City of Fort Worth, TX

12/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/13/2024 14:46

Property purchase, lease agreement add to City parkland total

Property purchase, lease agreement add to City parkland total

Published on December 13, 2024

The City Council on Tuesday approved purchasing land and extending a lease, two moves that will result in more parkland for Fort Worth.

Why it matters: Both agreements support Mayor Mattie Parker's Good Natured Greenspace Initiative goal of preserving 10,000 acres of greenspace across Fort Worth in the next five years while also growing and enhancing the City's park system.

Tinsley Ranch Park

Council approved paying $13.4 million for approximately 298 acres of ranchland in northwest Fort Worth. The land will be transitioned to parkland known as Tinsley Ranch Park.

About the property: The land is located just west of Hwy. 287 near the City of Blue Mound, at 3150 and 3450 Tinsley Lane in Fort Worth.

The seller is Tinsley-Alliston Ranch Lands L.P., Tinsley-Alliston Homestead L.P. and the Ruby Lea Alliston Revocable Trust.

The area surrounding the Tinsley purchase is considered underserved in community-based parkland, City staff reported.

Rocky Creek Park

Also on Tuesday, Council authorized a lease agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City for Rocky Creek Park and Marina for public park and recreational purposes.

Background: Since 1962, USACE and the City have been involved in a 50-year lease for the Benbrook Lake Project encompassing 600-plus acres on the northern end of the project, known as Pecan Valley Park. The park includes: a 36-hole golf course and driving range, open space/picnic area, a trailhead area known as Art Cowsen Trailhead and an area containing a youth soccer complex. The complex is subleased by the City to the Fort Worth Youth Soccer Association.

Earlier this year, both parties agreed to execute a new 25-year lease for 601.91 acres of Pecan Valley Park. USACE and City plan to expand the lease areas to the City to include the area known as Rocky Creek Park and Marina, adding about 261.5 acres plus about 30.9 acres at the marina. Combined, this lease will add 292.4 acres to the Fort Worth park system.

Photo: The future Tinsley Ranch Park will be welcomed by north Fort Worth as the City balances conservation efforts with ongoing development.

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