Ft Worth Times

What is happening? Funding proposed for the City of Fort Worth’s Park & Recreation Department to maintain open and green space.

What’s the benefit to taxpayers? Residents will have new amenities such as trails, parks and green spaces to enjoy.

What’s next? City Council will vote on the FY2024 budget on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

 

The Park & Recreation Department maintains 299 parks and public spaces citywide, for a total of more than 13,000 acres of parkland. The department also maintains green spaces that include medians, rights of way, alleyways, roundabouts and additional City properties.

For the 2024 budget, the department’s priorities include:

• Acquiring new park land.
• Conservation of open space and natural areas.
• Increase service delivery by enhancing mowing and landscape maintenance.
• $2.8 million will be allocated to mowing frequency during the growing season.

The department has other plans in place to provide more green space with six master plans and studies in progress to provide additional parks to the City’s open and green space initiative. For 2024, there are master plans for Rock Creek Ranch Park and Glenwood Park, in addition to the 2025 Park, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan.

What’s next: The Fort Worth City Council recently approved:

• A design consultant agreement for improvements at three neighborhood parks: Chuck Silcox, Lebow and Westhaven.
• Dedication of two new park properties: Palmilla Springs Park in west Fort Worth and Elizabeth Creek Park in north Fort Worth.
• Projects will address the escalating demand for green spaces and recreational areas.

In addition to efforts from the Park & Recreation Department, the City of Fort Worth’s Open Space Conservation Program’s mission is to conserve high-quality, natural areas as the city grows. The program aims to provide environmental benefits and recreational opportunities that support economic development and enhance the livability and desirability of Fort Worth.

Managed by the City’s Stormwater Management Department, the program uses funds from Gas Lease and Bond funds for property acquisitions and capital improvement projects. The City’s Stormwater Management Division manages the program, and the Park & Recreation Department maintains open space properties by performing basic mowing.

Original source can be found here.