Fort Worth approves earlier closing times for parks

The Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department will begin implementing earlier closing times for city parks effective Jan. 1.

The details

According to a city news release, the City Council approved changes to Chapter 24 of the city code on Oct. 29, thus making all city parks open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Currently, 117 city parks already have these hours, with the remaining parks closing at 11:30 p.m.

The news release states the new hours will not affect permitted rentals, sporting events with an amended closing time or special events.

The backstory

According to the news release, parks staff members have historically received numerous calls from residents and from neighborhood associations about the current 11:30 p.m. closing time, primarily for neighborhood parks.

Both the Park and Recreation Advisory Board and Fort Worth Police Department support the new closing times, per the release.