HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-0102 - 2026-08-25 - Informal ReportFORT WORTH.;
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
SUBJECT: UPDATES TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER FACILITY MASTER PLAN AND AQUATICS
MASTER PLAN -DAVE LEWIS, PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
DATE: 08/25/26 NUMBER: IR 26-0102
TO THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide background and updates on the
status of the Park & Recreation Department's ongoing Community Center Facility
Master Plan and Aquatics Master Plan. These plans will establish long-range
strategies to guide future investment in recreational facilities and services.
Fort Worth has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, adding
more than 480,000 residents since 2000, an increase of approximately 88 percent.
During that same period, only six new community centers were constructed and
several municipal pools were closed, creating a substantial gap between population
growth and recreational facilities. Recognizing these challenges, the Park & Recreation
Department retained Dunaway Associates, L.P. to evaluate the City's existing facilities,
assess current and future recreational needs, and develop long-term master plans for
both community centers and aquatic facilities.
Both master plans were developed using a planning methodology that combines
objective facility assessments, demographic analysis, geographic service mapping,
operational considerations, peer city benchmarking, and future population projections.
Recommendations will be based on the cumulative findings of these analyses to
identify where future investments will provide the greatest public benefit.
COMMUNITY CENTER FACILITY MASTER PLAN
The Community Center Facility Master Plan is intended to guide future investment
decisions related to the City's current system of 24 community centers, the Haws
Athletic Center, and the development of future community centers. Existing facilities
were evaluated through a comprehensive assessment process that examined both
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the physical condition of each building and how effectively it serves its surrounding
community. The plan also analyzes future population growth, service gaps, and
community needs to identify locations for new community centers and evaluate the
appropriate long-term role of existing facilities.
Each existing community center was visited and evaluated for:
• Building age and overall condition
• Architectural functionality and flexibility
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems
• Building capacity and utilization
• Existing amenities
• Opportunities for renovation, expansion, replacement, or consolidation/closure
depending on capital and operating funding
In addition to evaluating the physical facilities, the planning team analyzed
demographic trends, projected population growth, market demand, visitation
patterns, service area coverage, and operational efficiency. Geographic Information
System (GIS) mapping was used to identify service areas, overlapping facilities,
alternative providers, and traditionally underserved neighborhoods throughout the
city. Existing facilities were also compared with peer cities previously identified
through the City's GREENprint Master Plan process to evaluate Fort Worth's overall level
of service. Facilities will be scored in each of the previously listed criteria and given a
cumulative score. The cumulative score will be used to make recommendations for
each facility.
The Master Plan utilizes a context -sensitive planning model that considers
neighborhood characteristics, existing service networks, growth patterns, and
community needs when recommending future investments. The Master Plan will
prioritize the order in which new facilities are recommended to be built or existing
facilities to be expanded or renovated.
The next steps for the Community Center Facility Master Plan are presentations to the
Park & Recreation Advisory Board and City Council in Fall of 2026.
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AQUATICS MASTER PLAN
The Aquatics Master Plan was developed using a similarly comprehensive, data -
informed planning process designed to evaluate existing aquatic facilities while
identifying future system needs.
The planning process began with a complete inventory and assessment of existing
City of Fort Worth aquatic facilities, including pools, sprayground, support
infrastructure, facility condition, usage patterns, and geographic distribution. The
analysis also inventoried other area aquatic providers, including membership pools,
school and university pools, homeowners' association pools, and commercial water
parks, to identify existing service coverage and gaps. Current trends in aquatic
recreation, demographic changes, future population growth, and community
preferences were then evaluated to determine future facility needs and locations.
These methodologies were supplemented by benchmarking against comparable
cities, GIS mapping, operational analysis, and extensive public engagement that
included a steering committee, stakeholder meetings, staff workshops, public
meetings throughout the city, and a citywide online survey.
Based on the criteria and outreach listed, the Master Plan will recommend
enhancements needed to provide a balanced system of indoor pools, outdoor aquatic
centers, spraygrounds, and destination aquatic facilities strategically located to
improve geographic equity while maximizing operational efficiency and long-term
financial sustainability.
The Aquatics Master Plan will be presented to the Park & Recreation Advisory Board on
August 26, 2026 as an Information Item. Following steps will Include Park & Recreation
Advisory Board consideration of endorsement, a presentation to City Council, and
consideration of adoption by City Council.
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CONCLUSION
The Community Center Facility Master Plan and Aquatics Master Plan are intended to
serve as long-range planning documents rather than immediate capital improvement
commitments. As future funding opportunities become available through bond
programs, grants, partnerships, and other funding sources, these plans provide an
objective, transparent, and data -driven framework for evaluating future recreational
investments.
For questions regarding this information, please contact Teresa Thomason, Park &
Recreation Department Deputy Director at 817-392-5708.
Jesus ®°Jays Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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