City of Norman Awarded $598,000 TSET Grant for New Accessible Playground

The City of Norman has been awarded up to $598,000 in funding through the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Fiscal Year 2026 Built Environment Grant program to support the replacement of the beloved Kid's Space playground at Reaves Park.

The grant includes up to $299,000 for Year 1 and, pending approval from the TSET Board of Directors, up to an additional $299,000 for Year 2. The funding will support the design and construction of a new highly accessible playground that honors the legacy of the original Kid's Space while creating new opportunities for children of all abilities to play together.

Kid's Space was originally built in 1999 through a community-wide volunteer effort. The all-wood play structure was constructed over the course of a week by dozens of volunteers and funded through community fundraising efforts.

The new playground will continue that tradition of community involvement. Norman Parks and Recreation plans to once again host a community build process, inviting residents to help bring the next generation of Kid's Space to life.

The updated playground will feature materials designed to resemble the original wood structure while offering a longer lifespan. Plans also include an accessible surface and inclusive play features designed to serve children of all abilities.

In addition to the playground improvements, the project will incorporate a public art element that pays tribute to the original Kid's Space build and the many volunteers and community members who helped create it nearly three decades ago.

"Kid's Space at Reaves Park has been a special part of Norman for generations," said Jason Olsen, Director of Parks and Recreation. "For so many families, it has been more than a playground, it has been a place where memories were made, friendships were formed, and our community came together. We're excited to create a new, more accessible space that reflects the needs of today's families while preserving the spirit of the original Kid's Space. And just like before, this project will be built with the help of our community."

The City is required to provide at least a 20 percent match toward the initial grant funding.

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026, with project completion anticipated in summer 2027 as funding is distributed over the two-year grant period.

The TSET Built Environment Grant program supports projects across Oklahoma that improve health outcomes through community design and infrastructure investments.

For more information about the grant, visit oklahoma.gov/tset/tset-grants-and-programs/tset-built-environment-grants.