Leadership, Near Southside open micro-park on Magnolia
May 18, 2016
Original content of Fort Worth Business
Posted: Thursday, May 19, 2016 10:41 am | Updated: 10:55 am, Thu May 19, 2016.
Fort Worth opened what is said to be its first ever micro-park on May 18.
Leadership Fort Worth in partnership with Near Southside, Inc. were looking to turn an underutilized urban property area into an outdoor space that could be put to use while development plans for the property took shape. The result was a community effort that transformed a dormant space in the heart of Magnolia Avenue into a small public park.
This mico-park, located at the northeast corner of Magnolia and Henderson Street, is designed to be temporary while the vacant parcel awaits finalized development plans. It was creatively designed in “kit of parts” so it can be disassembled and reassembled at a secondary park site at a later date so that the materials contributed will always have value to our Near Southside community.
The micro-park was commenced with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. The 4,500 square foot micro-park is expected to be in place for one to two years before development begins on the property. Then, plans call for it will move to another location in the neighborhood.
Members from Leadership Fort Worth who participated in this project included: Claire Brunner (Enilon), Joan Jordan (MedStar), Stacy Marshall (Southeast Fort Worth Inc), Ann McFadyen (UTA), Pattie McLean (Hillwood Development), Melissa Opheim (ACH Child & Family Services), Jeff Salavarria (Frost Bank) and Kara Waddell (Child Care Associates). TBG Partners and Site Planning Site Development were also key contributors in the planning, design and execution.
“I am still in awe at how this park came together,”says Bruner, the team’s project manager. “The community support was outstanding and humbling. There is a lot of love for this neighborhood. We were fortunate to be able to be a part of this project and to be able to make an impact on both the Near Southside community as well as other urban neighborhoods who might be inspired and have micro-parks in their future.”
The implementation of micro-parks is on the rise in progressive cities throughout the U.S. – such as San Francisco, Reno, and Philadelphia to name a few. With more buildings and parking lots and fewer green spaces, the need for creative use of available property is on high demand. Micro-parks allow for enjoyable outdoor gathering spaces, which provide a much needed escape for nearby patrons. Fort Worth is privileged to be amongst the progressive cities in leading the way within the U.S.