Families, students, and community members gathered at Bear Branch Elementary School on Monday, May 5, to celebrate the dedication of the school’s brand-new playground inspired by the iconic song America the Beautiful.
Bear Branch Elementary is the seventh new campus to debut an updated playground during the 2024-2025 school year. This marks the district’s 17th new playground completed as part of Humble ISD’s ongoing campus playground revitalization initiative.
The celebration began with a performance by the Bear Branch Honor Choir, made up of talented 3rd through 5th grade students, followed by heartfelt speeches from students reflecting on what the new playground means to them.
In a special tribute to public service, members of the U.S. Coast Guard joined the celebration. Attendees had the unique opportunity to meet Petty Officer First Class Alati, Lieutenant Commander Peter Vasilarakis and Petty Officer Third Class Tromba.
A Closer Look at Bear Branch Elementary’s New Playground
The new “America the Beautiful”-themed playground brings the beloved lyrics to life through immersive, accessible, and imaginative play. Designed for children ages 5–12, the centerpiece is a towering 29-foot patriotic play structure, complete with a 20-foot slide and a majestic bald eagle perched above.
Additional features of the playground include a double zipline, a multi-tower structure and poured-in-place surfacing which features a military flyover and colorful designs that represent the “fruited plain” and “amber waves of grain.” Inclusive features include a “shining sea” Sensory Dome, tactile panels, and a wheelchair-accessible carousel that ensure that children of all abilities can participate in the fun.
Designed and installed by KOMPAN, the playground is open to the public outside of school hours.
