Friends of Bachman Lake Newsletter - May 2023
“There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.” ― Idowu Koyenikan
A rainout didn't stop a show of force from coming back on May 2nd and making Bachman Lake Park shine!
What a day we had cleaning up Bachman Lake Park on May 2nd, 2023. Thanks to Dallas Park and Recreation, Southwest Airlines, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and Madeline Bracken @thetrashytexan we were able to spread 30 cu. yards of mulch, pick up 618 lbs of trash and debris, and create wildflower seed balls for participants to take and spread in their own local nature spots! Thank you all, from Friends of Bachman Lake!
Friends of Bachman Lake is a major voice for the area, because we believe underserved does not mean undeserving.
These statistics for the Bachman Lake area tell a story and we hope you take the time to process, understand and join our friends group. We are creating change!
As a minimum, if you don't have the time, donate! It's all connected!
Have a say in planning a future Dallas
Why is there a chemical storage facility nearby? Why hasn't any development happened near several Green Line DART stations? Can we get a proper mix of grocery stores, shops, restaurants and residences in the open swaths of concrete near us? It's getting hotter here, so how about more green spaces too?
ForwardDallas is a long term process that takes community feedback about what works and doesn't in terms of land use around communities, then provides the City with community-forward guidance on possible zoning changes.
There are few chances you get to directly impact the changes you want to see in your communities. This is one of them. Attend a meeting or add your comments to the map at: https://bit.ly/42Div0Y
Looking fine while doing good
Friends of Bachman Lake recently created our very first t-shirt with the help of Dan Bradley and his local custom printing company, Bullzerk. Dan and his team print every shirt manually at their warehouse on Hall St. and are proud to be a mainstay of Dallas, partnering with local charities and organizations and investing the proceeds right back into our communities. But how can a simple t-shirt bring people together? Read the blog post from our news page.
Do you want one of your own?
By the comments we get when we wear them, it's clear that you folks want to be part of the action! We're working on a way for you to order shirts to have available for pickup so stay tuned for details!
All clear at the lake!
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) did an amazing job clearing up the silt and debris from Bachman Lake over the last year. The dredging is complete and "Bachman Island" is no more! If you haven't visited recently, people are commenting how the lake has never looked better! Shall we say, like a lake? Read up on the latest update from DWU.
A one-time resident reflects on how living in the area affected her art
We realize that Nora's exhibition at 500X Gallery has already closed, but her art and message deserved more airtime. We hope that you will read the D Magazine article where she recounts how her experiences growing up in the Bachman Area influenced her art. Inspirational, yet heartbreaking.
Books open doors, thank you Half Price Books!
A special donation from Half Priced Books to Friends of Bachman Lake has helped keep the Little Libraries at the park stocked! We love showing up with books since parents and kids alike shower us with appreciation, its practically like Christmas! Although Little Libraries are theoretically an exchange, we realize that in our community we should not expect anything back. Each book is a gift and each child that takes one is grateful.
Sadly, we now only have one Little Library left (by the Recreation Center), since the one by the Pavilion was vandalized and had to be removed due to safety issues.
EVENTS
Brand new Aquatic Center is ready!
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the brand new aquatic center at Bachman Lake Park. You are welcome to join the festivities between 5pm-7pm on Friday May 19th.
Council Member Omar Narvaez will be on hand with guests and members of the surrounding neighborhoods. Come join! The only aquatic center in the City with a lake view is ready for fun.
Dallas Park and Recreation Volunteers ... this breakfast is for you (and your invitees)!
Dallas Park and Recreation is thanking volunteers of all types to celebrate with them at Fair Park with a Saturday breakfast on May 20th from 9:00am-11:00am. The event will be at the Fair Park Coliseum (1438 Coliseum, Dallas, TX 75210). As a previous volunteer, you can invite everyone in your organization to attend. Bring your spouse, your kids, Boy Scout Troops, Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts or invite a friend!
Call 214-670-8973 or 214-670-8538 to RSVP by May 15!
Our Monthly Cleanup is every first Saturday!
You just need you but feel free to add friends and family to our monthly Plogging activities. Basically, it's picking up litter while jogging (or walking). A bag, some company if you like and a trip around the lake will help you stay active and healthy and keep the park beautiful!
See you this month!
Our ‘meeting of the minds’ at Bluffview Growler is on the 4th Wednesday of the month. No RSVP needed. Show up, say hello, grab a beverage and come sit with us to have some laughs and great talk!
Do you want to join the mailing list? Are you already on the list and need to update your information? Just click on the link below!