Fort Worth city officials, together with the nonprofit Downtown Fort Worth Inc., are moving forward with plans to improve three small downtown parks—Lanham Plaza, John Peter Smith Park and Hyde Park. The effort follows a recent public‑engagement meeting and is funded by a $500,000 pool of park dedication fees collected from new housing developers.
Collaboration between city and nonprofit
Matt Beard, director of public improvement districts for Downtown Fort Worth Inc., explained that the nonprofit, which already manages Burnett Park and General Worth Square, will apply its management system to the three downtown spaces. “By doing that, we could then enhance the level of maintenance as well as any amenities that we could do in those parks,” Beard said.
Public input shapes the upgrades
At a meeting held on Monday, residents, business owners and other members of the public were asked what they would like to see in the parks. While the nonprofit continues to analyze the feedback, several recurring requests have emerged: more lighting, additional park furnishings, extra trash receptacles and a cohesive system of landscaping and planting.
Why the upgrades matter now
The push for improvements comes as downtown Fort Worth experiences growing usage. A November 3 news release cited increased foot traffic driven by nearby projects such as the expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center, the Texas A&M School of Law and new housing developments. City Council member Elizabeth Beck, whose district includes the downtown core, emphasized that the parks belong to the community. “Their feedback will be an important part of shaping public spaces that are welcoming, functional and reflective of our city,” she said.
Funding and broader park plan
The $500,000 dedication fund is sourced from fees charged to developers constructing new housing in the area. This money will be allocated to the three parks as well as other downtown pedestrian spaces. The upgrades align with Fort Worth’s broader GREENprint parks master plan, which includes public meetings and focus groups to gather community input. One focus group specifically called for more investment in downtown parks and the conversion of surface parking lots into green spaces.
Future park projects
In addition to the three parks slated for upgrades, Fort Worth is advancing redesigns of Heritage and Paddock parks, both nearing 60 % design completion. The master plan also identifies a “central park” that would link natural areas at the Trinity River confluence, downtown Fort Worth and the future Panther Island, creating a more connected system of cultural and recreational spaces.
Next steps
Downtown Fort Worth Inc. and city parks officials will continue to review public comments and refine design concepts. Residents can expect further updates as the projects move from planning to construction, ensuring that the downtown green spaces remain inviting and functional for a growing urban population.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
