Updated May 5, 2025
This event will be relocated to the cafeteria due to potential bad weather in the forecast.
Humble ISD invites families and community members to celebrate the grand opening of Bear Branch Elementary’s new “America the Beautiful”-themed playground. A dedication ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 5, at Bear Branch Elementary, located at 3500 Garden Lake Drive.
The event will feature a special performance by the Bear Branch Honor Choir, made up of talented 3rd through 5th grade students, along with student speeches.
During the event, the U.S. Coast Guard will showcase Chief Simba, a trained K9, along with the dog’s handler, Petty Officer First Class Alati. Lieutenant Commander Peter Vasilarakis and Petty Officer Third Class Tromba will also be in attendance, providing the community with a special opportunity to meet Coast Guard members and learn more about their service.
Inspired by the beloved song “America the Beautiful,” the playground brings the lyrics to life through immersive play features.
Designed for children ages 5–12, the playground showcases a towering 29-foot patriotic play structure complete with a 20-foot slide and a majestic bald eagle perched above. Children can soar through “spacious skies” on the double zipline or explore a military flyover depicted in the ADA-accessible poured-in-place surface.
From “amber waves of grain” adorning the swing set to the “fruited plain” represented by four unique swing seat styles, each element captures a piece of the song’s iconic imagery. Young adventurers can climb the “purple mountain majesties” after journeying through the multi-tower “alabaster cities” play structure. Near the Statue of Liberty, the Cliff Rider challenges students with an exciting swing-across experience.
The “shining sea” Sensory Dome offers inclusive play with tactile and optical panels, rollers, and other sensory-friendly features. A wheelchair-accessible carousel provides opportunities for all children to enjoy spinning play together, while additional rocking and spinning equipment is scattered throughout the playground for continuous fun.
This new playground marks the 17th installation in Humble ISD’s ongoing campus playground revitalization initiative and is the seventh unveiled during the 2024-2025 school year. The playground was designed and installed by KOMPAN.