City Of Fort Worth: Fundraising Continues For Expanded Fire Station Park

Press release from City of Fort Worth:

June 08, 2021

With strong support already in place, Near Southside Inc. is kicking off a public campaign in support of a major expansion at Fire Station Park. Contributions will be doubled as the City of Fort Worth matches donations up to a total of $600,000.

Final design plans are taking shape, and more than $68,000 has already been raised and matched.

The park, with a total budget of approximately $1.6 million, will deliver a signature public space unlike any other in North Texas. Fire Station Park will feature an exciting set of amenities, including an urban skate plaza for all skill levels, pump track for BMX bikes, market plaza for local vendors and other gatherings, central green for open play and public events, and a fenced dog park for unleashed fun.

The master plan was driven by public input during community workshops, starting in 2016. The Near Southside team, working with consulting partner Project for Public Spaces and the city’s Park & Recreation Department, secured adoption of the park master plan by the city in early 2019 before turning full attention to final design plans and a fundraising campaign.

Final design will be completed this year, and the goal is to raise all funds by the end of 2021 and begin construction in early 2022.

In early 2016, Near Southside Inc., joined by the Hemphill Corridor Task Force and neighborhood groups, led the effort for the city’s acquisition of a vacant parcel of land at 1616 Hemphill St., adjacent to the Fire Station Community Center in the Fairmount neighborhood.

In December 2016, Near Southside Inc. and consulting partner Project for Public Spaces held the first Envision Hemphill workshop, inviting community members to share their dreams for the park’s master plan. In early 2019, the city approved the master plan for the park and allocated $400,000 in Near Southside park dedication funds towards phase 1 design and development.

Photo: Residents have expressed strong support for an urban skate park as a primary feature alongside a bike track, central green and market plaza.

Get articles like this in your inbox. Subscribe to City News.

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