HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 6101-05-2025A Resolution
NO.6101-05-2025
ADOPTING THE 2025 GREENPRINT FORT WORTH: PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN
SPACE, AND PUBLIC REALM MASTER PLAN FOR THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
WHEREAS, in 1909, the first Park Master Plan, authored by George Kessler, was adopted by
the City of Fort Worth Park Board, and successive Park Master Plans by Hare and Hare were adopted
in 1930 and 1957; and
WHEREAS, these plans laid the foundation for the park system in Fort Worth and, on
November 10, 1992, the City Council adopted a Strategic Plan for the Fort Worth Park and
Recreation Department to guide the management of its resources;
WHEREAS, on June 30, 1998, the City Council adopted the 1998 Park, Recreation and Open
Space Master Plan, which included the first locally determined needs -based standards in the history
of the Parks and Community Services Department;
WHEREAS, in 2000, the City Council adopted the first City of Fort Worth Comprehensive
Plan, which serves as the umbrella plan for all City services, growth, and development;
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the 2004 Park, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan
on June 22, 2004, along with an update to that plan on February 9, 2010, incorporating them both by
reference into the City's Comprehensive Plan;
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the 2015 Park, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan
on January 27, 2015, along with an update to that plan on June 23, 2020, incorporating them both by
reference into the City's Comprehensive Plan;
WHEREAS, the adoption of a new Park, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan every ten
years is vital to the City's ability to remain competitive for outside funding for capital improvements,
renovations, and maintenance of the City's park system, including funding from state grants
administered by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department;
WHEREAS, in preparation for the 2025 GREENprint Fort Worth: Parks, Recreation, Open
Space and Public Realm Master Plan ("GREENprint Fort Worth"), the Park & Recreation Department
commissioned a Needs Assessment Study for use in setting local standards; prioritizing park,
recreation and open space needs both city-wide and within each of the City's five (5) Park Planning
Districts; and developing an action plan to comply with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's grant
guidelines;
WHEREAS, GREENprint Fort Worth builds upon the legacy of planning and stewardship and
provides for assessments, standards, objectives, priorities, recommendations, strategies and actions
that will guide the development of the park, recreation, open space and public realm system for the
next ten years;
WHEREAS, the Good Natured Greenspace Initiative, launched by Mayor Mattie Parker in
October of2023, also provides guidance related to the preservation and conservation of natural areas;
WHEREAS, GREENprint Fort Worth includes, among other things, a reimagined vision and
mission statement, goals, transformative ideas, objectives and strategies, along with an
implementation plan;
WHEREAS, on April 23, 2025, the Park & Recreation Advisory Board unanimously endorsed
the GREENprint Fort Worth Master Plan;
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2025 the City Plan Commission unanimously endorsed the 2025 Master
Plan; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT:
1. The vision and mission statement, goals, transformative ideas, objectives and
strategies, and implementation plan of the 2025 GREENprint Fort Worth: Parks,
Recreation, Open Space and Public Realm Master Plan are officially adopted as the
standards and classifications for the City of Fort Worth park, recreation, and open space
system; and
2. The 2025 GREENprint Fort Worth: Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Public Realm
Master Plan for the City of Fort Worth is hereby officially adopted as the guide for
allocation of resources for the improvement and continued development of Fort Worth's
park, recreation, and open space system; and
The 2025 GREENprint Fort Worth: Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Public Realm
Master Plan for the City of Fort Worth is hereby incorporated as part of the City's
Comprehensive Plan; and
4. This resolution shall be effective from and after its passage by the City Council.
Adopted this 13th day of MAY 2025.
ATTEST:
A
By:
Jannette S. GoodalI, City Secretary
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 05/13/25 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 25-0391
LOG NAME: 80PARK REC OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN
SUBJECT
(ALL) Adopt a Resolution Adopting the 2025 GREENprint Fort Worth: Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Public Realm Master Plan and
Incorporate it into the City's Comprehensive Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution adopting the 2025 GREENprint Fort Worth: Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Public Realm Master Plan
for the City of Fort Worth; and
2. Incorporate the Master Plan, by reference, into the City's Comprehensive Plan.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this Mayor & Council Communication (M&C) is to adopt the Park & Recreation Department's GREENprint Fort Worth: Parks,
Recreation, Open Space, and Public Realm Master Plan (GREENprint Fort Worth).
Background
Beginning with the Kessler Plan in 1909, the development of the City of Fort Worth park system has been guided by formally adopted
comprehensive master plans. Subsequent plans have included the 1930 Hare and Hare Master Plan, a 1957 update to the Hare and Hare Master
Plan and more recently, the 1998, 2004 and 2015 Park, Recreation and Open Space Master Plans with respective updates.
On June 27, 2023, the City Council authorized a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., in the amount of
$440,000.00 for preparation of the GREENprint Fort Worth (M&C 23-0512). Amendment No.1 in the amount of $83,600.00 was approved
administratively for additional services associated with additional public meetings and community engagement. Amendment No. 2 in the amount
of $271,250.00 was authorized by City Council on June 11, 2024 (M&C 24-0527) for the purpose of expanding collaboration with FWLab and
HR&A on the Park & Recreation Department's Aspirational Strategies Plan. This scope included the dreation of new park typologies, identification
of transformative ideas, and development of urban design strategies for the activation of parks and other publicly owned spaces.
Purpose
Building on the direction established in previous plans, this master plan continues the planning process that has led to the rich legacy of Fort
Worth's park system and identifies areas of improvements and key opportunities to address existing deficiencies. As one of the fastest growing
cities in the United States, with a projected population of over 1.3 million by 2050, this plan reimagines the role of parks and public spaces as
essential infrastructure, not merely amenities. GREENprint Fort Worth represents a forward -thinking and community -driven vision to ensure all Fort
Worth residents, current and future, have access to a resilient park system and thriving public realm.
The Good Natured Green Space Initiative, launched by Mayor Parker in October of 2023, also provides guidance related to the preservation and
conservation of natural areas. Inspired by over a century of legacy planning, GREENprint Fort Worth extends beyond conventional park planning. It
envisions an interconnected City-wide network of nature, culture, and community; transforming Fort Worth into "A City in a Park." This shift in
paradigm integrates nature into everyday life, elevating parks and open spaces as foundational to health, economic vitality, mobility, and overall
quality of life.
Strateaic Goals. and Transformative Ideas
GREENprint Fort Worth is structured around six strategic goals developed through public input and technical analysis that define the next
generation of parks and public spaces in Fort Worth. The Strategic Goals are: Thriving Community, Connected System, Vibrant Nature, Common
Ground, Premier Destination and Manageable Resources.
To elevate Fort Worth's position as a national model, the plan identifies five transformative ideas with city-wide impact that serve as catalysts for
change. The Transformative Ideas include: New Parks and Public Real Typologies, Green Connectivity Network, Living with Nature, A Central
Common Ground, and a New Era of Programming.
Public Engagement
The engagement process included stakeholder committee, steering committee and technical advisory committee meetings; City Council one-on-
one meetings, two public workshops in all five Park Planning Districts; community pop-up meetings in every Council District; and a city-wide survey
gamering 1,643 responses. Outreach methods were employed to inform community members of the GREENprint Fort Worth planning
effort, including e-mail blasts, press releases, a project website, social media (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, NextDoor) and announcements during
City Council meetings. These facilitation tools were used to gather community feedback, identify priorities, and explore opportunities and
challenges.
Endorsements
On April 23, 2025, the Park & Recreation Advisory Board unanimously endorsed the recommended GREENpdnt Fort Worth master plan and
recommended that the City Council adopt the plan.
The City Plan Commission endorsed the GREENprint Fort Worth: Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Public Realm Master Plan on May 7,
2025.
A work session with City Council and the Park & Recreation Advisory Board was held on May 6, 2025 to review the Master Plan.
This plan effects ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL -INFORMATION ! CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that approval of these recommendations will have no material effect on City funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office b}L. Dana Burghdoff 8018
Originating Business Unit Head: Dave Lewis 5717
Additional Information Contact: Joel McElhany 5745