The Benbrook City Council met on January 5 for its regular meeting, which was recorded and remains available for public viewing. As part of the meeting, residents were invited to share input on several agenda items before the council moved into a closed work session.
Among the topics open for public comment were options for the Robot playground structure, updates to the city’s Floodplain and Stormwater Management Program, and a proposal to align board and commission member terms with the fiscal year rather than the calendar year.
The future of Robot Park drew the most emotion in the room.
Longtime Benbrook resident Karen Dixon stepped forward to speak on behalf of the iconic robot playground structure that has anchored childhood memories for generations. In her allotted time, Dixon urged council members to consider preserving the robot in a new form, suggesting it be transformed into a memorial art piece that could remain in the park alongside the existing brick features. She also suggested a community fundraiser to support that effort.
Moments later, her son-in-law, Zebulon Freeman, echoed that message, expressing support for new playground improvements while emphasizing the importance of respectfully and safely repurposing the robot rather than removing it entirely.
Only two residents spoke during public comments, though several attendees and many online later thanked them for showing up and speaking on behalf of the community. Many residents had emailed council members in advance, grateful that their concerns were reinforced in person.
The discussion also sparked broader frustration about how residents are notified of meetings and decisions.
Some community members said they had signed up for city email alerts yet received no notice about the meeting, leaving them feeling shut out of the process. Others stressed that while online feedback matters, in-person participation remains one of the most effective ways to be heard.
While council deliberations on Robot Park and other items continued behind closed doors, for many, the hope is that future decisions reflect not only plans for what comes next, but respect for what has already shaped the community.
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