Tugboat Island to be restored, volunteers needed
Published 7:27 pm Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Port Neches-Groves students were asked to draw what they wanted the park to include when they were in elementary school were on hand for the unveiling Monday. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Eric Sullivan, a member of Restore Tugboat Island, introduces Ed Hogenson, in back, whose generous donation to the project allowed it to move forward. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Restore Tugboat Island committee members pose for a photo. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Restore Tugboat Island committee member Chad Anderson speaks to the crowd. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Port Neches Mayor Glenn Johnson was part of the construction crew with the first Tugboat Island. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Port Neches-Groves students were asked to draw what they wanted the park to include when they were in elementary school were on hand for the unveiling Monday. (Mary Meaux/The News)
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PORT NECHES — The dream of rebuilding Tugboat Island was met with a number of obstacles over the past four years but now the dream will become reality.
Eric Sullivan, a member of Restore Tugboat Island, stood at a podium in front of the vacant land where the playground once was and updated the crowd on the fundraising that has taken place and the need for volunteers.
It takes a community
Constructed and funded by volunteers, the original playground was built by volunteers over an 11-day period in 1996.
The award winning playground was demolished in 2020 due to deterioration and aging of the structure.
Port Neches resident Rita Morgan stepped up with the idea of raising $1 million for a new playground on par or better than the old one.
Morgan said she was elated when asked her thoughts on the project coming to fruition.
“I can’t believe it’s finally coming true, Morgan said Monday after a brief ceremony and the unveiling of signage.
She noted the obstacles Sullivan had mentioned, hurricanes, an explosion and COVID.
“We did have obstacles that tried to take us down. It may have taken us a little longer but I’m just ecstatic, it’s finally getting done. We have our build dates and we’ve been excited waiting to just have this announcement.
Fundraising
The fundraising goal was met with the help of supporters such as Port Neches Towing, Neches Federal Credit Union, Port Neches Riverfest, TPC Group, Evening Optimist, Corbin Trust, and Fish-O-Rama.
The road to getting the necessary funds wasn’t easy. Sullivan recalls getting calls from donors wanting to know if the park was gong to get building and if not they would take their money elsewhere.
Then one day a man came in and put the total over the top.
The man is Port Neches resident Ed Hogenson.
Hogenson said he is fortunate to be “a natural saver” and he had some money. He felt the Tugboat Island project was a good cause so he stepped up and made a donation.
Hogenson was presented with a picket bearing his name that will be placed at the park.
The total collected is about $50,000 short of the amount needed so organizers are going to place 600 pickets for sale at $100 each and let the purchaser place their family’s name on them.
The pickets are not yet for sale.
Volunteers
Committee member Chad Anderson said they have 5,000 volunteers lined up for a 10 day construction project. There are coordinators to handle any task needed from general construction to food to child care and more.
The park is 126,000 square feet in size.
Build dates
Week one:
Wednesday, Feb 19
Thursday, Feb. 20
Friday, Feb. 21
Saturday, Feb. 22
Sunday, Feb. 23
Week two:
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Thursday, Feb. 27
Friday, Feb. 28
Saturday, March 1
Sunday, March 2
To volunteer or for more information, go to tugboatisland.com
