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55º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 5:36 p.m.

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🦁 We’re not lion about this news

A Wilder Vision for the Fort Worth Zoo

The world-famous Fort Worth Zoo will be even better in the next few years. | Photo by FTWtoday

Predators of Asia & Africa is getting ready to open this summer at the Fort Worth Zoo. The new habitat is part of a $130 million capital campaign called A Wilder Vision that the zoo has been working on since 2016.

Set to be completed in the spring of 2025, the development plan brings new and renovated habitats, amenities, and animal interactions. It also expands the zoo’s conservation efforts to protect endangered species and foster relationships between visitors and animals.

Keep reading for all of the roaring good things coming to the zoo.

Phase 1 | African Savanna

Opened in the spring of 2018, the habitat caters to the ecosystem of east Africa and features a deck for giraffe feedings, a 70-ft underwater hippo exhibit, as well as two African antelope species, colorful birds, rhinos, and meerkats.

Phase 2 | Elephant Springs

Opened in the spring of 2021, the renovation tripled the size of the original habitat with new pools and yards. The award-winning space is home to young elephants Brazos and baby Travis + a greater one-horned rhino.

FTW-zoo-predators-map — The zoo’s deadliest hunters will roam the Predators habitat.
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Map courtesy of the Fort Worth Zoo

Phase 3 | Predators of Asia & Africa

Projected to open this summer, the newest habitat will feature cascading waterfalls and pools for striped hyenas and Sumatran tigers. The lion habitat will be expanded with a larger yard + the cheetahs will be relocated for better viewing. The new habitat will also bring African leopards, clouded leopards, and a pack of African wild dogs to the zoo.

FTW-zoo-forests — Pathways, restaurants, and restrooms will be interspersed through the habitats.
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May courtesy of Fort Worth Zoo

Phase 4 | Forests & Jungles

Projected to open in the spring of 2025, the final development of the renovation will allow guests to wander through a lush jungle and see the zoo’s new okapi. The African bongos will also have a new home + the Sumatran orangutans will be relocated from the World of Primates to live in the treetop habitat.

Events

Monday, April 24

Early Voting | Monday, Apr. 24-Tuesday, May 2 | Times vary | Multiple locations, Tarrant County | Free | Cast your vote for mayor, city council, school board, and water district in the municipal elections.

Tuesday, April 25

TCU Baseball | Tuesday, Apr. 25 | 6-9 p.m. | Lupton Baseball Stadium, 3700 W. Berry St., Fort Worth | $6-$48 | Catch the Horned Frogs take on Dallas Baptist on trivia and walking taco night.

Wednesday, April 26

Willi Carlisle | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 8-10 p.m. | The Post at River East, 2925 Race St., Fort Worth | $20-$80 | Kick back with a cold one and enjoy a performance from the folk singer with special guest Willy Tea Taylor.

Thursday, April 27

Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | Thursday, Apr. 27-Saturday, Apr. 29 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Stockyards, 131 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | $90-$650 | The multi-day event includes a golf tournament, plaque unveiling, induction, and party with some of the greatest western athletes and cowpokes around.

Friday, April 28

Pink Martini | Friday, Apr. 28-Sunday, Apr. 30 | Times vary | Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth | $37-$87 | The globetrotting band is bringing its multi-language, multi-genre performance to Cowtown with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Monday, July 10

Lone Star Film Festival Summer Film Camp | Monday, July 10-Friday, Aug. 4 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | TCU Bob Schieffer College of Communication - Moudy South Building, 2805 S. University Dr., Fort Worth | $450-$500 | Register your teen for a two-week session where they will produce a short film that will screen at the Lone Star Film Fest in November.*

Calendar events here

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Active

🎉 Happy 1-year anniversary, SPENGA Saginaw

A group of women using fitness equipment during a Spenga class

SPENGA creates a multi-sensory experience with space dedicated specifically to each element of the workout. | Photo provided by SPENGA South Fort Worth

Calling all fitness fanatics: SPENGA (aka Fort Worth’s go-to boutique fitness studio) is celebrating its first anniversary. Fort Worthians are invited to join the party with a free SPENGA session and special event on Friday, April 28 from 3-6 p.m. at its Saginaw location (7056 Blue Mound).

SPENGA is a total body workout, which incorporates spin, strength, and yoga into a 60-minute session. Bonus: You’ll also receive a complimentary session to be used in the future. Explore the schedule and see why the SPENGA experience werks differently from other fitness classes.*

Celebrate with SPENGA

News Notes

Civic

Want to weigh in on the city’s Consolidated Plan? The five-year strategic plan identifies housing and development needs, draws on federal funding, and will be submitted to HUD in August. Attend one of the three public meetings this week or answer the 10-minute survey (available in three languages).

Concert

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Pearl Jam is headed to Funkytown this fall. The group will take the stage again at Dickies Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 13 + Friday, Sept. 15. Register as a Verified Fan before 7 p.m. tomorrow for ticket sales that open on Friday, April 28.

Jobs

The Trinity River Water District is looking for summer lifeguards for the Fourth of July and Rockin’ the River concert series at Panther Island Pavilion. Certified lifeguards over the age of 16 are invited to apply.

Feel Good

The city recently teamed up with Fort Worth ISD to host a sensory-friendly prom that prioritized comfort for all students — including low-volume music and no strobes or flashing lights. The city is hosting another prom for older adults on Saturday, Apr. 29. (NBC DFW)

Asked

“Pathways are your own concept, a projection of the heart.” That’s a line still dazzling us from our recent poetry contest. Be part of the judging panel and vote for your favorite poem. Fun fact: All the words in our finalists’ poems came from one of our newsletters.

Edu

Looking for a school with a close-knit family atmosphere, a focus on academics, and incredible staff who build relationships with each and every student? Meet: Chapel Hill Academy, a tuition-free public charter school operated by Lena Pope. Learn more about enrollment and apply.*

Real Estate

Buying your first home is stressful enough already — which is why it’s so important to choose a lender that makes your life easier, not harder. Our pick? United Texas Credit Union, of course.*

Drink

Hydration is key this time of year. Need to buy some water that will actually make you want to drink water? Meet Hint and use code 6AMCITY for over 45% off. (Hint: We love the Watermelon and Peach Raspberry flavors.)*

Travel

Itching to take a vacation? How about exploring some of our favorite destinations on the East Coast? We’ve rounded up a list of five drool-worthy vacation spots just for you. This romantic chateau in Nova Scotia is one of our favorites on the list. See the rest.

Holiday

Get excited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with our online shop (Six & Main). Cheers with this Margarita Bundle from Simple Times Mixers, and treat your taste buds with Sobremesa, a small-batch mole and salsa company.

Outdoors

Let’s get wild

How to plan an event in a national park

Planning a trip to Big Bend National Park? Make the most of it with these tips. | Photo by @deserthikes

If you’re planning a party — be it a family reunion, a wedding, or just because — we’ve got an idea that’s a breath of fresh air. Why not give your guests a gorgeous view by hosting an event in a national park? Follow these guidelines to make party planning a walk in the park.

Pick a park

Whether you want a local favorite like Big Bend National Park or something a little more niche, there are 424 national parks to choose from.

Get a permit

Most parks require a permit for special events. Fill out the application well in advance to avoid any delays. Pro tip: Some parks grant a permit up to a year before the event.

Spread the word

If your festivities are open to the public, let the community know by submitting an event to our website. We’d be delighted to attend.

Party on

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

The auction of a 11,800-sqft mansion kicks off today. Owned by former RadioShack CEO Len Roberts, the five-bedroom mansion at 4400 Overton Crest St. will start at $2.5 million. Sneak a peek at the French-style property with three home offices, a sauna, and a five-car garage.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Meet the Gifted Group, the team behind Magnolia’s newest retail destination.

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