Gateway Park armadillo, citywide aquatics plan draw attention of park board

A giant armadillo sculpture and a proposed expansion of Fort Worth’s public swimming facilities were the major items before the city’s Park & Recreation Advisory Board Sept. 23.

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The board received a preview of a proposed 11-foot-tall bronze armadillo sitting atop a seesaw that’s planned for the east side of Gateway Park, near the entrance to the disc golf course. The Fort Worth Art Commission approved the artwork by Tucson artist Trevor O’Tool the previous evening. The project has a $534,500 budget from the city’s 2018 bond program.

Adam Neese, a member of the public art management team at Arts Fort Worth of Fort Worth Public Art, said the sculpture was designed to be playful and interactive. Although the city will not encourage visitors to climb on the artwork, he said the expectation that people would interact was considered in the design. 

The armadillo will sit about 3 feet off the ground at its lowest point and be engineered to withstand a load of up to 4,500 pounds. Neese pointed out that a structural and a geotechnical engineer were involved in the planning given the site’s location in a floodplain.

The board chose the sculpture’s location for its visibility to motorists and pedestrians and its proximity to the park’s disc golf entrance. The project is scheduled to be on the board’s agenda next month for approval and advancement to the Fort Worth City Council for final approval.

2026 Aquatics Master Plan

The board unanimously endorsed the city’s 2026 Aquatics Master Plan, which proposes expanding the city’s network to 10 outdoor pools, 46 lap lanes, six spray grounds, and four indoor pools. The city now owns and operates Forest Park Pool, Marine Park Pool & Aquatic Center, and the Sycamore Spray Ground. It has partnerships with Eastside YMCA and the William M. McDonald YMCA.

Adelaide Leavens, a member of the master plan’s steering committee, urged the board to approve it, pointing to the Forest Park Pool as an example of what can happen when residents push for improved aquatic facilities. She said expanded access is important not only for recreation but also for helping children become comfortable and safe around water and potentially reducing drownings.

Leavens was concerned that the plan didn’t establish a timeline or specific goals for the improvements. Board chair Jason Baldwin echoed that concern, saying the plan needs follow-up advocacy for funding so that it doesn’t simply remain on a shelf. 

Members also unanimously endorsed master plans for Anderson Park and Sendera Ranch Park, which were previously presented to the board.

Park & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Documenter: Lou Chapman

Date: Sept. 23, 2026

Learn more about this meeting by clicking here. For the agenda, click here.

Lou Chapman is a member of the Fort Worth Report Documenters crew. If you believe anything in this account is inaccurate, please email us at [email protected] with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Disclosure: Adelaide Leavens is president at the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation, a financial supporter of the Fort Worth Report. At the Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.