Jun 24, 2009
Leuda Park Masterplan
By: Kevin Buchanan
We recently reported on the start of construction of Leuda Park in the Near Southside, and now we have the final master plan rendering, courtesy of Fort Worth South, Inc. Features of Leuda Park will include:
- An open “main lawn” space
- A playground
- A pavilion
- Plenty of benches
- Picnic tables
- A flexible-use open lawn space that could be used as a community garden
- Bike parking station
Overall, it looks like a smart design. It is nicely enclosed with trees, and features several programmed spaces including a nice open area for recreation. The park’s design is by Dunaway Associates and Fort Worth South.
Thanks for blogging about this! I can’t wait for them to finish. They are doing such a good job cleaning up this area.
Any idea why they picked this particular location? There are several parks in Fairmount already and all are in need of some serious rehab. It seems to me that should be the focus.
I figure they picked this location because they had the land and they’re following the Near Southside Parks Master Plan, which calls for every neighborhood to have a public space. The goal is for every neighborhood to have public space within a 5 minute walk or so. The Leuda-May area is one such neighborhood.
I’d think Fort Worth South probably lets the Fairmount parks be more of a city/Fairmount neighborhood sort of thing. I don’t go to Fire Station Park very often, but I’m constantly around Fairmount Park, and it’s always seemed a nice place – simple, but nice. I’m curious what you think about Fairmount and Fire Station Parks that needs serious rehab.
I guess what I meant was that by the looks of the plans for the Leuda-May park, it’s going to be REALLY nice. This is in an area that hasn’t been rehabbed like many other areas have in the near south side. If that’s the case, then why spend the time and money on such a nice park in an area where the residents haven’t yet invested the same time and money in the neighborhood. It should work both ways in my opinion.
I live in Fairmount off of Alston. My neighbors and I spend a lot of time and money keeping our little section of the world looking nice. The city should do the same by keeping their parks in the area equally nice. The grass is terrible, there’s not much to look at, play ground equipment is cheap and they just have a real ‘half done’ look to them. Honestly, compare our parks to the rendering you just showed, Magnolia Green (isn’t that private?), the park off of Forest Park and all of the parks around the Arlington Heights/Rivercrest area. They are all light years ahead of our parks. Again, I think it’s more of a comparison thing in my opinion.
I hope that helps explain my earlier point a little better.
I don’t want to sound all negative, I’m definitely glad the city notices us and is investing in the area.
Magnolia Green Park was put in by Red Oak Realty but I think it’s been turned over as a public park. Anybody from Fort Worth South who knows better can correct me on that. There’s really not much to Magnolia Green Park, though – just a block-sized square of grass and some plantings around the edge. Simplicity can work in parks, though.
Again, I’m not especially familiar with Fire Station Park, but I’ve always thought that Fairmount Park, while simple, is an effective and elegant little public space. It might be due for a refresh and some playground equipment, but I’ve always thought it looked pretty good. May have to really get out and spend some time in both parks to reevaluate my position.
I think saying that the Leuda-May neighborhood hasn’t invested any effort in becoming more attractive is unfair, though. The most prominent things in Leuda-May – the Leuda-May Apartments, the Hattie May Inn, the big blue house that’s acupuncture and such, those sorts of places – have all been restored & redeveloped and are in much better shape than they used to be. It’s actually a rather pretty little assemblage of blocks in many ways. I’m betting the park is partly desired to be a catalyst for further redevelopment in that neighborhood.
What they really in that part of town is to overhaul those streets, they’re terrible. I just drove by the park…tons of work going on already, I was amazed. You’re right, that part of town is off to a better start than I thought. Still quite a bit of ‘industry’ in that neighborhood to really put a park to good use. I do hope it attracts more residential development/rehab.
Great post Kevin, thanks as always for keeping us all informed.
Hey this looks great.
Perhaps someone will buy and restore that old church building at West Cannon and May.
That building was St. Paul Lutheran until 1954.