Joel McElhany serves as Assistant Director of the Planning & Resource Management Division for the City of Fort Worth’s Park & Recreation Department.

In this role, he oversees the Capital Improvement Program, Planning, Forestry, and Trades Infrastructure and Maintenance sections. His team is responsible for parkland acquisition, long-range planning, asset management, and implementation of the department’s Neighborhood and Community Park Dedication Policy.

Joel has more than 30 years of professional experience, including over two decades in parks and recreation. His work has focused on aligning capital investments with community needs, maintaining and expanding Fort Worth’s park system, and guiding major initiatives such as GREENprint Fort Worth, the 2025 Park, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan.

He has also played a key role in the delivery of voter-approved bond programs, including the 2022 Bond Program and preparation for the upcoming 2026 Bond Program.

A licensed landscape architect, Joel holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is a graduate of the Leadership Fort Worth Class of 2019 and works closely with city and regional partners to ensure that Fort Worth’s park system continues to grow in step with the city’s rapid development.

Outside of work, Joel and his wife, Anna, enjoy exploring Fort Worth’s parks and trails with their two children. He is an avid cyclist and often spends time on the Trinity Trails.