Developers behind the new Peppa Pig Theme Park held a groundbreaking ceremony in North Richland Hills on Wednesday.
Located next door to the popular NRH20 Family Water Park on Texas 26, the 14-acre park is expected to cement the area’s reputation as a destination for family-friendly activities.
“This central location will make it perfect for an amusement park of this type. It just fits,” explained Mayor Oscar Trevino at the groundbreaking ceremony on June 28, according to Fox 4.
As previously reported in The Dallas Express, Peppa Pig is a British cartoon show that has grown in popularity on this side of the pond over the past few years. Grapevine Mills Mall opened its Peppa Pig World of Play in 2019, and three years later, the very first Peppa Pig Theme Park opened in North America in Winter Haven, Florida.
An important feature of the North Richland Hills location will be its rides and attractions, including the Daddy Pig roller coaster, Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure, Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride, and Muddy Puddles Splash Pad.
The North Richland Hills park should open just in time for Peppa’s 20th anniversary in 2024, according to Fox 4. With construction now underway, staff recruitment will start later this year.
Children were among the pink-bedecked construction crew tasked with digging into the pink sand during last week’s ceremony.
Organizers of the groundbreaking ceremony explained to the crowd that the new theme park will give kids a chance to “play, oink, and splash to their heart’s content” in a vibrant and engaging space, according to Fox 4.
The endeavor to bring the world of Peppa Pig to life through rides, interactive shows, and more is spearheaded by Merlin Entertainments and Hasbro.
Neither company is any stranger to the juvenile entertainment market. England-based Merlin Entertainments behind Legoland Parks and Sea Life attractions around the world, whereas Rhode Island-based Hasbro is a leading toy manufacturer.
“The success of the Peppa Pig Theme Park has been phenomenal, and we are excited to embark on the journey again with our friends at Merlin to bring another park to the city of North Richland Hills, Texas,” Matt Proulx, Hasbro’s vice president of location-based entertainment, explained during last Wednesday’s event, according to Local Profile.
“We cannot wait for more guests to create lifelong memories with Peppa and her friends,” Proulx concluded.