Aquatics plan proposes 10 outdoor pools, four indoor facilities

Fort Worth is moving forward with a comprehensive strategy to increase its public aquatics infrastructure. The draft 2026 master plan recommends expanding the city’s water facilities to include 10 outdoor swimming pools, 46 lap lanes, six spray grounds, and four indoor pools.

Currently, the city directly operates Forest Park Pool, the Marine Park Pool & Aquatic Center, and the Sycamore Spray Ground, while maintaining partnerships with the Eastside YMCA and the William M. McDonald YMCA.

The proposal includes two flagship aquatic centers, one located in far north Fort Worth and the other in far south Fort Worth. These indoor-outdoor complexes are designed for competitive swimming, recreation, fitness, therapy, and training. According to the city, these centers would host regional events while supporting year-round community use. Both projects would require partnerships with other organizations.

Additionally, the plan calls for two indoor community aquatic centers. One would be developed in a northwest Fort Worth partnership, and the other in far west Fort Worth. These facilities would be built on the same sites as existing city community centers, complementing their gyms, fitness centers, and programming rooms.

The plan also envisions three medium-sized outdoor community aquatic centers featuring leisure and lap pools, as well as two signature outdoor aquatic parks designed around local character and culture. One such center would be constructed in far north Fort Worth, another in southwest Fort Worth, and an existing central Fort Worth center would be upgraded.

Funding for these projects is expected to come from future bond programs and other sources. Two projects are already funded: the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in Stop Six, which is in the design phase and projected for completion in 2028, and an aquatics center for North Z Boaz Park in west Fort Worth, which voters approved as part of the 2026 bond program.

The Martin Luther King Jr. facility will include an eight-lane, 25-yard lap pool and a large interactive play area.

Parks department spokesperson Karen Stuhmer stated that the specific type of facility planned for North Z Boaz Park has not yet been determined. She noted that the decision will be based on programming needs, public input, and available funding.

Stuhmer also confirmed that water amenities at the Northpark YMCA in far north Fort Worth will be expanded in partnership with the city, though specific details have not been finalized.

The Park & Recreation Advisory Board is scheduled to endorse the final plan at a 4 p.m. meeting on Sept. 23 at City Hall. The Fort Worth City Council is set to adopt the plan at its Oct. 13 meeting.

Source: Fort Worth Report.

Sources

fortworthreport.org