Pigeon Point Park celebrated the grand reopening of its playground on Monday, following almost ten weeks of renovations and improvements to make the play area safer and more accessible for all. The new upgrades, which include the replacement of all of the older playground equipment with new, state-of-the-art equipment, mark a milestone in a project shaped by months of community input and city planning.
The grand reopening was held in the park at 1:00pm on July 28th, with city officials and neighborhood residents braving the heat for the ribbon cutting celebration. “We’re not just cutting a ribbon,” said Mayor Phil Cromer, “we’re opening a new chapter for Pigeon Point Park.” The Beaufort Mayor praised the city staff, project partners, and residents for their collective work towards the success of these renovations, which focused largely on safety, accessibility, and preserving the neighborhood feel of the park.
With shady oaks, open green space, and proximity to the waterfront, Pigeon Point Park has long been cherished by the community. The updated playground is expected to draw even more use, especially as families seek safe and shaded places for children to play during the remaining summer weeks. Renovations began on May 14th, which included a full replacement of the aging playground equipment, but left the surrounding natural features untouched – no trees were removed and no construction took place outside of the designated play area. Residents and community members were first able to enjoy the new updates during the playground’s “soft opening” on July 17th.
The project’s success was due in large part to the active engagement of the Pigeon Point neighborhood and residents who offered input throughout the planning and design process. Their feedback helped shape everything from the layout of the new play structures to decisions about color schemes, materials, and accessibility features. Their voices ensured the final result reflects the needs and spirit of the local community.
With modernized equipment, the revitalized playground is designed to grow alongside Beaufort’s youngest generation. The space invites not only play, but connection among neighbors, families, and visitors. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when a city listens, collaborates, and invests in its public spaces. With the nearby Pigeon Point Landing project on the horizon and citywide conversations continuing around public spaces like Waterfront Park, the success of future projects will depend on residents staying engaged and at the table.
