Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program


Protecting nature, building community


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Mission

Our mission is to conserve high-quality natural areas as the city grows to provide environmental benefits and recreational opportunities that support economic development and enhance the livability and desirability of Fort Worth.

For more information, please email openspace@fortworthtexas.gov.

 


Open Space Prioritization Tool

To determine the highest-priority areas for open space conservation, city staff worked with the Trust for Public Land and stakeholders to develop an online mapping tool using dozens of data sets. Through weekly meetings, this group compiled a list of relevant criteria to be mapped, collected the best available data, reviewed results to ensure that they accurately reflect on-the-ground realities, and prioritized relative criteria for Fort Worth. 

 

Open Space Prioritization Tool

 


Open Space Goal Areas

In developing the Open Space Prioritization Tool, all of the data sets were organized as criteria under seven different goal areas:

  • Ecosystem preservation: Conserving important environments such as forests, woodlands, prairies, and wetlands, and protecting habitat for plants and wildlife.
  • Stream, river, and lake health: Using natural areas to filter stormwater, reduce runoff and erosion, and protect water quality in the city’s streams, lakes, and the Trinity River.
  • Community health: Improving health by providing opportunities for exercise, cooling hot urban areas, and improving air quality.
  • Recreation: Improving access to natural areas, protecting iconic landscapes, and creating new opportunities for passive recreation.
  • Flood control: Protecting against flooding and property damage by conserving natural areas that absorb and temporarily store stormwater runoff.
  • Equitable access to open space: Conserving natural areas that benefit low-income, underserved, and marginalized neighborhoods and communities.
  • Economic development: Natural areas can improve nearby property values and create opportunities for businesses, jobs, development, and other economic activity.

 


Open Space Strategy Report

The Trust for Public Land and the City of Fort Worth developed the Strategy Report to guide the future of the Open Space Conservation Program. More than 1,500 people gave their feedback to develop the report, including residents, community leaders, nonprofit groups, government partners, and local businesses. These stakeholders and engaged community members guided the direction of the prioritization tool, strategy report, and associated policy recommendations.

View the full Fort Worth Open Space Strategy Report
View the report appendices, including all data sets used for the Prioritization Tool

 

Strategy Report Public Engagement

Public Meetings

Watch the Public Meeting from February 24, 2022

Click here to watch  a recording of the Public Meeting held February 24, 2022 for the Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program.

Watch the Public Meeting from April 8, 2021

Click here to watch a recording of the Public Meeting held April 8, 2021 for the Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program.

Watch the Public Meeting from January 29, 2021

Click here to watch a recording of the Public Meeting held January 29, 2021 for the Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program

Stakeholder Meetings

1st Stakeholder Meeting

Click here to watch a recording of the first stakeholder meeting for the Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program

2nd Stakeholder Meeting

Click here to watch a recording of the second stakeholder meeting for the Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program.

3rd Stakeholder Meeting

Click here to watch a recording of the third stakeholder meeting for the Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program.
Enter passcode: N.YV4YGE

4th Stakeholder Meeting

Click here to watch a recording of the second stakeholder meeting for the Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program.

Reunión pública: Fort Worth Espacios

Haga clic aquí para ver una grabación de la Reunión Pública que se llevó a cabo el 25 de enero de 2021 para el Programa de Conservación de Espacios Abiertos de Fort Worth.