Northpark YMCA | YMCA of Fort Worth
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
This YMCA location offers a strong sense of community, friendly staff, and clean facilities, with historically praised childcare and instructors. However, it is marred by severe and persistent issues with billing accuracy and resolution, as well as alarming allegations of racism and discrimination within youth programs that were reportedly not addressed by management.
Key Highlights
- ✓Consistently described as having a strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere.
- ✓Front desk staff are frequently praised for being friendly, helpful, kind, and positive upon entry.
- ✓Facilities are noted for being super clean and well-maintained.
- ✓Instructors, including those for adult classes, are described as engaging, kind, and caring, willing to modify activities to meet diverse physical needs.
- ✓Child care services and instructors were historically well-regarded by a long-term member.
Standout Features
- ⭐A strong sense of community and welcoming general atmosphere (prevalent in positive reviews).
- ⭐Friendly and helpful front desk staff.
- ⭐Clean and well-maintained facility premises.
- ⭐Historically positive experience with childcare services and instructors (prior to billing issues).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Parents considering enrollment should meticulously scrutinize all billing statements and payment records due to widespread reports of overcharging and incorrect account information.
- →Be prepared for potential significant delays and difficulties in resolving any financial discrepancies with the YMCA's management.
- →For parents of minority children or those concerned about inclusivity, it is crucial to proactively inquire about the YMCA's diversity policies, staff training on discrimination, and the specific procedures for handling such incidents *before* enrollment, given the serious allegations.
- →Consider visiting the facility to observe the general environment, but be aware that systemic issues like billing or discrimination response may not be immediately apparent during a casual visit.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Severe and persistent issues with billing accuracy, leading to overcharging and incorrect account updates.
- ⚠Extremely poor customer service for resolving financial discrepancies, with reported delays of two weeks for manager callbacks and general unavailability of management to fix issues.
- ⚠Allegations of racism and discrimination within youth programs/teams, involving coaches, kids, and their parents.
- ⚠Specific incident reported where a child was allegedly refused inclusion in a group picture.
- ⚠Complaints regarding discrimination were reportedly not taken seriously by management or corporate, with no effective resolution or follow-up.
- ⚠Perception of a lack of diversity and tolerance for discrimination at this specific location, contrasting negatively with other YMCA branches.
Price & Value
No specific pricing is mentioned, but the value is significantly undermined by widespread reports of billing errors and the difficulty in resolving them, potentially leading to unexpected costs and considerable frustration. While child care and classes were historically valued, the current administrative issues detract from this perceived value.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations for children's programs are mentioned. An adult yoga instructor is noted for modifying poses for various physical needs, but this does not directly imply broader accessibility for children's special needs.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No information on food and drink policies for summer camps or general facility use is provided in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No information regarding parking availability or convenience is mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No information on crowd levels for summer camps or general facility use is provided in the reviews.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features for summer camps are explicitly mentioned. While a review refers to the place as a 'safe place' for an adult member, this does not detail safety protocols for children. However, the allegations of discrimination raise significant concerns about the social and emotional safety and inclusivity of the environment for children.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you are highly sensitive to potential billing errors or expect prompt and effective resolution of financial issues.
- • If you prioritize a rigorously enforced non-discriminatory environment and a strong, proactive institutional response to allegations of racism, especially for minority children participating in youth programs.
- • If you expect swift and serious action from management or corporate regarding complaints, particularly those involving sensitive social issues like discrimination.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Parents Night Out (Northpark YMCA)
Not specified
Not specified
Enjoy a night out with the peace of mind that your child is safe and having fun.
Teen Nights (Northpark YMCA)
Not specified
Not specified
Epic events that hold space for teens to meet up, learn, grow and have a blast together!
🍎Food Policy
- • For YMCA Camp Carter Corporate Retreats, catering options include buffet-style meals, barbecues, and customized menus. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. (Implies food service capabilities, but specific policies for kids' camps are not detailed.)
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All program participants are safeguarded with vigilant supervision, certified staff, thorough safety protocols, and emergency preparedness.
- • Staff are background checked annually, work history verified, and reference checks completed prior to hiring.
- • Extensive training on safety and programming, including an in-depth course on abuse awareness and prevention, is provided to staff.
- • Teams are trained and certified to protect and care for children and youth.
📅Booking Policy
- • Online registration system used for all camp programs.
- • Immunization records and other necessary resources are helpful to expedite the registration process.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 12 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Lauren Barnes
a month agoI’ve been coming to this YMCA since I was 16, and it truly feels like a second home. The sense of community is incredible—every time you walk through the doors, you’re greeted with kindness and positivity. The front desk staff is always friendly and helpful, and the gym itself is super clean and well-maintained. Special shoutout to Marcus for leading the best Cycle classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Couldn’t recommend this place more
Carrie Hinze
4 months agoWelcoming, friendly front desk people. Kind, caring, Gentle Yoga class with Leanne. Leanne modifies Yoga poses for those who may need a little extra help and/or encouragement. No matter how old or cranky our bodies may be, Leanne knows a way for us to all do Yoga in a way that is helpful. She provides for all needs, whether you have a younger body or an older body. I always feel more energetic and more relaxed when I leave Yoga class. And I've been with friends who care about me and about each other. It's a community, and I'm so happy to be a part of it.
Cristina G.P.
4 months agoIve been with them for the past 3 yrs. I’ve love the classes, child care and instructors. I work 12-16 hrs a day and this place use to be my safe place. Didn’t have any issues. However, the past months they been having issues on charges or don’t updates the information when given. and I’ve been over charged. It takes about 2 wks to get a manager to call back or to give you time to settle the issue. Till now there is no manager available to fix the issues or over payments. It is sad to see there is no effort to fix issues. They only ask to either pay it( even when the amount is wrong).
Bunny B
3 months agoThis place is a racist with some coaches and kids with their parents. The Arlington/ Mansfield is much better.The few blacks had working there were a Uncle Tom. Especially the white coach he was the ring leader. They had a group picture and they refused to take it with my child. I had made a complaint about it nothing was done. This location tolerant discrimination with teacher it. This happened 2yrs ago. I had asked them about switching to another different team. Because the girls was mostly white and didn't want to practice with her. When I tried to addressed my concerns to the person above or corporate. They didn't take me seriously like it was some kind of joke. They had some would trying to help. I was surprised it's supposed to be diversity. I had been at the Arlington) Mansfield area with no problem for yrs. I am guessing it all depends on the location with some bad seeds.
Robin M
a year agoHelpful and friendly staff, clean facility, and great classes to choose from. Absolutely LOVE the Silver Sneakers classes! I'm kicking myself for not getting involved in them sooner since I've had my membership at the YMCA for some time now. The instructors are engaging and the classes while gentle are very effective.