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Fort Worth council approves partnership to build Fred Rouse memorial park
Summary
Council approved a partnership to create the Fred Rouse Memorial Park, honoring the only recorded African American lynching victim in Tarrant County; family members and advocates thanked the council at the meeting.
The Fort Worth City Council voted to approve a partnership to develop a memorial park honoring Fred Rouse, whose family and community advocates have sought official recognition of his lynching in Tarrant County.
Family members and local advocates attended the council meeting and described the memorial as both an act of remembrance and a step toward reconciliation. Fred Rouse III told the council his grandfather is the only recorded African American person to be lynched in Tarrant County; Tamika Gordon, president of the Tarrant County Coalition for Peace and Justice, said the memorial will provide a sacred space for mourning and a place for transformation.
Council context and motion
Councilmember Beck introduced the family to the dais and praised city staff for their work to facilitate the partnership. Councilmember Beck moved to approve M&C 25‑0746, the motion was seconded, and the council voted to approve the item.
What the action does
The approved M&C authorizes the city to partner on the development of the Fred Rouse Memorial Park; the item’s supporting materials, staff reports, and implementation steps were not detailed on the record at the meeting beyond the council’s vote to approve the partnership.
Ending
Family members and community leaders thanked the council for the vote. Staff will carry out the implementation steps required under the approved partnership and report back to council as those actions are scheduled.
