By Ann Marie Shambaugh
ashambaugh@neighborsgo.com

Prairie Creek Elementary’s newest classroom has a gravel floor, stone seating and a ceiling of tree branches and leaves.

Located just across the street from the school building, Discovery Point in Prairie Creek Park is one of more than a dozen outdoor classrooms used by students in Richardson ISD. But it is the first and only one to be funded primarily through private donations from HOAs, PTAs, garden clubs and neighbors.

The city of Richardson contributed $40,000 for planning, design and construction and bid documents. Discovery Point is on land owned by the city, which it will maintain, helping to provide a place for students — and the community — to study in a serene environment.

“I think [this type of partnership] is the future of how projects like this will get done,” said Laura Maczka, former parks commissioner and newly-elected city council member who is also involved in the Canyon Creek HOA, Prairie Creek PTA and Prairie Creek Garden Club.

Prairie Creek Park’s master plan has included an outdoor classroom since 2002, but the grassroots effort began to take shape a couple of years ago when residents realized the city did not have enough money to pay for the $170,000 outdoor classroom in the near future. 

“The citizens came to us and said, ‘We really want this project, and we’re willing to pay for it on our own,’” said Michael Massey, Richardson’s director of parks and recreation.

Private donations funded the $127,000 in construction costs, with work starting at the end of last school year. A ribbon cutting ceremony officially celebrated Discovery Point’s opening on May 4. But students at Prairie Creek have been using the space for months.

“What’s amazing is you can take a normal math class out there and it changes up the whole make of the class,” PCE principal Kyle Stuard said. “Attention seems to be better, because it’s a change of atmosphere.”

Sixth-grade student Jack Watson said holding class outdoors helps him learn.

“It’s quieter, and it’s a lot more peaceful,” he said.

PCE classes meet in Discovery Point almost every school day, but they’re not the only ones using the classroom space. Scout Troops, garden clubs and neighbors frequently use the space for meeting, learning and relaxing.

KEEPING IT NATURAL

Discovery Point is within walking distance of Prairie Creek Elementary, but it’s easy to miss behind a wall of trees and brush. Developers wanted to keep a natural design that’s easy to maintain.

“The upkeep will be minimal, and that was intentional,” Maczka said. “What we didn’t want to do was burden the city with an additional playground to take care of, so we’re letting everything grow naturally.”

Massey said they city’s regular maintenance plan consists of emptying the trash regularly and going through the area with a leaf blower occasionally.

“The whole point of Discovery Point was to try to create a light footprint on the park to preserve as much nature as possible,” he said.

— AMS

THE FUNDS

Discovery Point received donations from 107 groups and individuals. The major donors are:

• Prairie Creek Garden Club, $50,000

• Prairie Creek Elementary PTA, $25,000

• Canyon Creek HOA, $10,000

• Richardson Central Rotary, $5,000

Canyon Creek North Garden Club, Cottonwood Creek Garden Club and 26 individuals and families donated more than $1,000 each. More than 70 individuals and families gave gifts of $25 to just less than $1,000.

Ann Marie Shambaugh is the Richardson/Lake Highlands/Far North Dallas neighborsgo editor and can be reached at ashambaugh@neighborsgo.com or 469-330-5689.