Editor’s note: Early voting for Fort Worth’s May 2 election opens April 20. In the lead-up, the Report is breaking down each bond proposition and charter amendment on the ballot. Find the other articles here as they are published.
Fort Worth could see long-awaited park improvements and more open space protections if residents vote in favor of a $185 million bond election May 2.
The $185,140,000 park, recreation and open space bond is Fort Worth’s second-largest proposal in the city’s six-part, $845 million bond package.
What are municipal bonds?
State, city and county governments issue debt securities to fund capital projects and public infrastructure such as roads and streets, public schools and utility systems. In exchange for the loan, the issuer agrees to make regular interest payments and return the original payment or principal.
The $185 million is up from $124 million issued for parks in the last bond. The parks bond comes in response to residents who voiced strong support and expectations for park improvements and amenities, said assistant parks director Joel McElhany.
This year’s parks package marks the city’s second bond election to include expenses on open space. In 2022, voters approved $15 million to conserve open space.
“Acquiring open space is sometimes different than a traditional park,” McElhany said. “But our open spaces are maintained by the park and recreation department. There’s a natural synergy between open space and parks.”
At the top of this year’s bond package for parks and open space are community centers. The bond sets aside $35 million for improvements at the Northpark YMCA and the renovation of the Atatiana Carr-Jefferson Community Center at Hillside, McElhany said.
The proposition would also fund $25 million in new park amenities and a master plan solely for Gateway Park, one of Fort Worth’s eight metropolitan parks.
Spanning 800 acres in east Fort Worth, residents have previously called on city leaders to prioritize visibility for the city’s largest park.
As a result, residents formed the advocacy group Gateway Park Action Coalition. The organization launched last year with the mission to help bring the park’s master plan to life.
The bond would fund new amenities at Gateway including a soccer field, a playground, connectivity to the Trinity Trails system and more roads and parking.
Redevelopment of the park is slated to break ground by the summer.
Community parks named in the 2026 bond program will each receive a chunk of the $29.5 million city leaders proposed for those areas.
Alliance Park in far north Fort Worth would receive the most funds than any other community park with $10 million.
Trinity Park would get $6 million for the development of its master plan, including trails, public restrooms, security lighting, erosion control and other amenities.
The city is prioritizing investment into older parks with aging amenities, McElhany said.
“The community park is meant to serve as the hub for those areas,” he added.
Tarrant Regional Water District officials announced last year they would contribute $200,000 to the installation of lighting and signage along the Trinity Trails. The 100-mile trail system is maintained by various entities, including the water district and Fort Worth officials.
Residents frequented past water district board meetings demanding more safety measures at the trails.
Glenwood Park is also a natural area residents have long advocated for. Through the program, $2 million will bring amenities and renovations to life at the 37-acre park.
In 2022, TCU faculty, southside residents and community members formed the Fort Worth Climate Safe Neighborhood Coalition to beautify and lead litter pickups at the park.
Residents also led the development of Glenwood’s master plan to ensure flood planning and amenities such as basketball courts, pavilions and a new playground are incorporated into the natural area.
North Z. Boaz Park will receive $17 million in bonds to fund an aquatic center. The facility is a project named in its master plan, alongside other amenities such as more playgrounds, athletic fields, and courts and pond restoration.
City leaders approved a $12,000 donation from nonprofit Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association late last year for North Z. Boaz. The donation will bring security lighting to the trail that revolves around the park.
Also slated to see improvements and construction through the parks bond are the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Water Gardens.
Construction was scheduled to start at the zoo in February to introduce a new exhibit and other upgrades. The future High Plains & Prairies exhibit will house prairie dogs, foxes and deer.
The $24.5 million bond earmarked for the zoo and the two city-owned facilities will go into replacing utilities and other building upgrades, McElhany said.
Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org.
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