Issues we are tracking

§  Scenic Cities Awards. The Texas Municipal League’s annual meeting is in Fort Worth in 2025. Join Scenic Texas and Scenic Fort Worth at the Convention Center on October 30, 2025 to celebrate Scenic Cities from across the state. The deadline for voting for the People’s Choice Award is September 30th. VOTE NOW for Fort Worth!

§  Kiosk signage. Kiosk advertising signs are being installed in other cities like Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles. In Fort Worth, these signs are considered off-premise advertising and are illegal. We oppose efforts to allow their installation in Fort Worth.

§  Digital signage and billboard conversions. The increased presence of  electronic changeable copy signs via zoning variances and weak oversight is concerning. We advocate for more rigorous enforcement of regulations.

§  Legislation. We follow the Texas Legislature every two years, working with city lobbyists and like organizations to promote legislation that protects the scenic character of our state roadways. We fight attempts to weaken the right of city governments to regulate local standards. Concurrently, we monitor rule changes at Texas Department of Transportation which regulates signage, tree removal and landscaping along those roads.

§  Bandit signs. Bandit signs, temporary signage posted by civilians in unauthorized spaces, are illegal both in Fort Worth and statewide. Recent legislative action has increased prohibitions of bandit signs. To learn more about bandit signs in Fort Worth, read more here or download MyFW App to report code violations.

§  Dark Skies. Since 2021, we have partnered with the City of Fort Worth on its Lights Out initiative twice annually during bird migrations. The city is committed to protecting birds and to saving energy as well. Participating in this initiative is a great way to do both.

§  Open Spaces. We celebrate the Open Space Conservation Program, part of Fort Worth’s Good Natured Greenspace Initiative that strives to elevate and align parks, open space and watersheds to secure a resilient and thriving future for Fort Worth.

§  Heritage Park Plaza. The National-Register listed Heritage Park Plaza was designed by internationally acclaimed landscape architect Lawrence Halprin in 1976 to commemorate Fort Worth’s founding. Located on a high bluff on the north side of downtown, it was closed for safety reasons almost twenty years ago and has been fenced off from the public ever since.  Public/private fundraising has been underway for the last ten years to restore the plaza and add extensive park-like amenities. It is close to reaching its $55 million goal.

§  Gateway Park. On the eastside of Fort Worth, Gateway is the largest park in the city. We support the vision outlined in its master plan and advocate for funds to complete its development. The Fort Worth 2026 bond program calls for major improvements to Gateway Park. Public hearings are scheduled prior to the bond election in May 2026.