A 2006 study of the park by city staff reported mechanical and plumbing deterioration, stairways without handrails, and a shifting foundation. The park had also become home to the homeless, thanks to the sheltered areas and privacy the park affords. The Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department has now closed and fenced off the park. The department advised the city council of the closing and concerns over liabilities.

Lisa Lowry, chairperson of Historic Fort Worth, told the Fort Worth Weekly she was troubled about the lack of public involvement in the decision to fence off the park.

The park was also assessed by the engineering firm of Carter & Burgess in the summer of 2007, but that was commissioned by a private party.

While Halprin saw the park as a quite retreat for the city dwellers, the city has been looking for solutions to problems at Heritage Park for decades. The Cultural Landscape Foundation has designated Fort Worth?EUR??,,????'???s Heritage Park a ?EUR??,,????'??landscape at risk?EUR??,,????'?? and cited Halprin?EUR??,,????'???s historic significance as a reason to restore and save the park.