PHOTOS — Lakefront Park Playground, “To see something so beautiful and vibrant erected in its space is breathtaking”
Published 6:06 pm Thursday, November 16, 2023
Makai and Kyrie Mayfield, left, play on one of the new swings as their father, Mark, watches Thursday at the newly opened Lakefront Park Playground on Pleasure Island. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Port Arthur Councilwoman Doneane Beckcom, center back, pushes her granddaughter in the swing Thursday during the grand reopening of Lakefront Park. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Lyanna Izaguirre climbs on the new playground equipment. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Lakefront Park Playground on Pleasure Island features a nautical theme. (Mary Meaux/The News)
The park features a covered seating area where parents can sit and watch their children play. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Officials with the City of Port Arthur, Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce and Pleasure Island gather Thursday for the ribbon cutting. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Assistant City Manager Pamela Langford, left, Pleasure Island Director George Davis, Pleasure Island Advisory Board Chairman Simeon Queen, Vice-Chairman Charlie Lewis Jr. and Board member Paul Richard bow their heads for prayer at the start of the event. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Children are treated to Kona Ice at the event. (Mary Meaux/The News)
A child goes down the slide during the grand reopening of Lakefront Park. (Mary Meaux/The News)
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Simeon Queen stood back and watched Thursday as droves of youngsters from Wheatley School of Early Childhood Programs slid, swung, climbed and ran at the newly opened Lakefront Park Playground.
“This is a beautiful melting pot of Port Arthur,” Queen said. “It is love flowing. It is smiles. It is truly a privilege to be able to see.”
Queen, who is chairman of the Pleasure Island Advisory Board, called the new playground “evolution,” referring to the previous wooden structure, which had to be demolished for safety reasons.
“To see something so beautiful and vibrant erected in its space is breathtaking,” he said.
Wheatley student Ezekial Dugas stopped from playing for a moment to say the slides are his favorite part of the playground. His mother, Rhonella Coles, said she will be bringing Ezekial and his siblings to the park.
The previous structure was called Fun Island Depot and was built as a replica of the old Kansas City Southern train depot that was once located downtown.
Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds constructed the replacement, as well as the original structure.
Coles said she remembers coming to Pleasure Island when she was younger and playing at Fun Island Depot.
Pleasure Island Director George Davis said officials wanted Port Arthur children to be the first ones out at the park, hence the reason for inviting the students from Wheatley School.
Davis announced a water spray system is going to be added to help cool off children during the summer.
The new playground also includes a swing that can be used by an adult and baby/toddler and a saucer shaped swing, walking track, covered area with benches and rubber-like flooring.
