Select city facilities to reopen in early June
May 29,2020
See full City of Fort Worth article here.
Certain city facilities will reopen in early June, as COVID-19 case numbers have continued to level off.
“Although the city never closed, we did temporarily close libraries, community centers and municipal courts,” City Manager David Cooke said. “With COVID-19 public health measures holding steady or declining, we intend to reopen these facilities in a safe and phased manner. We are committed to ensuring that staff have the supplies they need and that we are limiting the number of people in our buildings. This summer, the plan is to have all facilities operating with limited service with a few exceptions.”
The city will follow these principles when making decisions about reopening:
Facilities won’t reopen until public health professionals advise it is safe to do so.
Facilities will reopen when adequate sanitation and protection supplies are on hand to ensure employee and public safety.
Facilities will reopen when modifications have been completed, such as installing plexiglass dividers and moving furniture to ensure social distancing.
When residents visit the city facilities that are reopening, they will notice some changes. Health screenings will take place at all city facilities. Visitors and staff will also be asked to wear a face covering while in the public areas of the building. The facilities have been modified to promote physical distancing, with some of the furniture removed or spaced farther apart. Protective barriers have been installed where needed.
These are the limited reopenings and service changes currently scheduled:
Animal Care & Control
The main shelter and the two PetSmart Adoption Centers are open to the public. Guests must wear face coverings, and temperature checks will be performed at the entrance to the main shelter. Social distancing will be practiced at all times.
City Council
The June 2 City Council meetings will be open to the public. The Council work session will be at 3 p.m. in Room 290 at City Hall, 200 Texas St. The Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall.
To promote social distancing, seating will be limited.
Though in-person presentations will be allowed at the 7 p.m. Council meeting, remote presentations are recommended. To sign up to speak, use the link on the agenda, call 817-392-6150 or email the City Secretary. Residents planning to make an in-person presentation should arrive early to ensure seating is available.
June 9 Council meetings have been canceled.
Community centers
Six community centers will be open on June 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for fitness center use only based on the size of the room and social distancing protocols:
Como, 4660 Horne St.
North Tri-Ethnic, 2950 Roosevelt Ave.
Victory Forest, 3427 Hemphill St.
Handley Meadowbrook, 6201 Beaty St.
Chisholm Trail, 4936 McPherson Blvd.
Northside, 1100 N.W. 18th St.
Register online for fitness center times.
Additional centers will open as protective measures are put in place.
Food distribution programs will continue to follow a drive-thru model.
Consumer Health
Classes for food handlers, child care and pool operators resume June 3. View dates and times. Guests must wear a face covering in all classes as well as in the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods. Social distancing will be practiced at all times.
Diversity & Inclusion
Client meetings will be conducted via phone or Webex. In-person meetings are by appointment only. To schedule a meeting, call 817-392-7525.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Starting June 1, the Garden will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Beginning June 13, the Garden will also be open on weekends. The first and last hour of the day (8-9 a.m. and 5-6 p.m.) are reserved for GROW members. Online ticketing will be in place, allowing contactless payments. The Garden Center will be closed except for ticketing and access to restrooms. The Trellis Gift Shop will open with limited capacity, allowing only four guests at a time.
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Beginning June 16, the Nature Center will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays only. Online ticketing will be in place, allowing contactless payments. The Hardwicke Interpretive Center will remain closed. Online reservations will be required for available daily outdoor programming. Learn more on their website.
Library
On Tuesday, June 2, three Fort Worth Public Library locations will open to offer limited services under continued safety protocols:
East Regional Library, 6301 Bridge St.
Southwest Regional Library, 4001 Library Lane.
Summerglen Branch Library, 4205 Basswood Blvd. These locations will be open 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Curbside service will continue at those three locations during the same hours.
Visitors may stay no longer than one hour, including computer use and material checkout.
Building occupancy will be limited to no more than 25% of each location’s capacity. Customers will be directed to check out items using the self-service checkout kiosks.
In-person programs will not be offered at this time, but staff members continue to create online video presentations and coordinate live classes via Zoom.
Curbside service continues at four locations and will expand to more locations in June. The digital library, already robust before the health crisis, has expanded to offer more resources.
Log Cabin Village
Beginning June 16, the village will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Reservations and prepayment will be required, allowing contactless payments. The historic buildings will be viewable from the doorways, but guests may not enter the buildings. Learn more on their website.
McLeland Tennis Center
Indoor courts will reopen; no more than 10 players are allowed at one time.
Municipal Court
Fort Worth Municipal Court’s first-floor service windows will reopen 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1 at the A.D. Marshall Public Safety and Courts Building, 1000 Throckmorton St. Capacity will be limited.
Court on Demand allows the public to appear remotely to perform many court functions, including entering pleas, requesting payment plans, community service, compliance dismissals, driver’s safety course, deferred disposition (probation) and others. All that is required is a stable internet connection, a video device with a microphone and a working email address. This will allow residents to receive and sign documents electronically. Request a virtual courtroom appearance by calling 817-392-6700 or visiting the municipal court webpage. Select the “Let’s Chat” icon 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Park reservations
Residents may resume reserving park facilities for fewer than 10 attendees. Athletic field reservations are available for groups of fewer than 10 participants on practice fields. Games with fewer than 10 participants will be allowed after June 15. For reservations, call 817-392-5718.
For a complete list of city services that were modified during COVID-19, view the City Services Guide. Information is updated daily so that residents can find the most current information. Residents can also call the city’s Call Center at 817-392-1234 for city service updates.