Friends of Bachman Lake - September 2026
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
Celebrate North Texas Giving Day With Us!
North Texas Giving Day is a great opportunity for you to focus on a single day of giving to non-profits that represent the causes most important to you.
We're in the final stretch of donations leading up to September 17 but we have a special invitation for you on the day before!
Our friends at On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen have agreed to host a celebration for Friends of Bachman Lake on Wednesday, September 16. They've also pledged to donate 10% of the day's earnings to Friends of Bachman Lake.
Join us on Wednesday September 16 at 5:00pm at On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen and raise a glass with us! We'd love it if you could pledge a donation too but you can contribute any time and come meet us for the celebration!
Nature as a Necessary Way of Life
As we seek donations for Bachman Lake Park and the Greenbelt for maintenance, restoration and expanding green spaces for the community, we often don't get the reasons why donors actually give. We appreciate the general sense of caring for the community but don't always get the story behind the generosity.
We recently received a recurring donation to our Project Greenbelt campaign and this quote really filled our hearts:
"I recently discovered this trail through the woods in my own backyard. I am so thrilled because I am a birder and my soul needs to be in nature. I have been unable to go to places like this for a few years because I cannot be away from home but for a short period of time due to being a caregiver. I walk the trail with binoculars and a camera every morning."
Thank you!
New Sidewalks Along Northwest Highway
It is so rewarding when you see action being taken on a request. Granted, its been about 7 years since we hosted a meeting at Bachman Lake Library with City, State and County representatives to complain about the lack of safety along NW Highway. In that meeting we asked for more crosswalks (which have been funded but are not yet built) and for sidewalks along NW Highway. Guess what? The sidewalk on the north side of the highway is getting built near the empty field that is part of the runway protection zone! We do not know if this is being funded by Aviation (who owns that property next to the Sams Club), TXDoT (NW Hwy is a state highway after all) or the City of Dallas.
To whoever made this happen - a big THANKS from the community!
New Trail Head is Coming
Looks like it's finally starting! Ground is moving to accommodate the QT facility at the corner of Marsh Lane/Lemmon Avenue and Northwest Highway but that's not what we're excited about. As part of the deal for acquiring the land, QT promised to construct and fund new landscaping and a trailhead for easier access to the Bachman Lake Trail from Northwest Highway.
The improvements will create a visually appealing connection to the Bachman Lake Trail in a section that is currently difficult to navigate. Better lighting and more activity at that corner should also mitigate some of the issues with unhoused individuals establishing camps in that location.
We might have fought for something different in that corner had the deal not been struck by the time we were formed, but progress sometimes doesn't take a straight path and perfect can't get in the way of the good. We have a much larger vision for the area overall, so we'll take any improvements we can get in the meantime.
More Visibility for the Greenbelt Cause
In August, Friends of Bachman Lake conducted a video interview with Texan by Nature as part of the Conservation Wranglers program. We went on location to the Bachman Greenbelt and walked the trails to converse about the mission we have to restore the area.
Accompanied by UNT interns, their Professor Jaime Baxter-Slye and two master naturalists from the Dallas chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, we shared educational tidbits about things we've learned along our restoration journey.
Our partnership with Texan by Nature is part of a mutually beneficial effort by both organizations to optimize their expertise on organizational exposure, environmental impact, and messaging. The aim is to measure and quantify the positive results of the conservation and restoration work we do and to increase the exposure of the organization beyond the local area.
We will happily share the completed video after its release in late October.
A North Texas Giving Day Greenbelt Moment: A conversation about discovering the Greenbelt
Events
Special Meet and Greet Wednesday September 16
September 16 5:00PM
Let's meet at On Rotation Brewery and Kitchen to meet over your favorite beverage and get to know each other!
In lieu of our 4th Wednesday Meet and Greet for this month, we're inviting you to join us for an "Early Bird" North Texas Giving Day celebration at On Rotation on Wednesday September 16. Ten percent of the proceeds earned that day will be donated by On Rotation to Friends of Bachman Lake! But you can make your own direct contributions while raising a glass with us!
*Note that times/dates are subject to change. We will issue notices if the event changes or is postponed.
Cache In, Trash Out at Bachman Lake Park
September 19, 9:00AM - 10:00AM
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department and the Texas Geocoaching Association will host a Cache In Trash Out (CITO) event. Come and join the outdoor treasure hunt and help to make a positive impact in our parks by picking up litter. The events are part of CITO Across Texas, bringing geocachers around Texas together on September 19 for National Cleanup Day to make their communities cleaner.
