What We Believe
Welcome to fun abounds! Serving your park and rec needs in Houston and Southeast Texas. We proudly represent commercial playground equipment by BCI Burke, Berliner Play Equipment, and ID Sculpture. We also carry site amenities by USA Shade, Rubber Designs, StayFit, Frog Furnishings, MyTCoat and Percussion Play. It is with great enthusiasm and passion that fun abounds was started in 2007 to further enhance the park and rec offerings in this area. Please call today and let us know how we can help with your project.
Meet our Team
Leigh Walden
President
It all started with a … swingset. 12 years later fun abounds is still serving Southern Texas’ park and rec needs, and owner, Leigh Walden, couldn’t be prouder of her company’s success. After Leigh’s husband experienced a layoff, she had no other choice but to help support her family. Emboldened by her daughter’s love of swinging tinged with necessity, Leigh started selling playgrounds. Almost instantly, what started as a necessity transformed into a passion for helping clients create playground memories filled with fun. As a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI), Leigh also prioritizes safety and functionality in every project.
Mike Giehl
Vice President of Sales
Mike has been in the park and rec business since 2009, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to fun abounds! When he’s not working, he loves spending time with his wife, son and the three pooches. Together, they like to hike in the hill country and enjoy the lakes. He has even been known to run through a sprinkler or two on those hot, Texas summer days!
Sarah McClure
Business Development Manager
Sarah McClure graduated from the University of Missouri with a double major in Communication and Political Science, with a minor in Public Service and Leadership. Before entering this role, she has worked a variety of jobs including working for a Congress member, being a marketing director, working as a Parks and Recreation Director, and most recently as an aquatics specialist with American Red Cross. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her family (including her two dogs.)
Payton Palmer Newton
Business Development Manager
Payton Palmer Newton is a recreation enthusiast who possesses a BS in Exercise Science from Colorado State University – Pueblo and a MS in Recreation Administration from Texas State University. Payton has several years experience working in a number of roles in the recreation field including: athletics, outdoor recreation, event planning and guest services. Payton is passionate about the essential role that recreation plays in the lives of people of all ages and he is motivated to help develop playgrounds in a way that can contribute to lifelong memories for all families who visit them. When not working Payton enjoys watching sports, playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family.
Ruben Cardenas
Outside Sales Representative
Ruben Cardenas is an experienced sales professional, communicator and innovator. He was born in the Rio Grande Valley. Ruben has a passion to help create engaging public destinations, with compelling designs, uncompromising safety, unique innovation and long lasting quality. When he is not working Ruben loves camping fishing or a beautiful day on the beach with his family.
Ellie
Office Manager
Ellie comes to us with a long line of exceptional customer service positions. Always excelling and most often has become the right-hand person to top execs. Her positive attitude and can-do mentality earns praises from all of us at fun abounds. She loves her dog, Piper & cat, Chester and is currently building a home with her boyfriend, Seth. In her free time, Ellie enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as fishing and traveling anywhere there is a beach.
fun abounds received an Eagle Award from Burke for over $2 million in Sales in 2019.
fun abounds received several sales awards at the Burke Awards Banquet in Kissimmee, Florida, January 2019.
fun abounds received a “Top Dealer” award by Burke in 2016.
fun abounds received an Eagle Award in 2018 from Burke.
fun abounds was named a “Top Dealer” by Burke in 2017.
Why our clients love fun abounds!
Check out this client testimonial about a project we completed in Brookshire, Texas. We pride ourselves in working with our clients to create customized and unique playgrounds the community can enjoy for years to come. At fun abounds we are proud to be a part of creating playground memories filled with fun!
Drone video from Decker Elementary playground in Austin, Texas!
fun abounds appreciated the opportunity to work with Manor ISD to help them create this incredible playground for students at Decker Elementary! We loved incorporating the client’s desires into a new playground that their students will love for many years to come! Check out this drone video captured by our sales representative Mike Giehl, and see how we can help you create playground memories filled with fun like we do for every client!