oviraptor protecting her nest, a Triceratops that children can climb to reach a lookout deck and a freestanding Brachiosaurus as well as a swimming Stegosaurus in the river graphics of the poured-in-place (PIP) safety surfacing.
The dinosaur themed play experience also includes a 30’ tall volcano tower with two slides: one at 12’ and the other at 18’. The outside panel looks like hot lava, and inside the volcano, the panels look like cracked volcanic rock. A Pterodactyl is flying out of the top of the volcano, and another one sits on top of the swings.
To further immerse students into the dinosaur theme, Gingko Leaf toppers were used around the lookout tower, which includes an 8’ T-Rex that peeks back at you. Dinosaur footprints and a large fossil can be found in the PIP safety surface. Panels providing educational information about the dinos are located throughout the playground.
The playground also features traditional play and sensory rich components including various nets, climbers, traditional swings, swings with adaptive seats, GT TriRunner, interactive music ballas and more. This unique themed playground is sure to spark imagination, engage the senses and keep students active.
The playground at Atascocita Springs Elementary was designed and installed by Cunningham Recreation.
New or additional playground equipment, with themes focused on imaginative play and learning, is being installed at every elementary school on handicap-accessible, poured-in-place rubber surfaces instead of mulch, over the next five years. Elementary playgrounds at Humble ISD schools are open to the public when school is not in session.
Atascocita Springs Elementary is the sixth Humble ISD campus to debut an updated playground in the 2023-2024 school year. Earlier this month, Fall Creek Elementary opened its bugs world-themed playground. In April, Shadow Forest Elementary opened its Yeti Kingdom/Ice Castle-themed playground. In March, North Bend Elementary opened its ski lodge-themed playground. In December, Jack Fields Elementary opened its Space-themed playground, and Oaks Elementary opened its National Parks-themed playground in October.
It is the tenth new playground in the school district since the revitalization of the campus playgrounds began. Last school year, River Pines (Rainforest-themed); Elm Grove (Treehouse-themed); Park Lakes (Safari-themed) and Woodland Hill (Fairytale-themed) were all unveiled.