Greathouse Park: Where Community Play Meets Spaceport Inspiration

A Vision Beyond the Ordinary

In the heart of West Texas, Midland is a city known for its energy industry, vibrant community, and growing infrastructure. Nestled between Fort Worth and El Paso, this city offers a surprising range of cultural and recreational opportunities—from museums and historical landmarks to welcoming parks. When the Midland City Council announced in 2014 the development of its 32nd neighborhood park, excitement sparked across the community. The six-acre park, to be located next to Midland Elementary School and a local residential recreation center, would serve as a critical addition to the neighborhood.

But this wasn’t going to be just any park.

The Challenge

As part of the planning process, the City of Midland put out a request for quotes on the playground portion of the project. The specifications included a play structure for both 2–5-year-olds and 5–12-year-olds, shade structures, and site amenities. It was a standard request—until Design Consultant David Kitch of Playgrounds Etc. saw an opportunity to deliver something far more imaginative.

Rather than proposing a typical setup, Kitch set out to create a playground that would reflect Midland’s character and highlight a unique part of the city's identity that even the City Council hadn’t considered.

The Inspiration: Midland’s Aerospace Connection

During his research, Kitch uncovered a fascinating local development: in 2014, the Midland International Airport became the first commercial spaceport in the United States licensed by the FAA to handle both airline traffic and human spaceflight. This pivotal moment in the city’s evolution served as the perfect launchpad for the playground's theme.

With this discovery, Kitch partnered with Superior Recreational Products’ Senior Design Engineer Nathan Guice to customize a space-themed playground concept that not only met the city’s practical needs but also celebrated its aerospace ambitions.

“We fit a niche for them that they didn’t expect to see,” said Kitch. “We did the research to find what would make them stand out from just another playground.”

The Solution

The result was a playground that’s truly out of this world.

The design included a large space-themed environment that immediately resonated with city leaders. It was both budget-friendly and visually stunning—a winning combination that paid homage to Midland’s spaceport status and gave local children a unique and exciting play experience.

Key features of the Greathouse Park playground include:

• 🚀 Retro Rocket-Themed Play Structure for ages 5–12
• 🌕 Moon Base-Themed Play Structure for ages 2–5
• 🪑 Custom Rocket Bench
• 🌀 Spin-About Rotating Toy
• 🛝 2-Bay Single Post Swing Set
• 🌤️ Sand Dollar Sail Shade Structure
• 🍽️ Rectangular Portable Picnic Tables
• 🚮 Trash Receptacles

From imagination-fueled play to thoughtful seating and shade, every element was designed to offer both function and flair.

“I think we hit a home run,” said Kitch. “We hit their price point and we had a product that they thought was cool because they had just become a space port.”

Greathouse Park is more than a playground—it's a community centerpiece that tells a story. Thanks to the creative vision of Playgrounds Etc. and the collaboration with Superior Recreational Products, Midland gained not only a vibrant new neighborhood park, but also a play space that reflects its aspirations and identity.

For a city aiming for the stars, this playground is just the beginning.

Want to bring a themed playground to your community? Contact Playgrounds Etc. to discover how we can turn your vision into an unforgettable destination.