Fort Worth locals will soon find themselves gathering, relaxing, and perhaps reminiscing in the newly named Joan Kline Park, formerly known as Ryan Place Triangle Park. The city council has officially decided to recognize the significant contributions of community advocate Joan Kline by dedicating the 0.27-acre green space in her memory. The park lies in the heart of the Ryan Place neighborhood at 3001 Fifth Ave, according to the City of Fort Worth.

Joan Kline, a name not unfamiliar to the Fort Worth community, played a pivotal role in faithfully serving and transforming the Near Southside area. Her actions in the 1980s were vital in reinvigorating the Magnolia Avenue corridor and protecting the historic Fairmount Neighborhood. Her passion for the city went further. She was crucially involved in the expansion of Fire Station Park and the development of its skate park. Her legacy is etched in the infrastructure of the community, now symbolically marked by the park's new name.

Residents have long enjoyed the serene setting of the park, which has been a staple since 1974. Acclaimed by the Park & Recreation Advisory Board and eagerly anticipated by the Ryan Place Neighborhood Association, the park's modest footprint has been an oasis of calm, accented with benches and a designated sitting area with bricks. The rechristening of the park to Joan Kline Park echoes the spirit of someone who deeply cared for the spaces that bring Fort Worth’s residents together.

The renaming initiative began with a petition and was followed swiftly by public notices published in March and April this year, a process that invited community feedback. Notably, the Ryan Place Improvement Association voiced their support, as reported by the City of Fort Worth. The proposal was endorsed by the Park & Recreation Advisory Board on May 22, before receiving the final nod from the City Council last Tuesday. With this change, residents and visitors are reminded to cherish and actively maintain Joan Kline’s vision for the city that she loves.