Fort Worth's largest park, Gateway Park, is poised for a grand makeover, complete with a slew of new attractions and amenities. In a significant push to enhance recreational opportunities, the Fort Worth City Council is slated to review the master plan for the park's expansion on June 11, as reported yesterday, according to the City of Fort Worth.

The Gateway Park master plan builds on the space's already vast 791.5 acres. Featuring a boardwalk, food truck parking, an outdoor market, dog park expansion, and a destination playground, among other installations, assuming no unforeseen delays, the design phase of the project will stretch from July 2024 through September 2025, followed by construction earmarked to commence in March 2026 that's expected to last around a year.

With the 2022 bond program funneling $8 million into the planning, design, and construction of these enhancements in Gateway Park, along with a $6.6 million contribution from the Tarrant Regional Water District bond program, the project boasts of an impressive budget of $14.6 million. The proposed additions include not just areas for leisure like a great lawn and scenic overlook but also facilities geared toward sports enthusiasts such as expanded athletic fields, basketball and tennis courts, and more.

The park, not just a green haven but also a hub for community engagement, was initially dedicated in 1979. Becoming the first in the city to provide an off-leash space for dogs with Fort Woof, it is now slated for expansion the park's current offerings include a variety of sports fields, a playground, and miles of hiking trails. The enhancement plan promises to elevate the park to a new level of metropolitan appeal.