City Of Fort Worth: Botanic Garden Invites Public Comment For Master Plan

Press release from City of Fort Worth:

January 11, 2022

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas, with Studio Outside, Bennett Partners and DEI Consultants, will launch a robust, citywide public engagement process later this month to inform a long-term master plan for the Garden, with a particular focus on Fort Worth’s rich and growing diversity.

In addition to providing online comment capabilities through a website, five community forums are planned:

• Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m. Rockwood Park Golf Course Clubhouse, 1851 Jacksboro Hwy.
• Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. at Como Community Center, 4660 Horne St.
• Jan. 29, 10 a.m. at MLK Jr. Community Center, 5565 Truman Drive.
• Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. at Chisholm Trail Community Center, 4936 McPherson Blvd.
• Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Church, 4201 Heritage Trace Parkway.

Estrus Tucker, president and CEO of DEI Consultants, outlined goals for the 90-minute community forums. “Listening, building relationships and informing the master plan are the three major goals for soliciting this public feedback,” Tucker said. “We especially want to hear from new and diverse community voices while building relationships across the city with organizations and individuals.”

Forum agenda formats will consist of brief opening remarks with a welcome from City Council members, an overview of Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas, a summary of the master planning process, a brief statement about “why” these meetings are being held, and a series of interactive conversations, listening sessions and engaging planning activities. With health and safety of all participants a top priority, CDC guidelines will be followed.

“We consider public feedback immensely important in the master planning process since the Garden is a local treasure belonging to all Fort Worth residents,” said Bob Byers, FWBG|BRIT executive vice president and co-chair of the Master Planning Committee. “Creating a long-term, inspiring guest experience is at the heart of this process.”

The master planning committee led by former District 7 City Councilmember Dennis Shingleton comprises members from throughout the community, representative of Fort Worth civil servants, local garden associations, Fort Worth ISD, FWBG|BRIT Board and staff and other community advocates and developers.

Photo: The transition of management from the city to BRIT in 2020 has necessitated rethinking the Garden’s 11-year-old Master Plan.

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This press release was produced by City of Fort Worth. The views expressed here are the author’s own.