For generations of Benbrook families, the robot at Robot Park inside Dutch Branch Park has been more than playground equipment. It has been a rite of passage, a backdrop for family photos, and a shared memory passed from parents to kids.
That is why news of its removal has stirred strong emotions across the city.
Those concerns surfaced publicly at Thursday night’s City Council meeting, when Councilmember Renee Franklin suggested photographing the robot to preserve its place in Benbrook history as a historical record before it is removed.
In response, Bennett Howell, the City of Benbrook’s Director of Public Services and lead contact for the Castle Park and Robot Park equipment replacement project, said the City of Benbrook will not be capturing official photos or recordings.
According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the nearly two-million-dollar Castle Park and Robot Park replacement project is scheduled to begin January 1, 2026, and conclude by July 1, 2026. The project includes removing and scrapping the existing playground structures, including the robot.
With that timeline in mind, longtime resident Emily Moore has stepped forward with a simple, community-led idea. Before the robot comes down, she hopes to gather residents for a one-time group photo in front of the robot, giving families a chance to document and say goodbye to an iconic piece of Benbrook history.
To make the gathering accessible, Moore is proposing a Sunday afternoon date that is still being determined. She is also seeking local volunteer photographers to help capture an elevated group photo and a drone operator to document the entire playground before changes begin. Moore says the effort would require no City of Benbrook resources and only minimal coordination.
Meanwhile, as word has spread, the response from residents has been swift and emotional. Many have shared childhood memories tied to the robot, while others have questioned why it could not be repaired or preserved. Some residents have noted that a new robot is planned as part of the updated park, though that has done little to ease concerns about losing the original.
Those who would like to help, volunteer, or stay informed can connect with Emily Moore through the Fed Up Benbrook Facebook group.
For many in Benbrook, this conversation is about more than a playground. It is about honoring shared history before it disappears.
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