A glow-in-the-dark playground is coming to Farmers Branch

Dallas - In an innovative step forward in family leisure, North Texas welcomes a new, vibrant enterprise. The Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department revealed plans on Monday for a groundbreaking glow-in-the-dark playground situated in Farmers Branch - the first of its kind in the nation.

The playground park Joya means “jewel: in Spanish

The playground, named 'Joya', which translates to 'jewel' in Spanish, will be a grand 18,000 square foot play area. The park promises conventional daytime amusement that will beautifully morph into a radiant oasis filled with glow-in-the-dark elements as nightfall occurs, offering extended possibilities for evening leisure.

Farmers Branch, proudly known as the "City in a Park", currently houses 27 verdant parks, 13 playgrounds, and a flourishing natural reserve within its city limits. The city officials, through their digital platform, shared their reason behind choosing the name 'Joya'. They foresee this park, despite the city's many parks, as the crowning glory of Farmers Branch.

Joya to be located in Oran Good Park, at the corner of Tom Field Road and Valley View Lane

The innovative playground, to be located in Oran Good Park at the intersection of Tom Field Road and Valley View Lane, will be intricately decorated with LED lights. Park features range from a massive 27-foot climbing sphere with six levels of climbing, covered in a thick mesh, to swings, slides, a challenging obstacle course, ziplines, an LED-lit spin zone, and seating that eerily illuminates at night. Further enhancing the inclusive aspect of the park is a 7,000-foot playground for toddlers, replete with a natural sensory play area.

'Joya' will serve as an engaging venue for a variety of scheduled activities. These will include family-centric events, artistic and cultural festivities, as well as a plethora of educational initiatives. The creation of this unique playground was inspired by detailed data analysis, gleaned from focus group conversations with children, who were charmingly referred to as the true "fun experts" by the officials.

Joya is set to open in the fall months

The roots of this revolutionary venture were planted back in November 2021 when it received approval from council members. Funding was secured through a blend of federal and state grants, including appropriations from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act and the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife, coupled with corresponding city funds. Joya is expected to welcome the public by this fall.

This inventive initiative comes on the back of a recent declaration by North Richland Hills, another city within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, about the impending inauguration of a Peppa Pig Theme Park—only the second of its kind in the country. This announcement was swiftly followed by the revelation that Universal Studios is ready to introduce its first-ever child-oriented theme park in Frisco.

Credit: Dallas Metro News, 'Joya', Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department