After more than two decades, a key piece of Fort Worth’s Panther Island is expected to break ground in November.
A groundbreaking will be held for Panther Island’s canals and three-acre park, located at the former home of the Coyote Drive-In movie theater, on Nov. 30, according to a press release.
The pavilion that used to be a place for Coyote moviegoers to have dinner, play video games and watch the sunset before the main attraction will remain and become a part of the park.
Panther Island’s four canals — three on the northern island, and one on the southern island, according to Tarrant Regional Water District planning documents from 2025 — will be flanked by “paseo” paths.
The canals will act as stormwater infrastructure for the island while promoting recreational activity, according to that document.
A construction contract was awarded in late September for the northern portion of the bypass channel, the other portion of what is often called collectively Panther Island (but they are two distinct projects).
Construction is expected to begin on that bypass channel this winter or in early 2027 and wrap up in 2029.
The canals and the first phase of Panther Island development can proceed independently of the bypass channel, according to that TRWD document.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Emily Holshouser is a local news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.