Friends of Bachman Lake

"Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat."

– Laura Ingalls Wilder

Keeping the Dallas Greenbelt Beautiful

Group of volunteers perform cleanup tasks. Three diverse individuals in foreground wearing matching blue t-shirts that say "Volunteer" in all capital letters. They are bagging trash.

Last year we did several events in conjunction with Greenspace Dallas and Texas Conservation Alliance. This year, we are adding the Keep Dallas Beautiful Program to the mix!

Keep Dallas Beautiful (KDB) is a program under the auspices of the City of Dallas Sanitation Department and focuses on three main pillars: litter prevention, recycling, and beautification. But involvement goes deeper with a host of ways volunteers can be a part of this initiative.

Photo of Bachman Lake Park indoor swimming pool during a time when it was open. There are no swimmers. — Indoor Pool at Bachman Lake Remains Closed

Bachman Recreation Center Indoor Pool Facility Still Closed As Repair Needs Are Assessed

Over the past few weeks, the consultant, MEP Consulting Engineers, has been studying the existing pool building HVAC system and determined there were too many unknowns, due to problems with current mechanical system components, to make a complete recommendation about solutions at this point in time. However, there was progress recently.

Here is the latest update from Dallas Park and Recreation:

The consultant partnered with a contractor to do testing and minor repairs. This work is necessary to just get a full picture of the problems. As of late March, the contractor had gone as far as they could within the confines of their agreement with the consultant. The contractor charged the refrigerant loop and oiled the compressors. They got the system running but had to shut it down quickly due to a leak in the chilled-water piping. There are a few other problems, besides the leak, that need to be fixed before the system can run and at least cool the space.

A price to fix the current problems from a Job Order Contractor (JOC) was recently solicited. After that, the system will be able run for a longer period of time so that the consultant can monitor the system in further detail. Until the system is running, the full extent of the problems and proposed solutions won't be known. The consultant says the major HVAC components are in good shape.

Link to the update ...

Newly paved path along the south side of Shorecrest drive as it approaches the intersection of Lemmon Avenue.

But Shorecrest is Open

It might feel that we takes two steps forward and one step back but if you've driven along Lemmon Avenue, you surely have noticed the new trail that the Aviation Department is putting in that will connect to Shorecrest and the Bachman Lake Trail. Recent barricades along Shorecrest where it meets Lemmon Avenue have been removed and traffic along that road has resumed. You'll also notice a new trail/sidewalk path as you drive along toward Lemmon. Progress!

A group of four smiles as they plant a tree at Bachman Lake Park.

A Tree Grows in Bachman. Actually 38 Trees.

With help from Texas Trees Foundation, an enthusiastic team set out in March to plant 38 native Texas trees on the south shore of the lake near the exercise equipment.

Read this post from the Candy's Dirt blog about the importance of planting native trees and keeping the area cooler, all while balancing the needs of the Park, the community and even the airport!

Well this helps make up for some trees cut down or lost to storms!

Bicycle lanes marked by bike symbols and white directional stripes and markings over a grey bricked surface.

Making Dallas Bike Friendly Requires A Long-Term Vision. Does the Dallas City Manager Share It?

After nearly three years of planning, the Dallas City Council is expected to approve the updated Dallas Bike Plan in May. Throughout this process, the Dallas Bicycle Coalition has actively participated in committee meetings and encouraged council members to stay focused on delivering safe cycling infrastructure to Dallas. While most Dallas residents are familiar with the mayor and city council members, the role of the Dallas City Manager — an appointed, non-elected position — is critical to our work, and the council-manager structure of our city should be part of our advocacy strategy..

Events

It's My Park Day and Greenspace Dallas Focus on the Creekside of Greenbelt

The Bachman Greenbelt will be the focus of cleanup and mulching during It's My Park Day at Bachman Lake Park. Saturday April 12 from 9am to noon. Meet along 3900 Shorecrest Drive where there will be a tent and supplies from Dallas Park and Recreation. Greenspace Dallas will also be on hand with volunteers to help with creekside cleanup.

Check our Events information for details ...

Meet and Greet the group at the Bluffview Growler on Northwest Highway every 4th Wednesday at 5pm

Meet and Greet Every 4th Wednesday

Join our 4th Wednesday Meet and Greet at On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen. Enjoy a casual time, talking about anything you want and eating and drinking anything you like! It's casual and it's fun! Check the events on our website for any updates or changes to these dates.

*Note that times/dates are subject to change. We will issue notices if the event changes or is postponed.