Sidewalk Obstacle Course

How Creative Waco and the McLennan County Health District turned student designs into interactive sidewalk art at parks and schools across McLennan County.

Site Partner

McLennan County Health District; City of Waco Parks & Recreation

Year

2026

Location

McLennan County, TX

Lead Designer

Various

The problem

Families and students across McLennan County needed more inviting ways to get active outdoors. Parks, recreation centers, and school campuses had sidewalk space that could do more—and public health partners wanted playful, creative ways to encourage movement, not programs that disappear after a single event.

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How we helped

Creative Waco partnered with the McLennan County Health District to grow a sidewalk chalk effort that began in 2020 into a county-wide public art program. Students at schools and summer camps design interactive obstacle courses; professional artists paint the winning designs at parks, recreation centers, and campuses across Waco, Crawford, Bellmead, Lacy-Lakeview, Lorena, and surrounding communities.

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Creative Waco coordinates artist teams, community engagement, and installation logistics—including working with the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department on site selection, barricading, and power-washing sidewalks before paint goes down.

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Results

Since 2021, the program has installed more than 20 student-designed sidewalk obstacle courses across McLennan County, turning everyday paths into places for outdoor play, movement, and neighborhood pride. Courses are placed close to where participating students live and learn, so families can enjoy them long after installation day.

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“I love seeing students’ art come to life in community spaces by local professional artists. It’s truly special to celebrate and value the kids' creativity in this way for the community to enjoy. It’s a true example of beautification in our community while encouraging families to be physically active in a creative way.”

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— Christy Perkins, Public Health Education Specialist, Waco–McLennan County Public Health District

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Partners

Creative Waco and the McLennan County Health District, a joint cooperative entity between the City of Waco and McLennan County, lead this project in collaboration with local schools and community partners. The City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department supports site preparation and installation logistics. Creative Waco has also partnered with Parks and Recreation in Bellmead/Lacy-Lakeview, Lorena, Crawford, and area schools.

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Artists

2026