Project for Public Spaces General Worth Square Final Report
12 Nov 2009
by: Andy Taft
In partnership with the City of Fort Worth Parks Department, Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. has been exploring the future of General Worth Square. This effort began with the completion of the John F. Kennedy bronze and it’s anticipated arrival in Fort Worth. While the sculpture’s final home has always been contemplated in GWS, the setting has deteriorated over the years, and those involved are concerned that the park should be a fitting place to recognize the occasion of President Kennedy’s historic and poignant Fort Worth visit. This process led quickly to a broader recognition that GWS does not fulfill its potential as a destination in downtown. Rather, this passive space is used for infrequent events and little else. Dated furnishings, broken fixtures and uncomfortable seating offer little appeal to daily users. The question arose, “what if we designed GWS around uses, and encouraged programming?”
To help us answer that question, DFWII engaged the Project for Public Spaces to conduct a workshop of stakeholders, neighbors and potential users to explore what GWS could be in the future and how it could become a more important part of the life of Fort Worth. The results of that workshop and PPS’ findings are contained in the PPS Report.