These three downtown Fort Worth parks are getting upgrades. What can residents expect?

Fort Worth officials are discussing how they can upgrade three small downtown parks as public engagement and development grows in the area. 

Downtown Fort Worth Inc. last week announced a shared initiative between the nonprofit and the city’s park and recreation department to bring amenities to Lanham Plaza, John Peter Smith and Hyde parks. 

The initiative began out of conversations the nonprofit had with other organizations, including parks officials, about how to better manage the three spaces, Matt Beard, Downtown Fort Worth Inc. public improvement districts director, told the Fort Worth Report. 

The nonprofit currently manages Burnett Park and General Worth Square. The organization will apply that management system to the three other downtown spaces, Beard said. 

“By doing that, we could then enhance the level of maintenance as well as any amenities that we could do in those parks,” he said.

The move comes amid increased parks usage resulting from a growing downtown population, according to a Nov. 3 news release. Some of that traffic is being driven by major nearby projects, such as the expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center, the Texas A&M School of Law and development of more housing.

Downtown Fort Worth Inc. hosted a meeting Monday at which residents, business owners and members of the public were asked to weigh in on what they’d like to see more of in the three downtown parks. 

The nonprofit is still analyzing input from the public, but some of the main requests involved more lighting, park furnishings, more trash receptacles and a cohesive system of landscaping and planting, Beard said. 

Given the construction happening around the three areas, Beard said it is important for the parks to act as inviting spaces in urban Fort Worth. 

“It’s important for these parks to do more than what they’ve been so far,” Beard said. 

Fort Worth City Council member Elizabeth Beck, whose district includes downtown, emphasized the need for the public to offer recommendations on park enhancements.

“These parks belong to the community, and we want the people who will use these parks to help shape future improvements,” Beck said in the Nov. 3 release. “Their feedback will be an important part of shaping public spaces that are welcoming, functional and reflective of our city.”

Parks officials and Downtown Fort Worth Inc. will tap into a $500,000 pool in park dedication funds for downtown parks and pedestrian spaces. The funds consist of fees charged to developers when they construct new housing. 

In the development of GREENprint, Fort Worth’s parks master plan, city staffers hosted public meetings and focus groups to gather input. 

One of those focus groups called for more investment into downtown parks and converting surface parking lots into green spaces. 

The plan also lists a “central park” as a priority at the parks department. The space would connect natural areas at the Trinity River confluence, downtown Fort Worth and the future Panther Island to create a more connected system of the city’s culture and parks.

The renovations at Lanham Plaza, John Peter Smith and Hyde parks will come as improvements are ongoing at Burnett Park. 

Heritage and Paddock parks downtown are also nearing a 60% design completion for their redevelopment, according to the release.

Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at [email protected].

The Report’s environment coverage is supported by the Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation. 

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