Friends of Bachman Lake Newsletter - August 2022
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Getting our own wings!
Great news. Friends of Bachman Lake has become its own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, meaning it can accept tax-deductible donations in its own name and have greater control over advocacy efforts for a better park and a better community!
Over the last 3 years we have been under the guidance of the Dallas Parks Foundation which has allowed us to use their 501(c)3 status to accept tax deductible donations. Unfortunately, the Foundation is dissolving at the end of 2022 and will no longer accept direct donations after this month. However, our team has worked diligently over the last several months to get ready for this eventuality and apply for nonprofit status and establish the organization's bylaws. It was approved in early July and we are working on great updates to the website that will make donations more seamless and much easier! Watch for a revamped website in the coming weeks!
We need an engineer!
Do you or someone you know have structural engineering savvy? We need the expertise to review some wooden foot bridge designs for the Bachman Lake Wilderness Trail Project to ensure they can last at least 20 years. Proving this will help secure matching funds from the City of Dallas for structures that would be built along the Bachman Lake Greenbelt.
If you can help, please contact info@friendsofbachmanlake.org
A steel of a deal
In case you haven't taken a closer look, the Bachman Lake Park pavilion at the entrance just off of Northwest Highway west of Webb Chapel has a new roof. The material might look like shingles but it's actually a stone-coated steel material that is extremely hail resistant, requires almost no maintenance and can last 50 years! A similar roof graces the smaller pavilion by the all-abilities playground near the Recreation Center. That's the type of investment that pays dividends in the long run. Way to go, Dallas Park and Recreation!
Love Field flies past new runway and right into expansion talks
Good news at Love Field: both runways are now fully operation after construction was completed on the strip that parallels Denton Avenue in late June. We expect that there will be relief on the Lemmon Avenue side but don't hold your breath for too long.
Whether feared or expected, changes to the operations at Love Field have to be closely watched. From a revamping of the preferred runway voluntary program during quiet hours to adding gates (and flights) to even having Southwest Airlines consider DFW as an expansion option, the latest Good Neighbor Program presentation might offer some insight. View it here.
Wild about Harry [Hines]?
An unsightly stretch of Harry Hines Boulevard is being reimagined. On Tuesday, August 9th, you'll have a chance to take a peak at some concepts, review ideas and ask questions at the Grauwyler Recreation Center. The event is being held between 3pm and 6pm. This is but one component that the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and the City of Dallas have been working together on.
DART has a surplus?
Yes it does. The multi-city organization has collected excess sales tax revenue totaling $270 million dollars and the board of directors is looking to distribute the excess to cities for transportation-related projects.
Hmmm, we seem to know of a certain Bachman Area Plan from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) that the City of Dallas can leverage to procure a share of those funds. This could help accelerate the completion of the street projects along Denton Drive among other proposals by NCTCOG. Time to advocate!
EVENTS
Our monthly plogging event is every 2nd Saturday of the month! Picking up litter while jogging (or walking or cycling) is an easy way to stay healthy and keep the park looking great! Grab a bag, a friend and help make our recreational jewel shine! Check our events list for any changes.
The community has spoken and asked for the Meet and Greet be moved to 5PM. Hey, we're not ones to get in the way of a cold beer! See you for our ‘meeting of the minds’ at Bluffview Growler on the 4th Wednesday of the month. No RSVP needed.
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