Lee Park Project Gets Underway

Construction of Snyder’s Union -- a $1.5 million plaza on the Katy Trail overlooking Lee Park and its beautiful fountain -- began early this week. As you move through this section of Katy Trail between Lemmon and Hall over the next five months, you will notice several changes:

1. The main trail will be removed and a temporary trail will be built to move you around the construction zone
2. Fences will be installed to keep you from running, biking or skating into the construction zone
3. Scrub brush will be removed from the hillside between the Turtle Creek pond in Lee Park and the Katy Trail
4. Construction crews will establish a staging area at the bottom of the hill between the pond and the Trail
5. Signs will be posted with a rendering of the finished product as well as donors who helped make it possible

Thanks to Bobbi & Dick Snyder, who donated more than $1 million for this project, and all the many supporters who stepped up to help meet their challenge grant.

If you have questions about the construction project, please call the Friends of the Katy Trail at 214-303-1180 or visit our Construction Updates page.

Tips for Your Dogs in Hot Weather

After two weeks of near 100 degree plus temperatures, it seems as if we’re already into the warmest part of our summer. Because it feels like Dallas is closer to the sun than any other U.S. city, it's important to consider the stress and strain that warm weather can put on our furry friends who love and use the Katy Trail as much as we do. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind:

• The right time of day for a walk, run or playtime for you pet is in the cool of the early morning or late evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.


• Don't let your dog stand on the running trail, which is hotter than the concrete trail. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.


• Heat exhaustion is often caused by over-exercising or running with a dog during hot weather. Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion can result in brain damage, heart failure or even death in a short period of time. Short muzzled and thick-coated breeds and mixes are particularly vulnerable. Always bring cool water along. To cool off an overheated dog, offer him or her plenty of water, then wet the dog's body and paws with cool water and then fan.

When it’s warm, we are able to sweat and cool ourselves; but our furry friends can only sweat around their paws. In order to cool themselves down, dogs pant. Although this is an effective way for animals to cool themselves, its success rate is limited in confined areas or humid weather. Please pay close attention to your pets at this time of year.

New Trail in Town

If you happen to be in East Dallas or you're looking to stretch your legs on another great Trail in town, check out the newly opened Santa Fe Trail. Click here to read all about it.

Dog Bag Stations Refilled

Our trusty intern and one of our fabulous volunteers refilled all the dog bag waste stations with bags. Don't forget to pick up after your pooch!

Construction Delay from McCommas to Mockingbird

Many of our trail goers have been wondering when the construction from McCommas to Mockingbird is going to be begin. Well, the Friends of the Katy Trail recently received some news as to what is holding up the newest connection. The City of Dallas's plans under went some changes and must now be reapproved by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT). The plans are under review at the local TXDoT district office so everything should be finalized by September 2009. The beginning stages of the construction should start by the end of this year.

Shout Out to Katy

Vanessa over at Examiner.com recently discovered what you probably know - the Katy Trail is a great place to get some exercise and fresh air. Click here to check it out. Thanks!

A Little Katy History Lesson

If you'd like to read a brief history of the MKT (aka Katy) Railroad and Katy Trails throughout the Midwest, check out this blog post from Abandoned Oklahoma.

And if you like that kind of stuff, you'll want to read the incredibly dull but historically rich book The KATY Railroad and the Last Frontier by V.V. Masterson.

Selective Clearing to Begin

Selective clearing has begun in the section of Katy Trail property just off the running path between the bridges over Harry Hines and McKinnon, about half a mile from the Trail’s south end. The intent is to see what’s behind all the scrub brush and overgrown weeds. If there is ample space, the hope is to build a wood deck in this area that could be serviced by a restaurant.

Imagine using the Katy Trail in the morning and stopping in this area for your daily cup of coffee or morning tea. Or imagine grabbing a bottled water and a sandwich here on a lazy afternoon. Who knows, you might be able to return at night for a beer or a glass of wine. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Sandblasting Done at Dedo’s Place

Construction at Dedo’s Place, the plaza near the north end of the Katy Trail, is in high gear. On June 16, sandblasting took place to give the colored concrete a rougher texture, perfect for skates and bikes to be able to hug the surface. All of the stonework was completed last week. Next up – landscaping. Expect to see that work begin by July 4 and conclude by the end of the month.

The entire project, generously funded by Dedo & Barron Kidd along with gifts from several other major donors, should be done by the end of the summer. Check out the slide show of construction on our Construction Page.

Storms Take Toll on Trail

Like the rest of North Texas, the storms that whipped through here Wednesday and Thursday took a toll on the Katy Trail. Check out this photo of one of the many trees that tumbled into the Trail's path. Parks was out early Friday working on removing as many of the downed limbs and possible, but it will take them weeks to get to all the affected areas.

There were also a few locations along the Katy Trail where the soil or decomposed granite were washed onto the Trail. The Friends of the Katy Trail has asked our landscape maintenance firms -- paid for by membership contributions -- to sweep the north and south ends that they maintain. Expect to see the grounds crews from both Moore Lawn & Garden and Valley Crest out there on Tuesday to help get the Trail clear of any and all debris.

Katy Trail Welcomes Summer with New Plants

Summer is almost here so all of our summer colors are planted and we cannot wait for you to see them. But don't feel to bad for the other plants, all of our beds and turf are about to receive their second batch of fertilizer. Speaking of taking care of our plants, unfortunately with summer comes more bugs. So if you are on the trail and you’re taking five or even ten and you happen to see some unwelcome bugs on our plants, let us know. Specific bugs of interest or signs that our plants need help include: bag worms on junipers and Bald Cypress trees; leaf spot on roses, lace bugs on azaleas and Boston ivy and scale on hollies, magnolias and crape myrtles.

Bike Transportation Plan for Dallas?

Check out what our Executive Director thinks Dallas should do regarding bicycle transportation in Dallas by reading his column that ran in The Dallas Morning News on Sunday. And if you want to see what Fort Worth is doing, click here.

New Stone Benches at North End

As we moved around the limestones that make up the seatwall at Dedo's Place, the plaza under construction near the north end of the Katy Trail, we ended up with two extra blocks. They became the new seating area at the far north end of the Trail near Airline Road -- a perfect place for you to take five before you head back south down the Trail, or stop to lace 'em up as you get ready to start your first trip. Check 'em out.

Dedo's Place is still on schedule to be finished this summer. The $200,000 project was generously funded by Dedo & Barron Kidd as well as the Ben E. Keith Foundation, Deedie & Rusty Rose, and numerous donations from the employees of Century 21 Judge Fite in honor of Richard Brown. Click here to go to our construction page to get updates and see the slide show of the project in progress. And check that page often for new info.

Dallas Giving Day a Success - Thanks

A big thank you to everyone who gave $25 to $2,500 to the Friends of the Katy Trail last Thursday as part of Dallas Giving Day. The foundations that made it possible reported the following information from that day:

• 8,400 donations made
• 353 organizations received gifts
• 98 percent of participating organizations received something
• More than $4 million given in total to North Texas nonprofits

The foundations estimate it will take 640 man-hours of gift processing to finish all the calculations. Expect to see what the Friends of the Katy Trail raised by the middle of June.

Thanks again to everyone who made a donation to the Katy Trail. We can't keep the Trail clean, safe and beautiful with your support.

Limestone blocks installed

Last week the limestone blocks were installed that make up the seatwall at Dedo’s Place, the plaza under construction at the north end of the Katy Trail. New colored concrete was also poured, which appears to be darker than the original stained concrete. However, it will lighten in color as it cures and will match the rest of the concrete. Expect to see all the concrete sand blasted later this week or early next. The contractor will also be moving the stones around slightly before he affixes them permanently. That should happen before Memorial Day.

The entire $200,000 project will be done by the end of the summer. Check out the slide show on our construction page for more scenes of this project in progress

Word O' The Day

While we don't actually have a word of the day feature, we happened to read this one and thought it was a good one to share:

Freiker: a frequent biker. Used in a sentence: There are many freikers on the Katy Trail.

Try inserting that word into a conversation the next time you're at a swanky party.

Info You Need to Know about the Michelob Ultra No. 11 Katy 5K:

Online race registration is available through midnight on Tuesday, May 12.

Packet pickup is at Luke's Locker (3607 Oak Lawn) through 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13

Race Day Registration will be available starting at 4:30 p.m. at Reverchon Park (3505 Maple)

Parking is available at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at Maple and Oak Lawn

Race Day Start Times are:

• 6:10 p.m. - Katy Trail Kids Point-5K Dash
• 6:25 p.m. - 5K Skate
• 6:30 p.m. - Run/Walk Begins
• 6:45 p.m. - Katy's Picnic Opens

For more information email Office@KatyTrailDallas.org or call 214-303-1180.

One Arts Plaza Loves Katy

Our good friends at One Arts Plaza have made an extensive post on their blog about the upcoming Katy 5k. Thanks One Arts!

If you don't know already, One Arts Plaza is the office/residential high-rise on the east side of the new Arts District in Downtown Dallas. There's been talk that Routh Street, which runs right in front of One Arts, might be redesigned to make it more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Check out the One Arts Plaza website for more info about this super cool location.

Free Gift Bags for Biking the Trail

DailyCandy and Fleetwood’s Kit Kat are hosting a bike ride down the Katy Trail to the W Hotel for a private patio lunch benefitting Friends of Katy Trail. It gets even better because you'll get a free gift bag and VitaminWater10 (while supplies last).

Check it out on Sat., 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Meet at 5214 E. Mockingbird Ln. Tickets $25 (includes bike and lunch). R.S.V.P. to 214-282-9951 or thefleetster@gmail.com.

"Runners Wanted" Truck Debuts

Check out the new roving advertising truck that helps promotes the Katy 5K for the Friends of the Katy Trail. It is generously furnished by Rod Collins of Bulldog Mobile Billboards. Thanks Rod! You may see it parked at the lot near the Knox Street entrance, where this picture was taken, or perhaps notice it tooling around the Uptown-Turtle Creek-Oak Lawn-Downtown areas of our fair burg. Hope you like it. We think it rocks. And don't forget to sign up for the Katy 5K, taking place Thursday, May 14 at 6:15 p.m. at Reverchon Park. Click here to register today.

Concrete Fails - Gets Replaced

Unfortunately for all of us, the world is an imperfect place. That became evident last week when cracks formed in the freshly poured concrete that was installed just the week before at Dedo’s Place, the plaza under construction near the north end of the Katy Trail. So the contractor began removing sections of the concrete that cracked and will replace it later this week.

Despite this setback, and the amount of rain that limits construction, the contractor still believes the $200,000 project will be completed by the end of the summer. Thank you for your patience during this time period that the main trail is closed and all Trail traffic is forced to share the running trail.

You Deserve VIP Treatment

You wear sunglasses at night to protect your eyes from the flashbulbs of the paparazzi. . . You live on the side of the velvet rope others only dream of going to . . . You always score the best table at the hottest restaurants . . . and you want everyone to know you're a VIP at the Michelob Ultra No. 11 Katy 5K, but how can you do that?

Brand new this year is VIP Registration for $100. Sound steep for a 5K? It's not. It's the best value in town because it includes access to VIP area before and after the 5K with your own catered food and drink, a 2009 Friends of the Katy Trail membership, 5K entry, and a cool, limited edition Katy 5K running hat. As a bonus, it's limited to 150 participants. So sign up today!

D Magazine and Aeon Studio Love Us

Want a free circuit-training session? Want it at a super cool gym that looks out on the Katy Trail? Good news, you can get that at Aeon Studio. Click here to check out the details from D Magazine.

Did we mention Aeon is giving $50 to the Friends of the Katy Trail for every member who joins this month? Go check it out and our friend Ryan will make sure to pump you up, er, motivate you.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's . . .

The Bulldog Mobile Billboard for the Michelob Ultra No. 11 Katy 5K!

Feel free to wave at the truck and tell Rod thanks for promoting the Katy 5K with his cool mobile billboard truck.

Drinking Fountain Arrives at Dedo's

The drinking fountain that will be installed at the plaza near the north end of the Trail arrived on the scene last Friday. As you can see by the photo, the fountain is our standard three-tiered one with drinking bowls for adults, children and people in wheelchairs, and pets. The concrete to anchor the drinking fountain will be poured later this week, weather permitting.

Construction of the $200,000 Dedo's Place plaza is expected to be complete by the end of the summer. Go to the Friends of the Katy Trail's construction page for more photos of the project.

Fort Worth Going Bike Friendly

Fort Worth has rolled out a plan to become a Bicycle Friendly City by 2015. The plan includes making complete streets that are accessible to ALL forms of transportation users -- vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, mass transit, disabled, elderly -- as well as requiring new development to meet city codes for bicycle accessibility and parking. They even plan to (gasp!) remove some parking and replace it with bike lanes and bike parking.

Check out our neighbor to the west's effort to solve their transportation and infrastructure problems and move their city into the 21st century.

Bike Oak Cliff on Saturday

Our friends at BFOC (that's Bike Friendly Oak Cliff) are having ribbon cutting for the Coombs Creek Trail on Saturday, April 18. Here are the details from their blog:

"The first leg of the paved Coombs Creek Trail has been completed and a ribbon cutting is set for tomorrow morning. We’ll try to arrive around 9ish in the morning, and will probably be riding in a small parade at 9:30 a.m. The trail is located at Kessler Parkway and Junior Drive (on the northwest side of Methodist Hospital). The best way to get there is to take Sylvan Northbound toward I-30. Kessler Parkway is the street before the highway. Go right (east) to Junior. There should be a good crowd out that can point everyone the rest of the way."

Here's a link to their website. KT says "check it out."

Question of the Month

Last month we asked you what you would spend federal stimulus funds on. The power-brokers down at City Hall must have been listening because the Council approved the submission of a $21 million grant request to finish the Katy Trail-Trinity Strand Trail-Coombs Creek Trail corridor. Now let’s keep our fingers crossed that the Feds like our trail plan, too. The grant will be submitted by the City in late summer.

However, paying the $1 million ransom to Dr. Evil isn’t part of that grant request, so the whole thing may be moot if he’s successful in his quest for world domination. But you were concerned enough to make Dr. Evil the third-most popular answer, and we appreciate that.

Here’s this month’s question:
What are you planning to do for Earth Day and/or Arbor Day this year?

Keep Your Helmet On

We just received a tip from the Mayor of McKinney Avenue (who knew there was one?) about DPD officers issuing tickets to bicycle riders who are not wearing a helmet. As KT said on a recent answer in the Ask KT section of our website, it is a City of Dallas code that cyclists wear helmets. So be forewarned that DPD can give out a ticket, which comes with a $147 fine.

So unless you're willing to challenge the law, or your head is harder than concrete, we suggest you wear a helmet at all times when on your bike. This goes for inline skates as well.

Report Quality of Life Offenses to DPD

DPD has asked us to help them identify locations where you consistantly see any Quality of Life Offenses. Here's what Lt. Lewis said in an email to us earlier today ...

"With the weather becoming more pleasant and more daylight to enjoy it, there may be a noticeable increase of quality of life offenses such as panhandling, sleeping in public, public intoxication, homeless encampments and urinating in public. I am seeking your assistance in identifying locations that tend to have a chronic problem with such offenses. Please at your earliest convenience e-mail me with any locations you are aware of that need police attention in the Uptown area."

If you know of any specific locations like this, particularly on or around the Katy Trail, please email Lt. Lewis at ricky.lewis@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us.