Fort Worth would have to pay almost $58 million to gravel all 2,300 unpaved alleyways in the city, an effort staff called an ineffective use of taxpayer dollars.
Graveling one alley block would cost the city slightly more than $25,000, according to a staff report to Fort Worth City Council members during their Aug. 5 work session meeting.
The effort would reduce the need for mowing services, which the city currently provides to 1,235 of its alleyways. However, gravel would create new upkeep responsibilities for the park and recreation department such as weed control and maintenance, according to the report.
Park & Recreation Director Dave Lewis presents a report on the cost of graveling alleyways during a Fort Worth City Council work session on Aug. 5, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
“Not only do we not have the upfront capital for (graveling alleyways), we don’t actually think it’s a very good use of money because we’d be maintaining them anyway,” said Dave Lewis, director of the city’s park and recreation department.
The report also notes that precise engineering would be necessary for stormwater draining in order to prevent runoff during heavy rainfalls from flooding residents’ yards.
Additionally, the report found alleyways would need a compacted flex base, a foundation layer typically found in roads, to improve durability. Those costs are not included in the estimated $58 million.
In 2023, the park and recreation department piloted a program to gravel one entire alleyway. Within months of the gravel installation, material fell away, and vegetation and potholes returned.
Currently, the city maintains alleys through the Unpaved Alleyway Mowing Program.
The program costs about $800,000 annually and services half of the 2,300 alleyways identified by the city as needing improvements. Alleyways included in the program receive mowing, tree trimming and litter removal on a quarterly basis.
Residents whose homes are adjacent to an alleyway not included in the mowing program can request a one-time alley mowing and cleanup from the city by going to the maintenance website.
Joel McKnight, assistant director for the Fort Worth Park & Recreation department, said the city pays for these services because the alleyways are city property.
There are 2,300 alley blocks in the city of Fort Worth’s inventory. Those marked in blue receive quarterly mowing and other services. (Courtesy | city of Fort Worth)
“The program started because we were looking to improve appearance and increase safety in neighborhoods,” said McKnight. “When you have overgrown areas it can tend to have a little more crime.”
McKnight said the alleyways that get mowed by the city were selected in collaboration with police and other departments in efforts to curb crime.
Council member Chris Nettles, who represents much of southeast Fort Worth, said the park department needed to find a better solution. He said alleyways are one of the biggest issues facing the Historic Southside neighborhood, which he represents. He added that high grass in alleyways could attract snakes and insects that could pose a threat to residents.
Council members did not indicate whether they plan to move forward with graveling alleyways. They asked park and recreation staff to research other options, including paving alleyways with asphalt, to find out what is most cost-effective.
Isaiah Rodriguez is a reporting intern for the Fort Worth Report. He is part of the University of North Texas Scripps Howard Fund Emerging Journalists Program. Contact him at isaiah.rodriguez@fortworthreport.org.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
Related
Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.
Republish This Story
Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details.