Cool Oasis
By Meda Kessler
We know it as the “pyramid parklet.” That’s what we dubbed the privately owned traffic island bordered by Burnett, 6th and 7th streets on the western edge of downtown Fort Worth.
The nickname references the translucent pyramidlike dome closest to the island’s narrow end, a skylight for the underground pedestrian tunnel — yes, that really exists.
Photo by Meda Kessler
Alex Katz, Park Avenue Departure, porcelain enamel on shaped steel with steel core, 2019. This sculpture series is based on Ava, Katz’ wife. Image courtesy of Paul Kasmin Gallery © Alex Katz/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY
Now, as a result of a collaboration among the owners of First on 7th (the adjacent office building), the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Kinler Landscape Architecture, the parklet is becoming a petite sculpture garden featuring three of the Modern’s permanent works from artists Alex Katz, Jesús Bautista Moroles (a Texas native who went to art school in Denton) and George Segal.
Project manager Michael Kinler says the installation grew from initial talks with the Modern about adding a few plants around a sculpture to a full-blown reimagining of the parklet, substituting synthetic turf for the scraggly grass and ground cover and adding ornamental redbud trees, native plants, lighting and limestone blocks for seating. With two restaurants (one coming later this year) and a coffee shop as First on 7th tenants, the option to sit and hang out in a unique space should make it a welcome addition
Jesús Bautista Moroles, Texas Shield, granite, 1986 Image courtesy of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth