You won’t believe your eyes when you join us Thursday morning for the 2013 Parks Build Community dedication of Shady Lane Park. With a giant tree climbing structure, gators galore and more, you’ll see why the local community near Shady Lane Park has dubbed it their own “Disneyland.” The heavily renovated park looks like none other. Combining elements of a nature park and restorative green space, education center, water play areas and active recreation, this reference is seemingly accurate. And it all comes together with a purpose — turning a flood-prone area into an attractive amenity for an underserved Houston community.  The Shady Lane project was made possible through a donation by GameTime and collaboration between the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Harris County Flood Control District, Talley Landscape Architects and other contributing partners.

Feel the pride of the continuing tradition that is Parks Build Community and experience what happens when you bring together national and local partners to develop and deliver a premier public park with all the community-building benefits to locations that need it most. Add attending the Shady Lane Park dedication on Thursday, October 10, at 10:30 a.m. to your Congress calendar. Transportation from the George R. Brown Convention Center will be provided.  Buses will depart from Hall C at 9:45 a.m., first-come, first-served.