Renovated pumpkin carriage is back in park
Local children and their parents celebrated the renovated pumpkin carriage and its move into the new children’s play area at a Family Day in March at River Oaks or Pumpkin Park, 3600 Locke Lane in River Oaks.
The bright orange carriage was refurbished to Americans with Disabilities Act standards,
Susan Cooley, president of Friends of River Oaks Park, has worked closely with the Houston Parks and Recreation department on upgrades to the playground and the carriage.
“The biggest part of the renovation around the playground was bringing the pumpkin back to code,” said Cooley.
The Parks department got a grant in 2013 and partnered with the nonprofit Friends of River Oaks Park to focus on a design for the playground.
“The city has really let the neighborhood have a real voice in what felt like a blank canvas for us to develop,” said Kelli Bridges, playground renovation chairman.
The park project cost $686,000, said Estella Espinosa, communications manager for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, in an email.
“The refurbishing of the pumpkin coach was separate from the project cost and it cost $70,000. The Friends of River Oaks Park provided $18,500 for picnic table and bench upgrades.”
About the park
The park was established in
1938 while the River Oaks subdivision was in development.
Besides the pumpkin carriage, the 5-acre park has tennis courts, trails and two playgrounds catering to different age groups of children.
Some of the renovations included new playground equipment for younger and older children, new swings, new picnic table and bench upgrades, new pergola and decks. And of course, the restored pumpkin.
Among the renovations was the addition of a Wishing Tree Grove, sponsored by a local family.
The Wishing Tree Grove consists of three apricot trees. Visitors to the park can hang tags with their wishes on the branches.
Although the city has provided a grant for playground renovation, Friends at River Oaks Park have raised more than $250,000 overall toward park improvements, Cooley said.
Cooley has gone doorto-door in the neighborhood to get donations for park projects.
A recent project, “Leave your mark on Pumpkin Park,” allows donors to purchase personalized pavers, with proceeds focused on improving the community center, which is used for after-school activities.
“The most exciting thing is being able to share the park with future generations,” said Anne Kahle, who has frequented the park for more than 30 years.
Jean Leary has been coming to the park for more for more than 60 years.
She says she now brings her grandchildren to the park.
“I think the renovations are just fantastic,” she said.