Downtown Parks Get Joint Upgrade Plan

Downtown Fort Worth Inc. and the city parks department are teaming up to upgrade three downtown parks using $500,000 in developer fees.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in National Parks

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Downtown Fort Worth Inc. and the city park and recreation department announced a shared initiative to upgrade Lanham Plaza, John Peter Smith Park, and Hyde Park. The nonprofit will apply its existing management system from Burnett Park and General Worth Square to the three downtown parks.

Why it matters

A growing downtown population and nearby projects, including the Fort Worth Convention Center expansion, Texas A&M School of Law, and new housing, have increased parks usage in Fort Worth. The upgrades aim to make these downtown spaces more inviting for residents across the city.

The initiative is funded by a $500,000 pool of park dedication funds, which come from fees charged to developers when they construct new housing. Heritage Park and Paddock Park are nearing 60% design completion, while the final scope of upgrades at the three new parks remains under review.

The players

Downtown Fort Worth Inc.

A nonprofit organization that manages Burnett Park and General Worth Square and is leading the downtown park upgrade initiative.

Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department

The city department responsible for parks, recreation, and green spaces in Fort Worth, including the GREENprint parks master plan.

The details

Public input requests include more lighting, park furnishings, more trash receptacles, and a cohesive landscaping and planting system. The initiative began from conversations the nonprofit had with other organizations, including parks officials, about how to better manage the three spaces.

Nov. 3, 2026: City released a report on parks usage and public engagement.
Week of Nov. 6, 2026: Downtown Fort Worth Inc. announced the shared park initiative.
Monday, Nov. 9, 2026: Public meeting held to gather input on downtown parks.

Roadmap

The downtown park upgrades extend Fort Worth's GREENprint parks master plan, which lists a central park as a priority for the parks department. The Heritage Park and Paddock Park redevelopments, nearing 60% design completion, show that the city is moving that priority from plan to construction.

Visitors to downtown Fort Worth may see more lighting, furnishings, and trash receptacles as the upgrades progress. Because the three parks are still in the input and design phase, specific closures or changes to access have not yet been announced.

The takeaway

Downtown green spaces are shaped by developer fees and public input, so residents who attend city meetings can influence how parks near them are designed and maintained.