Friends of Bachman Lake - December 2024
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were big things. ” - Robert Braughlt
Gables Day 2024: Plantastic!
The Gables Residential has been a fantastic partner over the last three years and through the effort of their employees, 130-ish strong, they have helped transform the Bachman Greenbelt into the oasis the community deserves! This year they planted 250 native plants, installed signs, added benches and helped remove privet.
You can view some highlighted photos below.
Introducing Project Greenbelt
With so much focus on the Greenbelt restoration, we are excited to launch Project Greenbelt, our initiative to keep the momentum going with help from citizens, organizations, businesses and donors of all generosity levels.
This effort will take years to come to fruition but so much progress has already been made that people are taking notice! Curious residents are asking to know more. Eager explorers on foot and on bikes are exploring the newly cleared paths and letting us know how great the site is becoming.
More volunteers are signing up to help plant, clean and even water the new fields of native vegetation. We will be releasing a watering schedule for volunteers in January as we test the logistics this month so stay tuned!
Santa visits Bachman!
A bit early in the season? Nope! On December 1st, Santa Claus made a triumphant return after 15 years to Bachman Lake. Scores of happy children waited under glorious sunshine to meet Santa and have their picture taken. The smiles said it all and even park-goers who had not heard about the event in advance got to enjoy the moment. For them, it was a surprise visit from Santa! Imagine that. Isn't that the point of the season? Imagine. Thanks to all who helped make this happen!
Big Donors Needed
We know that Dallas doesn't lack well-heeled business people. We know that Dallas doesn't lack visionaries who can move things forward in manners that local governments cannot. So, how do we gain their attention for a major investment in Northwest Dallas?
It is clearly being done in other areas of Dallas and even in Plano, where Toyota recently gave $15M for a park near its headquarters. We've reached out to an obvious Bachman neighbor – Southwest Airlines – about 'adopting' Bachman Lake by asking managers, captains and employees to make the case to the C-Suite executives to help invest in a broader green network around the park. The message has never quite made it to the top, which is now churning with pressure from other forces to, well, make more money for its investors! Maybe it's not the best time to ask for some. But when is it?
We are truly grassroots and don't have the funds to hire a PR firm and start advertising. That's why we appreciate our community so deeply because thus far, you are the ones making things happen.
So, here's the challenge: How do we open the door to benevolent businesses and families who wouldn't mind their names associated with an incredible greening effort in Northwest Dallas? Maybe it's not as flashy a thing as a downtown bridge or a deck park, but if you're the only name in lights around here – or at least one of the few – why not make it shine bright enough to be seen from the planes flying to and from Love Field?
Let's talk to our friends back down on the ground now. If you have ideas for ways we can attract larger donors and companies to help us not only protect and nurture our green spaces around Bachman Lake, but to help us procure the resources necessary to keep this non-profit focused and effective, please let us know by writing to info@friendsofbachmanlake.org.
Maybe a letter to Santa wouldn't hurt either.
Give Me an H! - Mart
Progress continues on the long-awaited arrival of the newest H-Mart in Koreatown in Northwest Dallas. Don't know where that is? Start at Harry Hines and Royal Lane and you'll see the wonderful influence of the City's Korean community with restaurants, shops and yes, one of the largest grocery stores in our region coming in late 2025!
The significance of this addition has not gone unnoticed. From Council Members and local officials attending a dedication of the area with new street signs in English and Korean, to developers inching their way to the area, building housing where many doubters doubted it could happen. This vibrant community is worth a visit and the new H-Mart promises to be a hub for some great culinary finds. And it's not in the 'burbs this time.
See our blog post from October.
Events
NEIGHBORS IN THE KNOW: PARKS
On January 13th Friends of Bachman Lake and the Bachman-Northwest Community Association will host another live online community session we call Neighbors in the Know. We will receive an update from the Parks department so get your questions ready. Watch for a link to the session via our social media channels.
Meet and Greet Will Resume in January
With November and December holidays straddling the 4th Wednesday of each month we're going to take a brief respite from this event and resume on the 4th Wednesday in January, 2025.
*Note that times/dates are subject to change. We will issue notices if the event changes or is postponed.