Foster Park pond dredging project completed ahead of schedule with strong focus on wildlife and water quality

Fort Worth, Texas – The City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department has announced the successful early completion of the highly anticipated dredging project at Foster Park, a key step in improving water quality and restoring ecological balance to the area’s three ponds. The project, aimed at environmental renewal and infrastructure improvement, wrapped up ahead of schedule thanks to coordinated teamwork and expert oversight.

Project Goals and Achievements

The dredging initiative was designed to restore the health and sustainability of all three ponds within Foster Park. Crews focused on deepening the ponds, clearing excess sediment, and improving the water system overall. According to officials, “the dredging work was designed to improve water quality, restore pond depth and support the long-term ecological balance of Foster Park.”

Work crews removed an impressive 7,260 cubic yards of sediment—the equivalent of 605 truckloads—achieving a depth of more than three feet across all ponds. They also repaired and replaced rip-rap rock along several weir walls, restored staging areas, and hydro-mulched nearby grass to encourage healthy regrowth.

Today, signs of life are already returning to the water. Turtles, fish, ducks, and other aquatic species are thriving again, showing clear benefits from the environmental improvements made during the dredging.

Teamwork and Leadership Drove Results

The project was spearheaded by the Transportation & Public Works (TPW) Stormwater Operations Division, with Stormwater Supervisor Roy Fickle overseeing the on-site operations. His daily coordination ensured that the project stayed on track and exceeded expectations.

“Thanks to the hard work of the Transportation & Public Works (TPW) Stormwater Operations Division, the project wrapped up earlier than expected,” the department stated.

Environmental Guidance at Every Step

In keeping with its environmental commitments, the department brought in Jeremy Jordan, a Professional Wetland Scientist and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department-permitted stream ecologist, to guide the process. Jordan’s oversight helped make sure that best practices were followed, and that wildlife safety remained a top priority throughout the project. Aquatic life was relocated safely, and disruptions to animals were minimized.

Currently, the upper and middle ponds are fully replenished, while the lower pond is holding enough water for wildlife and is expected to refill naturally with the next rainfall.

Park & Recreation Director Dave Lewis praised the project, saying, “This project demonstrates our commitment to balancing infrastructure improvements with environmental stewardship. We are especially proud of the collaboration between Park & Recreation and TPW Stormwater staff, whose hard work allowed us to complete the project and finish ahead of schedule.”