Folks on the west side of Fort Worth have a new reason to smile as the city's Park & Recreation Department has decided to keep the lights on longer at several community centers - a move that spells more playtime for everyone from early birds to night owls. These extended hours are now in effect, offering residents more flexibility to enjoy a range of activities from pickleball to pottery, according to the City of Fort Worth.
Breaking it down for what it means for taxpayers, the extra hours have been bankrolled by the Crime Control & Prevention District's funding, indicating a strategy that intertwines community wellness alongside crime reduction efforts. The centers such as Chisholm Trail Community Center are now open as early as 5 a.m. during weekdays and stay open until 11 p.m. on Saturdays to accommodate the schedules of those who can't always make the regular nine-to-five routine work.
It's not just the Chisholm Trail lovers who get to benefit: Eugene McCray, Highland Hills, R.D. Evans, and Southwest Community Centers are all hopping on the extended-hours train. Constraints of traditional closing times are being relaxed, with places like the Fire Station Community Center and the Handley Meadowbrook Community Center now also offering expanded visiting hours thanks to staff relocations that made these changes possible.
The new timetable is more than just a nod to longer playtimes, it's a deliberate attempt to respond to an increased clamor for flexible recreational opportunities across Fort Worth's diverse communities. It aligns directly with the City Council's recently voiced requests to make centers more accessible for everybody—whether it's for the after-school crowd or adults looking to wind down after a hard day's work, each of these centers now open longer, more responsive hours, thanks to the initiative.
In a photo snapped at the Chisholm Trail Community Center, pickleball enthusiasts are seen making the most of the new hours, evidence that these spaces are crucial social and physical outlets for folks in the area.
