Grounded in nature, Fort Worth’s green space vision takes root

Fort Worth is taking a big-picture approach to protecting and expanding its green spaces as the city grows.

Mayor Mattie Parker launched the Good Natured Greenspace Initiative in 2023 to increase access to parks and recreation, protect Fort Worth’s natural heritage and recognize green spaces as essential infrastructure for flood mitigation, water security and quality of life.

Greenspace Initiatives Manager Allison Docker gave an update on the initiative at the Sept. 29 City Council meeting, highlighting work that’s germinating citywide.

Good Natured builds on more than a decade of green-space planning and conservation efforts, including the Open Space Conservation Program, voter-approved funding for land conservation in the 2026 bond election, the GREENPrint Parks Master Plan, the Urban Forest Master Plan and other efforts focused on trails, trees, natural lands and the Trinity River.

Good Natured focuses these efforts around three areas, Docker explained:

Green Spaces: The City is continuing to acquire and conserve natural areas, including properties being considered through the Open Space Conservation Program. Work also is underway to improve the first Open Space activation at Broadcast Hill, with trails and signage expected to be completed in late fall. Planning efforts are exploring ways to balance growth with conservation and encourage native plantings and green space in future development.

Green Infrastructure: The City is exploring ways to protect creeks and streams, preserve green spaces that can support flood-management efforts, better understand natural habitats and strategically plant trees to increase shade and help cool neighborhoods.

Green Access: The City is working to preserve and connect trails, improve access to the Trinity Trails and explore ways to activate additional Open Space properties. A shared-use agreement with Fort Worth ISD also gives residents access to school playgrounds after school hours, and the City is exploring similar partnerships with other school districts.

Nature education and programming are another important part of the initiative, with efforts involving Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, Fort Worth Public Library, Park & Recreation and Environmental Services.

These coordinated efforts are already contributing to improvements in Fort Worth’s ParkScore ranking from the Trust for Public Land, which rose from 91 to 58 in two years, Docker noted. The City aims to reach the top 50 next year.

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