Frequently Asked Questions

park.rez.faq.3.png

Questions about athletic field reservations

Which Athletic Complexes have restrooms/electricity/other amenities? 

You can filter parks based on amenities on our ActiveNet webpage, where you can also directly reserve parks. 

 

When are the portable toilets cleaned, and how often? 

Restrooms and portable toilets are cleaned 2-3 times weekly. 

 

Is there a difference between game fields and practice fields?

The City of Fort Worth Athletic Fields are broken down into level 1 and level 2 fields. Level 1 fields are most appropriate for games, while our level 2 fields are more appropriate for practices. Level 1 fields are maintained on a more consistent basis and typically have lights and enclosed fields. To find a park with the features you are looking for, please visit our ActiveNet webpage and search parks by amenities. 

 

Do the fields have lights after dark? 

Level 1 Field lights will automatically switch on fifteen minutes before dusk or fifteen minutes before your reservation with lights, whichever comes first. If the lights fail to turn on, please notify the on-site monitor or contact Athletics Reservations at 817-392-7988. 

For Level 2 Fields, a code to the light box must be entered before the lights will turn on. For the code, please call 817-392-7699 before 2pm on the day of your reservation.    

 

Which fields can I have a DJ/alcohol/dogs/filming/etc.? 

There are various ordinances surrounding the above: 

  • DJs are allowed in the park, but must adhere to a reasonable noise level for the group's size.
  • Alcohol is not allowed in any of the fields.
  • Pets are not allowed inside the gates. Service animals must be on a leash.
  • Filming is allowed with a permit, but exclusions do apply (contact ParkReservations@fortworthtexas.gov for details)
  • For more information about ordinances, visit our Parks and Trails webpage. There, you can see each park, their ordinances, and other helpful information.

 

Are bounce houses allowed at the Sporting Complexes? 

No bounce houses are allowed at Sporting Complexes.  

 

Where can I make a reservation? 

All reservations can be made on our ActiveNet webpage 

 

How are the fields prepared for games vs. practices?  

All Level 1 Baseball and Softball Fields are prepared every day from Monday through Friday, but not on Saturday and Sunday for games and practices.   

As of January 1st 2024, all prepared fields at Gateway Softball, Rockwood, Z-BOAZ, Sycamore #3, and Northwest Community that need to be lined and marked with chalk for games and scrimmages will require an additional $10.00 per reservation.   

Each week, all Level 1 grass soccer fields are lined and mowed.  

Although Level 2 fields are mowed every 21 days, they are never lined.  

 

Do the Soccer Fields come with corner flags?

Soccer Reservations do not come with corner Flags. 

 

Do the Softball and Baseball Fields come with bases?

Bases are only provided at Gateway Softball and Northwest Community Park. Gateway Softball you can request either 60’ or 70’ bases. 

 

How far in advance can I make a reservation?

Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance for most fields. 

  

How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?

Reservations require three days advance notice of your requested date.   

 

How can I change/cancel my reservation?

You can request a reservation modification or cancelation by emailing Athletics@FortWorthtexas.gov with your permit number, date of reservation, location of reservation and point of contact. A reservation cannot be changed within 72 hours. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all cancellations. 

As of January 1st 2024, all reservation cancellations/changes will now require a 72-hour notice.  

 

Can I show up early or leave late for set up and clean up?

Your allotted time includes set up and clean up. You are not able to go past your reservation time.  

  

What time will the gates be open to the Level 1 Fields?

The gates will be unlocked 15 minutes before your reservation.  

 

Who requires a reservation?

  • Vendors (Food, fitness, event, service, etc.)
  • Walk/Runs
  • Special Events
  • Filming
  • Photographers 
  • Parties
  • Drone Use
  • Wildlife Research
  • Sporting Events
  • Weddings

  

Will the reservation deposit be refunded?

Tournaments only Require Deposits  

  1. Request for Tournament dates for the following year are due by November 1st for the following season. Note: For weekend tournaments presidents/designated representatives are required to submit a written tournament schedule on the Monday prior to the tournament weekend. Failure to submit a schedule on the Monday prior to the tournament will incur a violation of these guidelines.
  1. The first tournament game will not begin prior to 8 a.m.
  1. Tournaments held at Gateway Park (synthetic/grass soccer and/or softball) and Rolling Hills Soccer complex are required to pay a deposit of $350.00. This deposit is refundable if the tournament is cancelled with proper notice given. 
  1. 7-14 days before the tournament will result in loss of rental deposit. 
  1. 15-22 days before rental will result in a loss of 50% of the rental deposit plus a City of Fort Worth $10 processing fee. 
  1. 23-30 days before rental will result in a full refund of the rental deposit, with a City of Fort Worth $10 processing.
  1. Payment for all Tournaments will be due by Monday the week of the tournament.

User-groups who elect to sell merchandise (T-shirts, hats, etc.,) sell admission tickets or any other profit making activity during league and/or tournament play must receive prior approval. This request must be submitted in writing at least two weeks in advance of said activity. By City contract, 10% of all proceeds from merchandise or other revenue making activities shall be paid to the City of Fort Worth 

  

Can I get a refund if my event is cancelled due to poor weather conditions?

You can be refunded, without penalty, in the event of poor weather. 

Determination of severe weather conditions shall be the responsibility of the Athletics section administrative staff. The City of Fort Worth has instituted a field closure policy for activities held on athletic fields due to excessively high/low temperatures. When outside temperatures reach 110 degrees or higher all games and practices will be cancelled in advance or immediately terminated. In addition, when temperatures fall below 32 degrees games and practices will be cancelled in advance or immediately terminated. The Athletics dept staff will notify user-groups when these unsafe temperature situations arise. 

  1. The City of Fort Worth Athletics division updates a rainout line (817.672.6714) or Rainout Line - Extensions daily to provide the current status of athletic field playing conditions. On week night game days, the rainout line will be updated no later than 2pm. On weekend game days the rainout line will be updated no later than 7:30am.  On all game days/practices, a league representative will be contacted by the Athletic Coordinator or designated staff for cancellation notification. NO GAMES WILL BE ALLOWED ON FIELDS DEEMED UNPLAYABLE BY THE ATHLETICS SECTION.
  1. All fields will be closed on City of Fort Worth Holidays. These include: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day before and after, and Christmas Day.
  1. Any deviation from this policy must be pre-approved by the Athletic Superintendent.
  1. Lighting: The onsite Sports Field Monitor will clear the fields when lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius. No players or participants will be able to return within 20 minutes of the last strike of lightning. Each time a lightning strike occurs within a 10-mile radius, the clock will reset to 20 minutes.

What if I reserve the field and someone is there, what should I do?

If there is someone occupying a field that you have reserved, you can display your permit to staff and inform them that you have a reservation. Generally, our amazing civilians will leave, but should they refuse, you can contact the Field Monitor on site at 817-392-7988, FWPD on the non-emergency line at 817-392-4222 or email us at Athletics@fortworthtexas.gov  for a resolve if it is after hours, we will get back to you on the next business day and offer you a resolution for your inconvenience. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions about pavilion and open space reservations

Where can I make a reservation?

All reservations can be made on our ActiveNet webpage

 

How far in advance can I make a reservation?

Reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

 

How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?

Reservations require two weeks advance notice of your requested date; some exceptions may apply.

 

How can I change/cancel my reservation?

You can request a reservation modification or cancelation through the Change of Service form located on the Park Reservations webpage

 

Can I show up early or leave late for set up and clean up?

If the reserved spot is available and unoccupied, you are able to use the area early. However, your allotted time includes set up and clean up. You are not able to go past your reservation time. 

 

Who requires a reservation?

  • Vendors (Food, fitness, event, service, etc.)
  • Walk/Runs
  • Special Events
  • Filming
  • Photographers 
  • Parties
  • Drone Use
  • Wildlife Research
  • Sporting Events
  • Weddings

 

 

Questions about parks

Which parks have restrooms/electricity/other amenities?

You can filter parks based on amenities on our ActiveNet webpage, where you can also directly reserve parks.


When are the portable toilets cleaned, and how often?

Restrooms and portable toilets are cleaned 2-3 times weekly and prior to scheduled reservations.


Which park is the best?

All of the parks in our city are the best, but one of the most requested parks is Trinity Park due to its central location. To find a park with the features you are looking for, please visit our ActiveNet webpage and search parks by amenities.


Do the parks have lights after dark?

Not all parks have lights after dark. In fact, many of those parks have hours “from dawn to dusk” for that reason. A list of parks and their park hours can be found on our Parks and Trails webpage


Which parks can I have a DJ/alcohol/dogs/filming/etc.?

There are various ordinances surrounding the above:

  • DJs are allowed in the park, but must adhere to a reasonable noise level for the group's size.
  • Alcohol is not allowed in many of the parks, that information can be found in the far-left pane under the park name that you are requesting (for details visit our Parks & Trails webpage)
  • Dogs are allowed in the parks as long as they are on a leash.
  • Filming is allowed with a permit, but exclusions do apply (contact ParkReservations@fortworthtexas.gov for details)
  • For more information about ordinances, visit our Parks and Trails webpage. There, you can see each park, their ordinances, and other helpful information.

 

Are bounce houses allowed at the parks?

Generally, yes bounce houses are allowed at parks. The only exception is Trinity Park where they are prohibited due to the high volume of traffic.


Other reservation questions

Will the reservation deposit be refunded?

Deposits are processed the week following your reservation. Depending on the payment type, your refund will be processed within 2-4 weeks.

 

Can I get a refund if my event is cancelled due to poor weather conditions?

You can be refunded, without penalty, in the event of poor weather.

 

If I plan to have a class or other event and I plan to charge a participant’s fee, is a permit and/or a reservation needed? What is the cost/fee?

If you are planning an event in the park a reservation is required. Reach out to us at ParkReservations@fortworthtexas.gov for an event application and we can set up the event for you and get proper pricing.

 

What if I reserve the park/pavilion and someone is there, what should I do?

If there is someone occupying a pavilion that you have reserved, you can display your permit and inform them that you have a reservation. Generally, our amazing civilians will leave, but should they refuse, you can contact FWPD on the non-emergency line at 817-392-4222 or email us at ParkReservations@fortworthtexas.gov for a resolve if it is after hours, we will get back to you on the next business day and offer you a resolution for your inconvenience.

 

Park reservation calculator

I still need help!

Pavilion and open space reservations

If you are unable to complete an online reservation or have questions please complete the park reservation application and staff will contact you. 

 

Athletic field reservations

If your reservation is for a athletic field, please email Athletics@fortworthtexas.gov.  

 

 

 

When making a reservation, keep these things in mind:

  • Park hours for general reservations vary. Please check Park and Trails for the hours of individual parks.

  • A reservation is only for the rentable area of a park, such as a pavilion or open space, not the entire park. The public is still allowed access to the park during reservations.

  • All reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to departmental approval.

  • Reservations must include set up and clean up times and may be booked up to 1 year in advance.

  • Reservations for private events must be made a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the event.

  • Reservations for public events must be made a minimum of 45 days prior to the event. Failure to do so may result in denial of the request or a late fee may be charged.

  • Reservations are confirmed and final only once full payment and all permits are signed (as well as all required documentation for special events) and have been received by the Park Reservations Office.

  • For nonprofit organizations, please provide documentation that demonstrates your organization's tax-exempt or nonprofit status (such as a letter from the Internal Revenue Service, Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate, etc.).