Staying active outdoors is important to our overall physical and mental health during this time -- all while maintaining social distancing. Lucky for us, Fort Worth contains nearly 300 parks that cover more than 12,000 acres. Here are 10 parks, and a sprinkle of trailheads, that are less trafficked.
Downtown Area
Riverside Park - 501 Oakhurst Scenic Drive
The trail through Riverside Park runs adjacent to the Trinity River with a connection to the rest of the trail system if you want a lengthy walk, run or bike ride. Note: The park is presciently placed just north of Martin House Brewing Company so you can conveniently acquire some Bockslider or Best Maid Sour Pickle beer with which to cool off at home following your workout.
East Fort Worth
Gateway Park - 751 Beach Street
This park covers a good bit of space. Park at the old disc golf parking area (easily accessible when entering off East 1st Street), where you should encounter very low density. You’ll mostly see mountain bikers zipping in and around in the trees, and this could be a good spot for picnicking, walking, running or chilling in your hammock. Note: that the Fort Woof Dog Park is closed until further notice.
Quanah Parker Park - 5401 Randol Mill Road
You’ll find this park east of Gateway on Randol Mill Road. If you want to enter the bike path here, you can connect to all of Fort Worth’s Trinity Trail to the west or take advantage of the new eastbound stretch that will get you as far as Loop 820.
Southside
Tillery Park - 2200 Rockridge Terrace
This charming little park fits into a neighborhood a block west of Forest Park Boulevard. You can walk the trail down to the larger Forest Park. Tillery is located at the top of a hill, so be mindful of that if you’re playing catch or kicking a soccer ball around.
Note: Tillery Park does not appear on the Fort Worth Parks map. Enter off of Forest Park Blvd and look for the Tillery Park sign where it intersects Rockridge Terrace (which becomes Hawthorne Avenue on the other side of Forest Park).
Northwest Fort Worth
Anderson-Campbell Park - 4141 Ohio Garden Road
This is a small park tucked just north of Rockwood Park. It doesn’t offer direct access to the trail system, but does offer some spaces for outdoor activities.
Rockwood Park - 701 North University Drive
In addition to areas for outdoor play, this park also features the recently revamped Rockwood Park Golf Course. Golf is permitted on Fort Worth courses within certain guidelines - walking only and don’t touch the flagsticks.
For golf, enter along Jacksboro/199. To access the park (including baseball fields), enter at one of the two entrances along North University Drive.
Southeast Fort Worth
Cobb Park South - 3000 Cobb Drive
Cobb Park’s south entrance off Berry Street has ample parking and a ready connection to the Trinity Trails system. Cobb Park also connects with Sycamore Park to the north.
Southwest Fort Worth
Kellis Park - 4651 Southridge Terrace
Kellis Park doesn’t have heavy tree cover, so it’s easy to see (and avoid) others in its open spaces. The walking path continues through the adjoining neighborhood, providing more space for distancing. Follow the trails west and you can make your way into Foster Park, which also connects to Overton Park.
Overton Park - 3500 Overton Park Drive East
Overton Park is good for distancing because it has trails on either side of the creek that bisects it and the wide streets on either side provide an opportunity to park and/or ride your bicycle without coming into close contact with others. Overton Park is connected to the Clearfork branch of the Trinity Trails by a short half-mile paved trail. Follow the trails west to paved trails along Westcreek Drive.
West Fort Worth
North Z Boaz Park - 3200 Lackland Road
The Z Bonz dog park has closed for the time being, but there are still other areas to get in a stroll with or without your pooch. Parking is located at the south end of the park off of 580 or on the east side off of Lackland.
Bike Rentals
Riding a bicycle can safely get you into the more remote areas of the Trinity Trails system, so don’t forget that Fort Worth Bike Sharing still offers inexpensive rentals from a number of Fort Worth B-Cycle stations around the city. They have sanitization procedures in place, but still recommend you wash your hands after cycling. In addition, a number of the city’s bike shops, including Mellow Johnny’s, Colonel’s Bicycles, Fort Worth Cycling, and Bicycles Inc are open on a limited basis for purchases and repairs.
Fort Worth has plenty of options for outdoor recreation that don’t require bunching ourselves together. The Parks and Recreation Department recommends maintaining a six-foot barrier between park-goers and they have several other helpful guidelines listed on their website.
