Round Rock City Council has approved the first project in the next planned expansion of one of the City’s most popular parks.

Round Rock City Council on Thursday, Dec. 4 unanimously approved an agreement with Whirlix Design for the purchase and installation of play equipment associated with the expansion of Play for All Park, which was approved by voters in the 2023 general obligation (GO) bond package.

The contract will allow for a new sustainability-themed play pod to be added to the southwest portion of the park, partly due to a $250,000 grant from Republic Services to the Play for All Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that has been involved in fundraising for the park since its inception. The remaining funds for the $536,468 project will come from the voter-approved 2023 general obligation bond package.  

Republic Services currently provides trash and recycling services to City of Round Rock customers. The equipment includes a Republic-themed recycling truck slide, an interactive “recycling center,” as well as an interactive wall with accessible globe spinner.

Work on the sustainability-themed play pod is expected to begin this month, with an anticipated spring/summer 2026 completion.  

Play for All Park, located at 151 N. A.W. Grimes Blvd., opened in 2012 but quickly proved to be one of the City’s most popular outdoor spots, leading to an initial expansion in 2017. At that time, local businesses, service clubs and citizens partnered with the Play for All Foundation to raise nearly $600,000 in cash and approximately $400,000 of in-kind donations toward a $2.25 million 2017 expansion. That $2.25 million effort nearly tripled the park’s size. 

The park was developed with the goal of providing all children, regardless of ability, with the opportunity to play and develop skills in a fun, outdoor environment.  

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department estimates that Play for All Park draws approximately 1,000 visitors per day. It has welcomed over 3 million visitors from across the state since it opened, according to the Play for All Foundation. 

The expansion approved by voters is also expected to include replacement of the 14-year-old Dennis’s Dream Playground, the original all-abilities play area at Play for All Park. The structure is named for Dennis Seymore, whose mobility challenges inspired his father to advocate for an inclusive playground where children of all abilities could play together.

For more information on the 2023 GO bond package, visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/bond.