Improvements are on the way for Oak Grove Community Park

Fort Worth - In Fort Worth's growing southern precinct, the 67-acre plot known as Oak Grove Community Park is set for a revival, Dallas Metro News reported.

This area, untouched for the last eight years, was bought in November 2015, located south of Everman Parkway and east of Oak Grove Road. The purchase was a forward-thinking decision by Fort Worth’s Parks & Recreation Department, anticipating population growth in nearby Everman and Forest Hill.

Claire Harvey, who moved to the community in 2016, saw a pressing need for upgrades like walking trails and playgrounds. She especially felt this when spotting the idle land near the renowned Roy Johnson STEM Academy of Everman ISD. Harvey's concerns led her to discuss the lack of progress with park officials.

Harvey highlighted challenges in obtaining the necessary funds. Although the city had set aside money for the park in multiple bond proposals, each faced rejection. A turning point came in 2021 when Chris Nettles, representing District 8, began his campaign. Harvey, steadfast in her resolve, ensured the park's needs became a focal point for Nettles.

“I was like, ‘We really need this. It will bring in so much attention and care and help with the general morale of the neighborhood,’ which was really lacking,” she said as reported by Fort Worth Report. “It can be very isolating when we don’t have access to our community center up in Highland Hills because there’s no walking, no biking, no real vehicle path to it.”

As urban development edges closer to the Fort Worth area near Everman Parkway, Chris Nettles proposed that the Oak Grove Community Park receive special attention in the 2022 bond election. Noticing the park's neglected appearance, Nettles, a former resident of the area, voiced his concerns.

During a recent public meeting, Nettles announced a $3 million budget allocation for the park. While this might seem modest considering the extensive renovation needed, it marks the start of efforts to gather necessary funds. Nettles pledged ongoing efforts to secure more financial support for both the park's transformation and related infrastructure projects.

O’Flinn Design Group, recognized for their impressive work on North Z Boaz Park and Chisholm Trail Community Park, will be overseeing Oak Grove's redesign. Over the next year, a comprehensive plan for Oak Grove will be developed, with approval expected by Fort Worth’s parks advisory committee and the City Council in 2024. Larry O’Flinn, the head of O’Flinn Design Group, played a key role in these discussions, helping residents identify top priorities for the park.

Yet, as Patrick Vicknair, an experienced parks project manager, pointed out, the current budget will only cover basic needs and some additional features. More funding will be required to realize the complete vision for the park.

The community shared their hopes for Oak Grove with O’Flinn, listing desired amenities like playgrounds, walking trails, picnic areas, outdoor exercise spaces, shade, and lighting. On a safety note, residents also suggested setting up barriers around nearby schools to ensure students don't unintentionally wander into the park.

“It’s going to become a destination,” O’Flinn said. “It’s going to become a place where people will go, ‘Let’s meet at the park,’ or ‘Let’s have this event in the park,’ and everybody will know which park they’re talking about.”

In the upcoming design for Oak Grove, public art is set to be a key feature, as explained by Larry O’Flinn. With a budget of $250,000, Arts Fort Worth is tasked with assembling a team of five to seven local experts. Their responsibility will be to select a notable artist and manage the project's details.

Residents continue to have a say in the park's development. Besides traditional methods, an online survey provides an opportunity for community members to share their opinions. To keep the conversation going, the O’Flinn Design Group plans a follow-up meeting in about two months. During this session, initial design sketches and potential plans will be presented. Specific information, including the meeting date, will be announced on the city’s Oak Grove webpage.

While city officials anticipate two to three years for the park's primary features to be completed, some locals are already picturing its potential. Community member Sandra Jones imagines family gatherings, picnics filled with laughter, and spirited basketball matches, all overseen by proud parents. For her, the park's development perfectly matches the community's spirit.

“They’ve put all this new housing and apartments around here, but there isn’t anywhere for us to go,” Jones said. “They’re going to do something out here; I think they will. I think the more people that come out, the more work we’re going to see.”

Credit: Dallas Metro News, Fort Worth’s Parks & Recreation Department, Fort Worth Report