Friends of Bachman Lake Newsletter - September 2023
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." – James Baldwin
Greenspace Dallas and #FoBL team up for Saturday Social cleanup
#GreenspaceDallas and #FoBL teamed up for Social Saturday on August 26 to give some more TLC to the paths being created along the #BachmanLake Park Greenbelt. What an amazing job our friends at Greenspace Dallas have done! You can now see what a wonderful trek it will be between the main park and the Greenbelt to the east. This video looks westward toward the park where you can see the Embassy Suites (on Northwest Highway) in the distance. We're already seeing curious bikers along the path which has a bit of work left.
Funding for the construction of the nature trails was provided by community members like you, as this type of project is not funded by the City. Friends of Bachman Lake coordinated the work with Greenspace Dallas. There is still much that remains to be done to make the Bachman Greenbelt a showcase of Texas Native Plants.
Please help us meet our $5,000 fundraising goal through North Texas Giving Day which is on September 21. The great news is that we can accept donations now! We plan on using the money to fund Backland Prairie seed mix and protective materials such as posts and rope to create a native plant zone for the nature trails. It's going to be amazing but we need your help. Please donate.
Bachman Lake Dam Update
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) held an in-person update at the Bachman Lake Recreation Center on August 29 to give the public a close-up view of what the upcoming dam reconstruction will look like. Slated to begin later this year, the 2-year project will reinforce the 100+ year-old dam, modernize the water runoff areas, create a more shallow slope to minimize erosion and provide more protections for aquatic center and upcoming skate park.
The plans call for the removal of some invasive trees, countered with an extensive landscape beautification plan that includes a 12-foot wide trail atop the dam with a gentle slope downward to the main loop trail via curves and bends. The trail will also be well lit, according to DWU.
When construction begins, the current trail over the dam and down toward Denton Drive will be diverted to a street level path from just before the playground area and Recreation Center, along Bachman Drive behind the playground area, over to Webb Chapel Extension, then Denton Drive before it rejoins the original path past the dam heading toward Shorecrest. The right northbound lane off of Webb Chapel Extension will be blocked off and the sidewalk along Denton Drive will be widened and then "fenced" to guard patrons from vehicular traffic.
For more information about the project, visit bachmanlakedam.com where you can ask questions of DWU about what's next. You can also access a quick project timeline.
A copy of the presentation which also includes more renditions of the upcoming skate park can be viewed/downloaded via this link.
Tree-t Yourself To Some Free Green
The 2023 Branch Out Dallas tree giveaway is here! The City of Dallas announces its fifth annual Branch Out Dallas program to provide residents with a FREE 5-gallon tree. Trees benefit the urban environment by reducing stormwater runoff to drainage systems, cooling temperatures, improving air quality and mitigating the heat island effect.
Residents can register at dallas.gov/branchoutdallas from Sept. 5 to Sept. 30, while supplies last.
Residents will be able to choose from six types of Texas trees and six pick-up locations throughout Dallas. Residents who register for a free tree may collect it on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to noon.
For more information including tree types, visit the Branch Out Dallas site.
T-Shirts Are Here!
We are working to get Bachman Lake T-Shirts to those of you who donated funds and are eligible to receive shirts. Friends of Bachman Lake recently created our very first t-shirt with the help of Dan Bradley and his local custom printing company, Bullzerk.
Do you want one of your own?
We have more shirts to offer if you wish to donate! For every $20 donation, you can order a t-shirt up to 4 total shirts. You'll have the chance to specify each size. Order here!
Once we place the order and it's printed, we'll let you know at the email you provide so we can tell you how to pick it up. We are targeting dates and locations for our cleanup and meet-up events so we'll let you know!
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!
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