LETTER: Downtown park’s return to the Museum District will benefit us all

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Those of us that are involved with the Big Thicket Association's Neches River Adventures program were thrilled to read your article about the Riverfront Park restoration that is scheduled to begin this month. After this popular city park was destroyed during Harvey, we have relied on Collier’s Ferry Park as our number one docking pier and park for our Saturday Public Eco-History tours, our Private Charters and our Environmental Education Classes aboard our “floating classroom,” the Ivory Bill. We are looking forward to the park’s restoration and the ability to utilize both locations going forward.

Collier’s Park has served us well because of the accessible boat dock, restrooms, covered pavilions, playground, walking trails and large parking area. However, we have missed being able to use Riverfront Park and its downtown location in the Museum District. Since 2013, our program has provided over 23,000 area students and passengers from around the world with a one-of-a-kind learning experience. Our tours give our passengers a chance to experience our scenic Neches River ecosystem as they travel into some of the backwater channels of the Big Thicket National Preserve.  Surprisingly to most, the Big Thicket Preserve is very close to downtown Beaumont. We applaud the City of Beaumont and our Parks Department for their great work maintaining Collier’s Ferry Park and for the restoration of the very popular Riverfront Park. The park’s return to the Museum District will be a great addition to downtown and will provide much enjoyment to area citizens and the many tourists and visitors that come to Beaumont.