The City of Fort Worth is partnering with the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) to open schoolyards for public use after school, effectively turning them into community parks. This move is a part of the city's ongoing efforts to improve residents' access to parks and recreational spaces.
Currently, Fort Worth ranks 72nd out of the 100 largest US cities on the Trust for Public Land (TPL) ParkScore Index, with 69% of city residents living within a ten-minute walk of a park. This is an improvement from 2022, when the city ranked 87th and only 61% of residents enjoyed such access. The latest initiative aims to boost these numbers even further by increasing the "10-minute walk" score, which indicates the percentage of locals within a short stroll of a green space.
"I believe wholeheartedly that every Fort Worth resident should have easy access to a park or open space," Mayor Mattie Parker stated. Through the agreement with FWISD, Fort Worth is setting a precedent in its commitment to enhancing neighborhood vitality and wellness. Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar of FWISD shared the sentiment, telling the City of Fort Worth, “Fort Worth ISD schools are at the heart of Fort Worth neighborhoods. We are thrilled to partner with the City of Fort Worth to open our schoolyards after hours, offering welcoming and safe spaces that support healthy communities."
The synergy between city officials and FWISD is clear, with intentions to share responsibilities for maintenance and security, and to seek future enhancements of the recreational offerings. According to Park & Recreation director Dave Lewis, this action reflects community desires expressed during the GreenPrint Fort Worth planning process, where accessibility to nearby safe parks topped the list of resident requests. "This agreement is one of the first major steps in implementing GreenPrint," said Lewis, per the City of Fort Worth, "It shows we are not just talking about a vision on paper — we are putting it into action, creating real change and delivering what our community asked for."
