Fort Worth Open Space Conservation Program

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 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.

Strategy Report Public Engagement