Round Rock’s most beloved park is about to get even better.
The Round Rock City Council has unanimously approved the first major project in the next expansion phase of Play for All Park, a regional destination that has become one of Central Texas’s most popular outdoor spaces since opening in 2012.
The newly approved expansion will introduce a sustainability-themed play pod, designed to teach children about recycling, conservation, and environmental stewardship through hands-on play. The project includes a Republic Services–themed recycling truck slide, an interactive “recycling center,” and an accessible globe spinner designed for children of all abilities.
Work is set to begin this month, with completion expected in spring or summer 2026.
A Community Effort — and a Major Investment
The new play pod is funded through a partnership between the City of Round Rock and the Play for All Foundation, the nonprofit responsible for raising community support for the park for more than a decade.
Republic Services, the City’s trash and recycling provider, awarded a $250,000 grant to help launch the project. The remaining funding — a total project cost of $536,468 — comes from the 2023 general obligation (GO) bond packageapproved by Round Rock voters.
The partnership reflects the long-standing community involvement behind the park’s success. In the 2017 expansion, local businesses, service clubs, and residents raised nearly $600,000 in cash and an additional $400,000 in in-kind donations, helping nearly triple the park’s size.
A Park Designed for Every Child
Play for All Park was created with one mission:
to ensure every child — regardless of ability — has a place to learn, grow, and play.
The park features a variety of accessible play pods, sensory-rich environments, and wide-open spaces for children with disabilities and their families. It quickly became a regional attraction, drawing about 1,000 visitors per day and more than 3 million visitors since opening.
This latest expansion continues that mission, especially as the City prepares to replace Dennis’s Dream Playground, the original all-abilities play area built in honor of Dennis Seymore. His mobility challenges inspired his father to advocate for an inclusive playground long before the idea became a national trend.
Looking Toward the Future
As Round Rock continues to grow, so does demand for inclusive recreational spaces.
The Play for All Park expansion approved by voters ensures the city can continue meeting that demand well into the next decade. City officials say more improvements are planned in future phases, including updates to older structures and the introduction of new play environments.
For now, families can look forward to the sustainability-themed play pod coming soon — another step in keeping Play for All Park one of the most innovative and inclusive parks in Texas.
