Can't get there from here (with apologies to REM)

Fort Worth's Cultural District is expanding in several directions now, and promises to make the entire district better than it already is. The addition to the Kimbell Art Museum, Louis Kahn's masterpiece, is now under construction (https://www.kimbellart.org/MuseumInfo/Architecture/Tour-Piano.aspx). The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (http://www.brit.org/visit/sustainable) has just opened their new campus on the northern edge of the Botanic Garden Center. These are very important additions to the best public spaces in Fort Worth. Living in Fort Worth, it is easy to take for granted what a great city this is. Fort Worth has so many places that make you want to "be." So, why do we insist on making people move around in their cars instead of through these wonderful spaces on foot?


Today, I set out on foot with the intention of walking between the Botanic Gardens and the west lawn of the Kimbell Art Museum. Starting out at the Botanic Garden Center, I intended to walk to the great lawn at the west side of the Kimbell Art Museum without going onto University. I made it part of the way...








Starting at the Botanic Garden Center, I proceeded through the new Botanic Research Institute of Texas landscape toward Harley Street. This was a great start and a wonderful extension to the Botanic Garden Center landscape. I was really drawn into and through this space and was feeling great despite the 95 degree day. So far so good.

The walk from BRIT to the west gate of the center gets very promising. There are paths wandering through the native landscape, lots of shade and color, and no crowds to distract you. Again, I felt drawn into and through this area. I was calm, but excited to get on with my journey to the Kimbell.

I was led to an inviting pedestrian gate at the northern edge of the property.

Then, bang! You can't get there from here.

Granted, the padlock is probably temporary to prevent you from wandering into the construction of Harley Street. We will hope for the best.

This is where my walking journey fell apart. No matter how the pedestrian transition across Harley is handled, you will always run into a permanent roadblock which is the Will Rogers Center. No way to go through, and all you can do is walk about a half mile west to the main parking area. The rest of the trip to the Kimbell becomes a little more arduous and a lot less interesting. Granted, you do get to visit the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. But, you have left the shelter of the landscape and have entered into the realm of cars.

In order for a good place to turn into a great space, there must be a fabric which moves you into and out of that place. You have to engage and invite people, or all of your efforts are wasted. This fabric is now in place in both the Botanic Gardens and (soon) the west lawn of the Kimbell, but there is a huge barrier between them. The cultural district belongs to the citizens of Fort Worth and we deserve to pass safely through it to other parts of the district. We, as the architects and planners in Fort Worth, along the Planning Department must do better. In my opinion, this is one of the most critical connections needed in Fort Worth. We are almost there! Stay tuned and let's see what happens next.