A new playground for every Eagle
SPARK PLAYGROUND
Our playground was installed in 1999. The PTA is raising $250,000 to replace it with equipment that can be used by every Helms kid. Reaching our goal by March 2027 means a new playground by the start of the 2027–28 school year.
With community support, our children can have a safer and more engaging place to play. The funds raised will replace the play equipment, plant more trees, and improve the overall park play area! Since the timeline is aggressive, we need to move quickly! Unfortunately we expect limited support from SPARK and HISD, so we must raise the money ourselves.
raised of our $250,000 goal
$28,767
Concept rendering. Final design subject to change.
BOOSTERTHON · OCT 15 – OCT 23
Our kids are running for a new playground
100% of the PTA's Boosterthon proceeds go to the SPARK Playground and count toward our $250,000 goal.
1 · REGISTER
Sign up your student on Booster to get their pledge page.
2 · SHARE
Send the page to grandparents, neighbors and friends.
3 · CHEER
Come cheer / volunteer to the Fun Run on Oct 23 via upcoming sign-up in class chats.
Why a new playground
Our play structure was dedicated in November 1999. The curly blue slide splintered and was removed, and a yellow panel now seals the spot where it used to be. One slide is left, and is undersized for kids ages 5 to 12 years old.
The bridge broke in 2025 and again in 2026. Repairs were made using parts just as old from a closed HISD campus. The rubber coating on the decks is failing and rusted metal shows through.
May Recreation, the company that installed it, has told us the structure, at 27 years old, is well beyond its life expectancy.
What your gift builds
Here is what the $250,000 goal makes possible.
New play structure (~$175,000)
Built for every age. We will remove the 1999 structure and replace it with age-appropriate climbing and slides. The shade structure will remain.
Shade trees (~$5,000)
A row of trees along the western fence, chosen with kids in mind will provide additional shade, such as: bur oaks, Mexican sycamores, red maples, swamp chestnut oaks and magnolias. We hope to add about five trees.
Additional enhancements
Reaching the $250,000 goal allows us to restore the walking path and replace seating. We hope to incorporate the previously student-made tiles.
Design and scope will be finalized based on funds raised.
The plan
NOW
Helms PTA is working with vendors to determine what fits the available space within our proposed budget.
FALL 2026 · PHASE 1
Plant the shade trees, so they're established before the new structure goes in.
MARCH 2027
Reach $250,000. Hitting the goal by then guarantees delivery and installation on time.
START OF 2027-28 SCHOOL YEAR
The new playground is ready for students.
Helms has done this before
Families, neighbors and SPARK have been adding to this park for years. We are keeping as much as we can from these prior improvements and the new structure will work alongside them.
2018
Shade structure, funded by parents and the community
2020
Synthetic turf field, replaced with new turf in 2026
2022
Gaga ball pit
2023
Inclusive swings, an ADA ramp and a music-making sensory station (music station is damaged so will be removed)
Other ways to help
Ask about a company match
Many employers match their employees' gifts, and some double or triple them. Chevron, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil also give $500 volunteer grants once employees log 20 hours at Helms.
Helms Elementary PTA
503 W 21st St,
Houston, TX 77008
EIN 74-6086204
hello@HelmsPTA.org
Share this page
Send helmspta.org/playground to grandparents, neighbors and friends who love Helms.
Tell us about a potential donor
Know a local business or family foundation that might sponsor part of the playground? Email hello@HelmsPTA.org.
Questions
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It's our school fun run. Students collect pledges from family and friends, then run at the Fun Run on Oct 23. 100% of the PTA's proceeds go to the new playground and count toward our $250,000 goal.
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Yes. Helms PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 74-6086204. Keep your checkout confirmation email for your records.
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Yes. Email hello@HelmsPTA.org and we'll tell you where to send it.
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By the start of the 2027–28 school year. To guarantee that, we need to raise the full $250,000 by March 2027. Shade trees go in this fall.
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Yes. The Helms community will get a chance to weigh in before any decisions are made.
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Anything above the goal will go to other outdoor improvements at Helms.
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It's a concept rendering from our playground vendor. The final design may change as plans are finalized.
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Yes. Add their name in the appropriate field once you’ve added your donation to the cart.