Park Changes Spark Big Reaction and Bigger Questions.

Well, the news is now official.

The iconic robot at Benbrook’s Robot Park, along with the castle at Castle Park, is being retired as part of a broader plan to build a modern playground at Dutch Branch Park.

City renderings show the new park will include a creative nod to the original robot, but for many residents, the announcement still landed as a surprise.

Screenshot of the new concept plan for Robot Park, per the Parks and Board of Recreation meeting held on November 12th, 2025.

That surprise quickly turned into frustration, with many asking how such a beloved piece of Benbrook history could be phased out without them knowing sooner. The question being asked around town is simple.

Should the City of Benbrook have done more to notify residents beyond meeting agendas, website posts, and social media updates?

In response to the outcry, Benbrook Life took a closer look at where and how the plans for the Robot Park and Castle Park were shared. We found that the information was available but scattered across multiple platforms, making it easy to miss unless residents were actively following city meetings, agendas, and social channels.

Discussion of the park updates appeared across city meetings, Parks and Recreation Board notices, public open houses, surveys, and multiple City of Benbrook Facebook posts throughout October and November.

Here’s a brief, non-exhaustive timeline of the places and spaces in which Robot and Castle Parks’ discussion was mentioned:

Benbrook Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Set for October 8, published on October 4, 2025

Benbrook Plans $1 Million Upgrade to Dutch Branch Park, published on October 11, 2025

The City of Benbrook posted on Facebook on October 17, 2025, about an Open House at Dutch Branch Park (Robot Park & Castle Park area) on November 8, 2025, from 2-4 pm.

Benbrook Invites Families to Help Shape the Future of Castle Park and Robot Park, published on October 24, 2025

Residents Invited to Help Shape the Future of Dutch Branch Park, published on November 1, 2025

The City of Benbrook posted on Facebook on November 5, 2025, about an Open House at Dutch Branch Park (Robot Park & Castle Park area) on November 8, 2025, from 2-4 pm.

The City of Benbrook posted on Facebook on November 7, 2025, about an Open House at Dutch Branch Park (Robot Park & Castle Park area) on November 8, 2025, from 2-4 pm.

The City of Benbrook posted on Facebook on November 8, 2025, inviting citizens who were unable to attend the Park Open House to provide input by completing the Park survey.

Potter Keeps Community Service Going After Election, published on November 7, 2025.

Last Chance to Shape Castle Park and Robot Park, published November 10, 2025

Benbrook Life and several local Facebook groups (Positively Benbrook, Benbrook Residents, Fed Up Benbrook, Benbrook Advocates for Responsible Development, and likely many more non-public groups) also shared the information repeatedly during that time.

Still, the city’s newsletters did not mention Robot and Castle Parks in recent editions, which may be one miss that explains why some residents never saw the update.

The situation highlights a larger issue facing growing cities like Benbrook. Staying informed increasingly requires residents to opt in and actively follow multiple communication channels. While everyone is busy, missing those updates can mean learning about significant changes only after decisions feel final.

For residents who want to stay better connected moving forward, there are several tools available:

Residents can sign up for official City of Benbrook notifications at https://www.benbrook-tx.gov/list.aspx to receive emails or text alerts for agendas, news, and announcements. Be sure to confirm the subscription and allow emails from listserv@civicplus.com.
City newsletters and annual reports can be monitored through alerts at https://www.ci.benbrook.tx.us/191/Community-Newsletter-Annual-Report.
Following the City of Benbrook on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/benbrooktexas and on X (formerly Twitter) also helps surface timely updates.
Join the aforementioned Facebook Groups related to the Benbrook Community (see listed earlier in this article)
Residents can also download the KnowNow app, which delivers emergency and city alerts.

The reaction to Robot and Castle Parks makes one thing clear. We care deeply about Benbrook’s shared spaces and history.

While the vintage robot’s days may be numbered in exchange for a newer robot, the conversation it sparked is a reminder that staying connected matters. Missing one update can mean missing a moment that matters to the community.

For residents, whether through one channel or several, staying informed is the best way to ensure your voice is heard before the next significant change arrives.