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Uvalde Unites: Reopening Studer Park and Memorial Park After July Flooding
August 17, 2026
In a heartwarming display of unity and pride, KABOOM!, City of Uvalde, and El Progreso Memorial Library, are excited to announce a community-wide effort to reopen Studer Park and Memorial Park following the July flooding. This initiative serves as a testament to Uvalde’s resilience and commitment to fostering a connected community.
Community Day: A Day of Unity
Join us on August 22 for Community Day, when volunteers will have the opportunity to come together in a hands-on effort to help reopen Studer Park and Memorial Park. Volunteers are invited to gather at Memorial Park at 8:30 AM to replace and rake mulch, then move to Studer Park around noon.
"Seeing the devastation that the flooding brought not only to people’s homes but to parks that our community helped put together was heartbreaking. I know there is so much work that needs to be done, and that our parks are not our priority. Our community, along with KABOOM!, will be able to come together to restore Studer Park and Memorial Park for all of our children of all ages and can give everyone a day to think of something else and feel a bit of joy again,” stated Gloria Resma, Parks and Recreation manager for the City of Uvalde.
“This effort is about more than restoring parks. It is about neighbors coming together, creating community and joy, while doing some light volunteering to restore spaces that belong to our children and families. There is no obligation to volunteer, but light help and the community spirit would be appreciated to restore these community spaces,” said Tammie Sinclair, Director, El Progresso Memorial Library. “Bring your family. Bring your neighbors. Let’s rebuild these parks for our children and for the generations that will follow. Put Uvalde pride into action!”
How to Get Involved
Your presence and community spirit are all we ask. If you would like to volunteer on August 22 at Studer Park and Memorial Park or donate in some way, you can sign up at volunteer.kaboom.org or scan the QR code below.
Building on a Strong Foundation
The collaboration between KABOOM!, the City of Uvalde, El Progreso Memorial Library, and ideas42 builds on ongoing efforts to strengthen community ties. Recognized with the Trust in Practice Award, these organizations have demonstrated their commitment to centering community voices and creating meaningful change. This shared vision will guide the rebuilding process, ensuring that Studer Park and Memorial Park once again become vibrant spaces for children to play, families to gather, and neighbors to reconnect. Together, we can put Uvalde pride into action and create lasting memories for generations to come.
Click the link to volunteer or learn how you can help at: volunteer.kaboom.org
El Progreso Memorial Library, KABOOM!, and ideas42 Awarded 2026 Trust in Practice Award
May 21, 2026
El Progreso Memorial Library, alongside KABOOM! and ideas42, has received a prestigious 2026 Trust in Practice Award from Allstate and the Aspen Institute’s Alliance for Social Trust! This award brings $1 million in funding to support ongoing efforts to strengthen trust, connection, and healing in Uvalde through joy-centered play and civic engagement. Together, our organizations will design, build, and activate vibrant playspaces while testing scalable, community-driven models that foster long-term connection and local pride.
Read the full press release: 2026 Trust in Practice Award
Learn more here: 2026 Trust in Practice Awardees
Watch: Celebrating the 2026 Trust in Practice Awardees
Mendell Morgan awarded Librarian of the Year by TLA
We are very pleased to announce that Mendell Morgan was named Librarian of the Year for 2024 by the Texas Library Association.
Story can be found on the front page of the Uvalde Leader-News for Sunday, April 21, 2024, for more details.
(newspaper subscription required)
"Uvalde library offers joy, relief after Texas school shooting"
"Uvalde's public library is becoming a hub of "hope and inspiration" for a community coping with a fatal shooting of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School by providing fun kids activities and counseling on grief. The director of El Progreso Memorial Library, Mendell Morgan, sees the building as a neutral safe place for those directly or indirectly effected by the shooting to explore ways to discuss the tragedy or to get their mind off things.
Thousands of unsolicited gifts have been flooding into the Uvalde library including children's books, care packages and money to support programs."
---Indiatimes.com
"Uvalde considers how namesake of Robb Elementary should be remembered after the school is torn down"
"In the midst of their grief, Uvalde residents are also considering new ways to still honor Annie Robb — the school's namesake.
Some community members are determined to recover the educator's noble legacy from the shadow of unforgettable tragedy."
---TPR.com
"A local public library helps Uvalde families after the school shooting"
"The residents of Uvalde, Texas are doing everything possible to deal with the emotional scars left by this week's deadly school shooting.
Prayer services are being held, and the family members of victims are receiving counseling."
---CGTN.com
"FAMILIES HONOR OKC MURRAH BUILDING BOMBING VICTIMS"
"This year Oklahoma City welcomed Tammie Sinclair, an archivist, out of a library in Uvalde, Texas.
"In our archives, we have newspapers, we have photos, we have artwork," said Sinclair.
Tammie said she's thankful that she could connect to those here in the city and hopes to take what she learned back to Uvalde.
"We are trying to make the collection meaningful for the families. So how can we take this community experience and bring it back to our community," said Sinclair."
---News9.com