Dunaway's Innovative Design Redefines Community Health in Fort Worth

Transforming Community Health in Fort Worth

The Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center, recently inaugurated in Fort Worth, is a groundbreaking development addressing decades of healthcare inaccessibility in the area. For over thirty years, residents of Las Vegas Trail (LVT) have faced limited access to healthcare, often categorized as a "healthcare desert." In a stark reality, data from 2021 revealed that residents made over 4,000 visits to distant emergency and urgent care centers for what should have been routine primary care. The absence of nearby healthcare facilities has long been a pressing issue for the local population, and the new health center offers a long-awaited remedy.

The opening of the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center in late 2025 marks a significant turning point for community health. This initiative is a collaboration involving key stakeholders like Cook Children's, JPS Health Network, and the City of Fort Worth. The center boasts a vast 40,000-square-foot building, which houses pediatric care from Cook Children's, adult care services from JPS, behavioral health resources, social services, a food pantry, an educational space, and even a police substation, all positioned at the center of the community for easy access.

The Butterfly Effect Design

One unique feature of the health center’s design is its underlying butterfly theme, which embodies concepts of growth, renewal, and transformation—similar to the journey of the community it serves. This design motif not only holds symbolic weight but also aligns with the migratory path of monarch butterflies through North Texas. The butterfly theme is thoughtfully woven into the architecture and landscaping, creating a narrative that resonates with local identity.

Upon entering the health center, visitors are welcomed by a beautifully designed plaza adorned with butterfly-patterned pavement stamps, planter pots, and outdoor seating. Shade structures resembling butterfly wings enhance the outdoor experience, while play areas incorporate colorful graphics of caterpillars and butterflies, guiding children through their own transformative journeys. To support local ecology, the landscaping features native pollinator-friendly plants, such as Texas lantana and black-eyed Susans, fostering year-round color and habitat.

Safety and Accessibility

Creating a safe and accessible environment was paramount in the design of the site. Given the existing grading and stormwater challenges on the 3.7-acre plot, Dunaway's civil engineers employed innovative solutions such as underground detention systems to mitigate stormwater issues while preserving the aesthetic appeal of the landscape. The design includes public sidewalks and pedestrian pathways, enhancing accessibility for community members and ensuring that everyone can reach essential services.

Additionally, the center’s layout incorporates multiple access points to facilitate smooth navigation for patients and staff. Careful attention was paid to the placement of utilities to keep them unobtrusive, allowing free views of signage and thematic elements that define the center's identity. Stability was also a concern due to tricky soil conditions, which led to the implementation of a suspended structural foundation, complemented by exposed tube-steel canopies offering additional architectural flair.

A Community Metamorphosis

The Las Vegas Trail community is witnessing a transformation akin to that of a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. Through thoughtful site design and innovative structural solutions, the Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center stands as a beacon of hope and access for families in the area. This project not only provides healthcare services but also embodies resilience and dignity for its residents, promoting a healthier future.

Whether they are seeking physical health services, mental health support, or community resources, families can now find what they need close to home in a facility that prioritizes their wellbeing.

At Dunaway, we believe that community transformation is possible. Our multidisciplinary approach has shown that by reimagining spaces through innovative design, we can breathe new life into neighborhoods and deliver essential services more effectively. With a commitment to visionary healthcare design, we invite other communities to join us on this transformative journey, fostering environments where everyone has access to quality care.

About Dunaway

Founded in 1956, Dunaway is a multidisciplinary firm offering a range of services including civil and structural engineering, planning and landscape architecture, and GIS. With offices throughout Texas, we collaborate with both public and private sectors to develop sustainable, community-oriented solutions.