Fun after dark
Texas' first glow-in-the-dark playground to light up in Farmers Branch
Joya will be filled with interactive, LED-illuminated features.
Fair warning to parents: A new Dallas-area playground will have kids wanting to stay up past their bedtimes. Joya at Oran Good Park in Farmers Branch, set to open this summer, will be the first glow-in-the-dark playground in DFW and all of Texas.
Meaning: When the sun goes down, the true fun begins.
"Joya will be an inclusive glow playground that, while fun in the daytime, will come alive at night with interactive features that glow, allowing for day and evening play," a description on the Farmers Branch website says. (Watch a video rendering here.)
Translated as "jewel" in Spanish, Joya will feature both a main playground (for ages 6+) and a tot playground (for ages 2 to 5).
The main playground will span about 18,000 square feet, and highlights will include:
- 27-foot sphere with 6 levels of climbing, swings and slides
- Zip line with interactive lights
- Spin Zone with LED lights
- Swings
- Obstacle course
- Glowing seating
The 7,000-square foot tot playground will be in a fenced area and include:
- Lit seating area under custom shade structures
- Turf embankment play
- Natural sensory play area
- Two gated entrances
- Ground level and ramp structured play
- LED uplit spin zones
Oran Good Park is located at 13300 Dennis Ln., at the corner of Tom Field Road and Valley View Lane, in Farmers Branch.
According to Local Profile, it will open in late August and will offer not just a fun, light-up playground for the kids, but also activities for the whole family, with daytime and nighttime events year round.
The project is funded by a $750,000 grant from the State of Texas Parks & Wildlife and $4,000,000 from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, the city says.
"The Oran Good Park location was strategically selected for Joya not just for its central location and visibility but also for the unique topography and natural features of the site, most of which will stay intact," the website says. "The location features Farmers Branch Creek and walking trails which will remain."
As part of the planning process, city staff studied potential environmental impacts an negative effects of light pollution. All of their specifications are expected to meet International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and National Audubon Society guidelines, they say.
"A riparian buffer will be planted around the creek to help with runoff, pollutants and erosion, and will invite wildlife." they say. "Birds, toads, butterflies, and all other creatures will exist in perfect harmony at Joya."
To keep up with the park progress, visit the park's website and follow along on Facebook.
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Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange