Fort Worth Water Gardens, Fort Worth

We read about how the kids could splash around in the fountains and thought it would be a nice treat for them. We drove out of our way to go there, paid $10 for parking, only to find signs that said no wading or swimming. The kids were extremely dissapointed.

When our daughter and grandson arrived in early June, we whisked them away to Fort Worth to sights they hadn't seen before.

The Fort Worth Water Gardens recently re-opened after a hiatus of two years, so we added this to our list of stops.

It was a boiling Texas afternoon, so the thought of being near a water attraction certainly appealed to us!

The Water Garden is designed to draw visitors to its core via staggered steps which pass over multi-levels of coursing water. Kids have a great time splashing in the water, but don't wear heels to this attraction!

This year-round public park was constructed in 1974 and is the work of architect Phillip Johnson. It is interesting to note that portions of the movie, LOGAN'S RUN were filmed here.

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The Water Gardens, located in downtown Fort Worth behind the convention center, is a very unique area for a city. Typically these kind of attractions require charges, but this particular one is completely free to the public. For shade, the quiet pool is very nice - located under an allee of trees and down some steps, this section of the garden seems to be overlooked compared to its counterpart, the active pool.

The active pool of course is quite unique because it is interactive: as you walk down the narrow steps, the water is falling beneath you and all around you. If you stand on one of the steps about half-way down and look back up, you feel kind of like you're moving! I don't think there are too many designs like this left in America, nor will there be too many in the near future - this place has insurance crawling all over its name (hence the drowning incident that occurred in 2004). But because of its unique geometries and water features, this should not be missed, especially on a hot summer day.

There is plenty of parking right next to the park and within one or two blocks, but it seems to be full pretty often. Because the driving in Fort Worth appears to be relatively easy, just drive around the block a few times until you see somebody pulling out. Then take their spot.

It is worth a 30 minute stop to walk around the Fort Worth Water Gardens. The fountains themselves are large, however the park itself is rather small. However it is a very interesting mix of various modern watern sculptures. They make for very dramatic pictures, as can bee seen by the one attached.

You can park on the street. Parking is free on weekends and after business hours on weekdays. They are free to visit.