The Northwestern Richardson Beautification (NRB), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, was created by the JJ Pearce HOA as a standalone entity that services the JJ Pearce HOA Park. The JJ Pearce HOA Park is recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit organization, is recognized by the City of Richardson (COR) as a community beneficial pocket park and is recognized by the Richardson ISD as a community partner. The park land is owned by the Richardson ISD in agreement with the JJ Pearce HOA that the homeowners association can forever use the park if we maintain and improve the park for the community.
JJ Pearce HOA Park Features:
– Approx. 0.96 acres
– Sand Volleyball Court
– Pavilion with Picnic Tables
– Crushed Gravel Walking Path with Accessible Entries
– Little Free Library with Reading Benches
– Lighted Flagpole featuring US and Texas State Flags
– Lawn with Landscaped Berms and Stone Benches
– Commemorative Plaque
Support the JJ Pearce Park
The serenity and convenience of a park in our neighborhood comes at a financial cost which has largely been subsidized by gracious donors in the past, for whom we are truly grateful. To continue enjoying everything the JJ Pearce Park has to offer, as well as enhancing the value of our neighborhood and goodwill with Pearce High School, funding must continue. If you recognize the value of the JJ Pearce Park, we humbly ask that you consider donating to sustain its future.
Donate once or set up reoccurring donations with debit and credit cards, or using your PayPal account.
It Started With A Vision
A little history…
(published December 20, 2013 in Richardson Living; by Chris Coats)
J. J. Pearce Homeowners Association members are an active group of neighbors living on streets like Lilac Court and Grassmere Drive near the high school. These folks are known for being neighborly from hosting book clubs to potlucks to forming intramural football teams.
One project that the association has been working on for the past three years came to fruition on Monday with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the J. J. Pearce HOA Park, the unofficial name of a piece of land a little over half an acre in size located on the corner of Senior Way and Mimosa Drive. Bart Ord, vice president of beautification for the group, spearheaded efforts working with Richardson ISD, who is the owner of the property that is part of Pearce High School, city officials and members of the association, along with the community.
“This piece of property was a vacant lot used at times for stadium parking by folks,” Ord said. “It was an eyesore consisting of patches of grass, rocks and mud. The HOA wanted to do something with it to make our community better and we did.”
Thus sprouted to life the idea of a park, which took countless meetings, according to Ord with folks like Beverly Vance, principal at Pearce, the RISD Board of Trustees, the school district, city of Richardson officials, HOA members and landscapers once it was given the go ahead to convert it.
Ord led efforts among enthusiastic HOA members to raise $24,000 in funding for Phase I of the project for an extreme landscape makeover consisting of benches, a walking trail and landscaping. The funds were raised by donations from members, the Pearce High School Student Council contributed, and matching funds were provided by the city of Richardson to reach the 24K milestone.
And on Monday, members of the community and dignitaries mingled around the park during the ribbon cutting ceremony where Ord and HOA president G. Scott Waddell did the honors. In attendance were Vance, assistant principals John Wing and Rodney Beasley; Pearce student council sponsor Becky Keeton and several of her members; RISD Board of Trustees members Karen Holburn and Kim Caston; Texas House of Representative candidate Linda Koop; city of Richardson council members Scott Dunn, Kendal Hartley and Mark Solomon; RISD officials Bob DeVoll and Phil Lozano; city of Richardson assistant city manager of administrative and leisure services Shanna Sims-Bradish; director of Parks and Recreation Michael Massey; superintendent of parks maintenance Dan Baker and the person who Ord credits for being one of the originators of the park’s vision, Frances Blackley, the HOA’s former vice president of beautification.
Families have been enjoying this new piece of paradise amid suburbia where couples can be seen sitting on benches while kids are nearby playing kickball. Ord likes what he sees and is gearing up to tackle Phase II, which would include raising $25,000 for more landscaping, some trees and a small pavilion. He is hoping to secure corporate sponsorships. Until then, he can sit back and admire the work of hundreds.
“From day one, everyone working on this had a vision to make this property look good and we succeeded,” he said. “It’s been a challenge and we’ve had to persevere, but I’ve been blessed to be a part of it.”
Construction
Check our Community Calendar for events at the Park!
James Collins’ Eagle Scout Brick Pavers Project
Support our JJ Pearce HOA Park!
Girl Scout Silver Award Volleyball Court Renovation Update
The following excerpt is reprinted from the June 2021 JJ Pearce HOA newsletter:
My name is Jade and I am a 7th-grade Cadette Girl Scout working towards my Girl Scout Silver Award. Let me tell you a little bit about what a Girl Scout Silver Award is. The Silver Award is the highest honor a Cadette can achieve. The Silver Award in Girl Scouts is when Cadettes focus on an issue, learn the facts, take action and make a difference in their community. While doing it we gain confidence and skills that will lead us to long-term success. It brings the community together and helps people or places in need. It takes a great amount of time and dedication to complete it.
My friends and I visit the park pretty frequently, and hopefully, you
do too. You may have noticed the sand volleyball court needing a
little bit of work. Most of the preexisting sand has blown or just
washed away by rain and the outside lines have disappeared. For
my Silver Award, I will be updating the volleyball court. I will be
adding a drainage system, adding more sand, and installing a longlasting border around the court. With a drainage system in place,
we could prevent the court from filling up and creating a pool of
water. If we add more sand to the pit we will make it level and it will
actually cover the whole court. By updating and maintaining the
volleyball court it would be a more usable space. It would be a
more enjoyable place for families and kids to come. It is a great
place to go and have a picnic, play some soccer on the field, or play
a game of sand volleyball.
In order to make my Silver Award a success the NRB (Northwestern
Richardson Beautification nonprofit that maintains the JJP HOA
Park) needs to raise approximately $10,000 to support the work that
needs to be done.
Thank you all for coming to the Welcoming Spring Picnic, it was
such a great turnout! We had so much help and support there.
Thank you to everyone that volunteered their time and support, including the HOA board members and 10Pull. The NRB raised
over $1,100 from your contributions. What an amazing kick-off to their fundraising goal. Be on the lookout for future fundraising events in the park coming soon.
View the complete description of our GoFundMe campaign here.
Support our JJ Pearce HOA Park!
Girl Scout Silver Award Volleyball Court Renovation Update
The following excerpt is reprinted from the June 2021 JJ Pearce HOA newsletter:
My name is Jade and I am a 7th-grade Cadette Girl Scout working towards my Girl Scout Silver Award. Let me tell you a little bit about what a Girl Scout Silver Award is. The Silver Award is the highest honor a Cadette can achieve. The Silver Award in Girl Scouts is when Cadettes focus on an issue, learn the facts, take action and make a difference in their community. While doing it we gain confidence and skills that will lead us to long-term success. It brings the community together and helps people or places in need. It takes a great amount of time and dedication to complete it.
My friends and I visit the park pretty frequently, and hopefully, you do too. You may have noticed the sand volleyball court needing a little bit of work. Most of the preexisting sand has blown or just washed away by rain and the outside lines have disappeared. For my Silver Award, I will be updating the volleyball court. I will be adding a drainage system, adding more sand, and installing a longlasting border around the court. With a drainage system in place, we could prevent the court from filling up and creating a pool of water. If we add more sand to the pit we will make it level and it will actually cover the whole court. By updating and maintaining the volleyball court it would be a more usable space. It would be a more enjoyable place for families and kids to come. It is a great place to go and have a picnic, play some soccer on the field, or play a game of sand volleyball.
In order to make my Silver Award a success the NRB (Northwestern Richardson Beautification nonprofit that maintains the JJP HOA Park) needs to raise approximately $10,000 to support the work that needs to be done.
Thank you all for coming to the Welcoming Spring Picnic, it was such a great turnout! We had so much help and support there. Thank you to everyone that volunteered their time and support, including the HOA board members and 10Pull. The NRB raised over $1,100 from your contributions. What an amazing kick-off to their fundraising goal. Be on the lookout for future fundraising events in the park coming soon.
View the complete description of our GoFundMe campaign here.
2021 Little Free Library Update
Thank you Nick Mooney for updating and installing a new Little Free Library and the two benches. They will be used by all, and congratulations on your accomplishment – the Eagle Scout award!!
2021 Little Free Library Update
Thank you Nick Mooney for updating and installing a new Little Free Library and the two benches. They will be used by all, and congratulations on your accomplishment – the Eagle Scout award!!