Texas Statewide Education and Funding Initiative

This is an opportunity for you to learn the latest research, best practices, and design options for creating parks and playgrounds that activate communities, enrich childhood, and promote healthy lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities.

Growing Fast. Funding Is Competitive.

Williamson County is one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas. With growth comes pressure on parks, schoolyards, and public spaces to serve more families, more ages, more needs.

This session will help Georgetown and surrounding communities:

• Navigate the funding opportunity from GameTime

• Build inclusive, intergenerational spaces that scale

• Create parks and playgrounds that encourage physical activity for people of all ages and abilities

If your community is expanding, your play and recreation strategy should be expanding too.

Smart Investment for Mid-Size Communities

Abilene and surrounding West Texas communities face a different challenge: doing more with focused budgets while maintaining long-term durability.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

• Leverage GameTime's funding opportunity

• Phase projects strategically

• Design spaces that activate community pride and economic vitality

Rural and mid-size cities have unique advantages. Let’s make sure you know how to leverage them.

High Density. High Impact.

Serving a diverse, high-density population requires intentional design. Inclusion isn’t optional here. It’s essential.

At this event, we’ll cover a wide range of educational topics, including:

• Designing for multigenerational use in compact spaces

• Maximizing impact per square foot

• Aligning recreation planning with equity goals

If your parks serve thousands, your strategy must serve everyone.

Growth Along the Gulf Corridor

Communities near the Houston metro corridor are evolving quickly. New development means new opportunity.

We’ll focus on:

• Activating new residential growth with best practices for parks and recreation

• Building identity through personalized play and gathering spaces

• Funding strategies that align with development timelines

As your community grows, your parks can shape the story. Let’s design them intentionally.

Director of Education: Programs, Partnerships & Professional Development

Jennie has worked with children and families of all abilities for more than a decade. Her formal training and experience in early childhood education, exceptional learning, special education, and assistive technology allow her to have a meaningful influence on program and product development.  Jennie is responsible for programs and partnerships that help build communities through play and she leads PlayCore's community outreach providing continuing education to professionals across the country.

Each educational event includes lunch and all educational materials covered in the session, including research and evidence-based guidebooks and curriculum from leading play researchers and universities.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Arrival & Networking Lunch

12:00 - 12:15 PM Welcome & Initiative Overview

12:15 - 1:45 PM Education Session: Supporting Community Health & Wellness

1:45 - 2:00 PM Overview of Statewide Initiative Funding Opportunity

2:00 - 2:30 PM Next Steps & Closing

Lunch, educational resources, and continuing education certifications will be provided. CEUs will be provided for a total of 2.0 Professional Development Hours (0.20 IACET CEU / 2.0 AIA HSW LU / 2.0 LA CES HSW PDH) for learners meeting outlined requirements. CEUs can be applied toward NRPA CPRP/CPRE renewal. The instructor of this learning event is employed by PlayCore and discloses interest in participants partnering with PlayCore on their play and recreation initiatives.

• Summarize three evidence-based design best practices to create high-quality outdoor play and recreation destinations
• Discuss model projects, positive community outcomes, and the health and wellness benefits of inclusion, physical activity, and nature
• Outline the collective impact findings of visitor sentiments and the usage outcomes from play and recreation projects across North America
• List five tools/resources to assist with the planning of outdoor play and recreation destinations

• Funding assistance provided by GameTime must be used towards the purchase of a qualified playground structure.
• Other freestanding play products are available at our best pricing through Omnia Partners.
• Representatives from TRAPS , GameTime, and PlayCore will select qualifying projects to be considered for funding assistance.
• Orders must be installed by December 2026 through GameTime’s exclusive representatives in Texas.
• Funding can only be applied to additional GameTime playground equipment purchases and only in conjunction with the original purchase.
• GameTime standard policies and warranties as listed in the 2025/2026 Playground Design Guide apply.
• Freight, installation, surfacing, material surcharges, and applicable sales tax are extra and not included as part of the funding program.
• To qualify for 100% matching funding assistance, the list price of the qualifying playground system must exceed $40,000 and be purchased with cash with the order.
• GameTime funding is subject to rounding rules and may vary based on qualified purchases.

• For award recipients who wish to bring fitness to their communities, separate funding assistance will be available for GT Challenge Course with the funding amounts dependent on the course selected.
• Preconfigured adult outdoor fitness packages are also available to receive funding assistance based on the packages selected.
• Contact your Texas GameTime representative for a list of qualifying adult outdoor fitness packages.
• Freestanding playground products are available through the GameTime Omnia Partners contract.
• No other offer, discount, or special programs can be used with this funding program.
• All applications must be validated by the project administrator. GameTime reserves the right to decline any application for the TRAPS funding initiative.
• Matching funds offer applies to PowerScape® (including Spire®, Altus® and Aventus® Towers), PrimeTime® (including the Odyssey®), Xscape®, and Modern City®, and The Stadium® play systems only. Up to 50% matching funds for select outdoor fitness equipment, including THRIVE®, Challenge Course, and The Stadium®