It was an honor to join Commissioner Andy Meyers and members of our Fort Bend County community for the ribbon-cutting and official opening of Galaxy All-Abilities Park in Precinct 3, and it’s the kind of project that reminds you what local government is capable of when it plans with everyone in mind.
The 1.6-acre park sits at 151 Stadium Drive in Sugar Land, right alongside the Precinct 3 Annex in the Imperial neighborhood, and it carries a space theme as a nod to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, whose stadium is just half a mile away. It’s the first all-abilities park funded by Fort Bend County, built with $1.6 million from the county’s voter-approved 2020 and 2023 parks bonds. The design includes a fully wheelchair-accessible playground, interactive sensory walls with different textures and shapes, covered seating and shaded rest areas, and the rocket-themed play equipment that gives the park its personality. Every one of those choices was made so a child using a wheelchair, a child with sensory sensitivities, and a child who just wants to run around a rocket ship can all play on the same equipment, at the same time, together.
Commissioner Meyers put it well when he said that in one of the most diverse counties in the nation, it’s essential that we honor unique differences while building environments where everyone shares a sense of belonging. Sugar Land Mayor Carol McCutcheon, who joined the celebration along with City Council Member Suzanne Whatley, County Clerk Laura Richard, and Judge Dean Hrbacek, said something that stuck with me too: this park is more than a playground — it’s a place where barriers are reduced, friendships are built, and every child has the opportunity to participate and belong.
I was especially pleased to see accessibility and inclusion placed at the heart of the park’s design, not treated as an afterthought. That distinction matters. A lot of public spaces get accessibility features bolted on after the fact to meet a minimum requirement. Galaxy Park was designed from the ground up so that ability never determines who gets to play and who has to sit on the sidelines. You could see exactly what that meant in the smiles, laughter, and excitement from the kids testing out the equipment for the first time.
This isn’t a one-off, either. Fort Bend County has a second all-abilities park underway in Fulshear — Super Dave’s All Abilities Park, named for David “Dave” D’Andrea, a founding member of Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 169 in Cross Creek Ranch. That project, funded at roughly $3.4 million, shows this isn’t a single ribbon-cutting moment but a genuine county-wide commitment to inclusive recreation.
Congratulations to Commissioner Meyers, his Precinct 3 team, and everyone whose planning, hard work, and commitment helped bring this investment to completion. Galaxy All-Abilities Park is a wonderful addition to Fort Bend County and another example of how we continue building a stronger and more welcoming community.
