BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont residents now have a better idea on when upgraded playground equipment is coming to their neighborhood parks.
This week, the City of Beaumont unveiled new equipment at Babe Zaharias Park, which is part of a $1.4 million upgrade to city parks.
But, those who live near the Charlton-Pollard Park are left wondering when their new equipment is set to arrive.
President of the Charlton-Pollard Community Association, Christopher Jones, is filled with frustration and anger.
"That doesn't make it okay, it's not okay. We're just here waiting for a play area to be reinstated when we have another park or other parks that have play areas," Jones said.
That million-dollar parks fund was split between Charlton-Pollard, Combest, Central and Babe Zaharias Parks.
So far, only Babe Zaharias has received its new equipment.
"Two or three months ago, we were looking at sometime in October. It's October 31st," Jones said.
When asked about the delays, Beaumont City Manager Kenneth Williams blamed supply issues.
"There's been supply issues in the United States for some time now and this is no exception to that. We were just notified this week that the equipment was still delayed," Williams said.
He says as far as Babe Zaharias Park goes, they don't have much control over when orders come in.
"It just so happened that some of them came in quicker than others," he said.
The City of Beaumont says the estimated completion of the playground for Charlton-Pollard is end of November, pending equipment delivery.
The estimated timeline for equipment delivery is November 10-15, 2023., installation begins on November 16-22, 2023 and the completion of the playground is November 23-30,2023.
Charlton-Pollard Park is getting a major upgrade with the replacement of the playground equipment, selected by neighborhood children. All playgrounds are custom built for each site. Timing varies based on what is selected. These estimates are subject to change based on supplier’s delivery updates.
Jones wishes the city had done something for kids in the meantime.
"Build another play area it's not that hard, install some swings. Do something besides have the youth wait," Jones said.
Williams says Combest and Central Parks' playgrounds are scheduled to arrive early 2024.
On Tuesday, July 11, 2023 the Beaumont City Council debated how and where to spend money on parks around the city.
A decision was made to spend $79,000 of the $1.4 million total budget on new playground equipment for Combest Park and Babe Zaharias Park.
Combest Park hasn't had a playground since 2022 and Babe Zaharias has never had one.
Councilman Mike Getz was hoping to spend the money on a new pavilion at Rogers Park.
"I'd like to see the money that's currently being considered to purchase playground equipment at Zaharias Park be reallocated to put a covered shelter, a pavilion, at Rogers Park," Councilman Getz previously told 12News.
He says that there isn't enough space for families at the park right now.
This issue had been up in the air for two weeks and Beaumont leaders are happy to have come to a decision.
"I'm very happy that we were able to get additional equipment in Babe Zaharias. It's one of the largest parks. A lot of people go out there for soccer," said Ward 3 Councilman Audwin Samuel.
Councilman Getz was hoping that the council would have voted separately.
"I would have voted no on the issue of putting playground equipment at Zaharias Park," said Councilman Getz.
But there is still hope for a pavilion at Rogers Park.
"Councilman Samuel actually said he agreed to support a pavilion at Rogers Park. That's very encouraging to me," said Councilman Getz.
Councilman Samuel's decision was made after hearing about the committee's plans.
"I believe there is a need over in Rogers Park for a covered area. However, this project at Babe Zaharias was recommended by staff. It was reviewed by the committee and they also recommended it, and I respect the process," said Councilman Samuel.
Councilman Getz says that the pavilion can be put in next year's fiscal budget.
"We're still in the budget planning process. I think that we can look at least having a covered pavilion there in the very near future," said Councilman Getz.