Have you herd? PARD has got the goats!

Have you herd? PARD has got the goats!

Published on July 14, 2026

Move over, lawnmowers. There's a new grounds crew in town. And when you meet them, we think you'll agree: They truly are the "Greatest of All Time"!

A herd of goats is currently grazing in Fort Worth parks, tackling unwanted vegetation one bite at a time. These professional landscapers are helping maintain healthy green spaces while adding a little personality to the workday.

"Goats are a practical, environmentally friendly solution for managing invasive vegetation in our parks and open spaces," said Dave Lewis, director of the Park & Recreation Department. "They can access areas that are difficult for equipment to reach while improving habitat conditions for native species and creating a better park experience for our residents."

Stop by, say hello (from a respectful distance) and watch as they turn park maintenance into the most adorable public works project you've ever seen.

Where did they come from?

The City has contracted with two different "goat consultants" (yes, there is such a thing!): Restoration Grazing and Open Space Grazing. All told, their goats will tackle around 160 acres. (Nom, nom, nom!)

Where are they working?

• Restoration Grazing: Mosque Point Park, Patino Open Space, Love Circle Park
• Open Space Grazing: Lake Como Park

What are they snacking on?

Two words: Chinese privet! It's a highly invasive ornamental plant that has escaped backyards and overtaken many natural spaces in the area.

"Originally planted as an evergreen hedge, privet has since spread aggressively through our parks and open spaces," said Park Operations & Natural Resource Planner Michelle Villafranca. "To combat it, the City is calling in the experts: goats! These hungry herds act as natural, eco-friendly land managers by clearing thick brush."

It's also a culinary delight for grazing goats!

Why are goats the go-to groundskeepers?

Goats provide a safe, sustainable and cost-effective way to manage vegetation in natural areas. Their ability to reach steep, densely vegetated terrain and selectively consume brush and invasive plants makes them an effective tool for reducing wildfire risk, restoring native habitats and maintaining healthy ecosystems where traditional equipment is less practical.

Grazing is an increasingly important tool in ecological land management, particularly in natural areas, grasslands, riparian corridors and open spaces. When carefully planned and managed, grazing can mimic the role that large native herbivores historically played in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Using goats as "natural nibblers" also supports the Natural Land Management Policy recently greenlighted by the Fort Worth City Council.

The policy recognizes that effective natural area management differs from traditional park maintenance by focusing on long-term ecosystem health, resilience and adaptive stewardship.

"Goats are just one tool in our toolbox to control privet," Villafranca said. "In coming years, we will rotate in mulching equipment, prescribed fire and, hopefully, more goats."

Each method plays an important role in restoring healthy habitats. But if you ask us, the goats are hooves down the cutest conservation crew in Cowtown.

Watch the goats in action!

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