The lights are back!

Thanks to the generosity of several people and three civic-minded businesses, the 12 Katy Trail lights that were damaged by thieves are operating again. And at no cost to Friends of the Katy Trail or the City of Dallas! Let's shine a light on the people who made this possible.

Balfour Beatty is the contractor currently building Snyder's Union on the Trail. Ty Walton, project manager, offered the help of his electrical subcontractor, Prism Electric, when he heard about the damaged light poles.

Kyle Eastep, an electrician with Prism, quickly got involved assessing the damage. He alerted Blake Combs, the owner of Prism and a frequent user of the Trail, who agreed that Prism would donate its time to get the lights back in working order.

The folks at Prism contacted Graybar Electric, which donated the supplies needed, including a lot of expensive copper wire.

Kyle and a crew of eight electricians then went to work and got the lights back operating again in record time. They also installed stronger tamper-resistant plates on the light poles to deter thieves in search of the copper electrical wire.

Thanks to all of them for their generosity of time, expertise, materials and spirit!

Some Trail light poles damaged

In an attempt to take copper wire, thieves have damaged nine of the light poles on the south end of the Katy Trail near Reverchon Park. The culprits pried open base plates on the poles to access the wire. The result is that these light poles are not operating. Be aware that some of the lights are not working on the south end of the Trail and avoid that area after dark.



Friends of the Katy Trail is working with the City of Dallas to get the lights repaired as soon as possible.

Trots and Treats Tomorrow!

The West Village Dog Trot & Treat benefitting The Katy Trail

Saturday, October 31st - 11a.m. to 1 p.m.

An event geared for our furry friends and the people they own. The West Village Dog Trot & Treat will benefit the Katy Trail.

This year, pooches and their people will parade around West Village picking up treats at various boutiques along the way! The fun's just starting when the Trot & Treat ends, we'll have a post-party featuring a canine costume contest, live music, sips, and nibbles for everyone.

Registration at:
http://www.katytraildallas.org/site/PageServer?pagename=fkt_dogtrot_registration

Troy Aikman to kick off membership drive

Dallas Cowboys legend and sportscaster Troy Aikman will make a special appearance on the Katy Trail from 6-7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 22) to kick off the first-ever Friends of the Katy Trail membership drive. Join the fun at David's Way, the entry plaza at Knox Street.


In addition to special guest Aikman, there will be refreshments and music by Jayson Bales and the Charmers, who will be selling their new CD with half the proceeds going to Friends of the KatyTrail. Check out a free song download at www.KatyTrailDallas.org.



All weekend Friends of the Katy Trail volunteers will be on the Trail to register news members. All those who join this weekend will receive a cool Katy Trail T-shirt courtesy of Luke's Locker.


Also, Friends of the Katy Trail is having a drawing for exclusive prizes with tickets $20 each or six for $100. They are available from the volunteers during the membership drive or online at www.KatyTrailDallas.org. Prizes include four tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game in a private suite with one parking pass and two American Airlines round-trip tickets to anywhere in the Continental U.S. or Mexico.


Although it is a city park, the Katy Trail is improved and maintained with private funds. Anyone can support the Katy Trail anytime of the day at www.KatyTrailDallas.org or texting Katy to 95495. Memberships start at $50.

Troy Aikman to Kick Off Membership Drive

Dallas Cowboys legend and TV sportscaster Troy Aikman will make a special appearance on the Katy Trail Oct. 22 to kick off the first-ever Friends of the Katy Trail membership drive. A devoted Katy Trail user, Aikman will be on the Trail from 6 to 7 p.m. that day signing autographs and convincing people to join the Friends of the Katy Trail. He will be at David's Way, the entry plaza at Knox Street.


In addition to special guest Aikman, there will be refreshments and music by Jayson Bales and the Charmers. Friends of the Katy Trail board members and volunteers will be there to register new members and explain how contributions maintain and improve the Trail. The membership drive will continue through Sunday, Oct. 25 with volunteers recruiting new members on the Trail at David's Way, the Thomsen Overlook at Reverchon Park and at Snyder's Union, the new plaza being built between Lemmon Avenue and Carlisle Place.


So join now or renew if you're already a member!


Also, Friends of the Katy Trail is having a raffle with exclusive prizes during the membership drive. Raffle tickets are $20 each or six for $100. They are available from the volunteers during the membership drive or online at www.KatyTrailDallas.org/raffle.


  Prizes include

    · Four tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game in a private suite with one parking pass

    · Two American Airlines round-trip tickets to anywhere in the Continental U.S. or Mexico

    · One-year family membership to the Dallas YMCA

    · Luke's Locker "runner's fanatic" package including a Garmin GPS personal training device and Asics shoes

    · Hockey stick signed by the Dallas Stars players

    · Tickets to a Texas Rangers game

    · Soils Alive organic fertilization

    · Highland Park Animal Hospital services


Friends of the Katy Trail membership contributions pay for the lights, water fountains, off-duty Dallas Police bike patrols and maintenance of the landscaping.

Anyone can support the Katy Trail anytime of the day at www.KatyTrailDallas.org. Memberships start at $50.

Volunteers needed

We need volunteers to help with the Oct. 22-25 membership drive. During the drive, volunteers will be on the Trail talking to folks about how their membership dollars will help improve and maintain the Katy Trail. If you're interested in helping, send an e-mail to Office@KatyTrailDallas.org or call 214-303-1180. The more the merrier!

Gardening with a little help from our friends

Maintaining the landscape along the Katy Trail is a big job. That's why we're very grateful for help from the Heart of Dallas chapter of the National Charity League, a non-profit group of mothers and their daughters serving communities together. Last month, 28 NCL mothers and daughters spent their Saturday on the Katy Trail weeding one-eighth mile of the Trail. That's a lot of dirt.


Their volunteer project started with a "identify the weed" session led by Jim Apken and Amanda Griffin, two members of the Landscape Advisory Committee, a blue-ribbon group of experts lending their expertise to maintaining the Trail's landscape. Helping to the keep the Katy Trail weed-free will be an ongoing project for the NCL volunteers.


"Heart of Dallas NCL is committed to helping the Katy Trail. This is an ongoing partnership," said NCL member Charisse Bradley.


Friends of the Katy Trail board chairman Philip Henderson welcomed the NCL group and told them how as "volunteer gardeners" they are providing a big service to the Katy Trail and the beauty of Dallas overall.


If you know of other groups that may be interested in helping with the gardening along the Katy Trail, let us know by sending an e-mail to Office@KatyTrailDallas.org.

Friends of the Katy Trail Membership Drive

Join, renew and volunteer Oct. 22-25

Friends of the Katy Trail is launching its first-ever membership drive Oct. 22-25. The objective is to tell Trail users how their support helps keep maintain and improve the Katy Trail, making it the resource they love.

What can you do? Join right now at www.KatyTrailDallas.org or sign up on the Trail during the membership drive. If you’re already a member, renew now.

Want to do more? We need volunteers to help educate Trail users about the benefits of joining Friends of the Katy Trial. Most users don’t realize that improvements and maintenance of the Katy Trail is paid for with private money.

Volunteers will work shifts over that weekend to explain how the lights, water fountains, off-duty police patrols and landscape maintenance are some of the things that just wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for Friends of the Katy Trail. Volunteers will be stationed at three spots on the Trail: David’s Way at Knox Street, Thomsen Overlook at Reverchon Park and Snyder’s Union, currently under construction between Lemmon Avenue and Carlisle Place.

If you want to volunteer, send an e-mail to Office@KatyTrailDallas.org or call 214-303-1180.

Dog Trot & Treat

More construction on Katy Trail

Construction has started on yet another new entrance to the Katy Trail. Work began this week on the sweeping staircase that will go from Hall Street to the Katy Trial above. This project is expected to be completed in December and will provide much more convenient access to the Katy Trail than the dirt path that was there.

While work is underway, the construction site is fenced off so please avoid it and get on the Katy Trail at other places.

Possible Rain Contingency

If you're planning to ride to city hall tomorrow with Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, then you will need to heck in to: http://dallasbikestocityhall.com/ by 6AM on Wednesday morning (October 7th). Bike Friendly Oak Cliff will announce if the ride will be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

DALLAS BIKES TO CITY HALL' ON OCT. 7

JOIN COUNCIL MEMBER ANGELA HUNT

Anyone who spends any time on the Katy Trail knows that there are plenty of Dallasites who love to ride bicycles. However, our fair city has the not-so-fair distinction of being one of the worse U.S. cities for bicycling (according to one publication). So join City Council Member Angela Hunt and other city officials for a ride to Dallas City Hall to promote greater bicycle awareness.



Wear your Friends of the Katy Trail T-shirt or hat and meet Council Member Hunt at Union Station at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7. City Council members, Park and Recreation Department officials, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff members and bike lovers will then ride along Young Street to City Hall.

At the completion of the ride, the city's new bicycle coordinator will be introduced and new initiatives that embrace “complete streets” policies will be unveiled. Complete streets are streets designed to provide access for all users, not just cars.

For more information, visit www.dallasbikestocityhall.com.

As Council Member Hunt's District 14 includes a lot of the Katy Trail, you may be interested in attending her Oct. 12 town hall meeting at Arlington Hall, 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd. On the agenda is Oncor's tree-trimming practices, which often result in trees cut into unsightly V-shapes around electric lines. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

Event Announcement: Haute on the Trail

The Friends of the Katy Trail invite you to Haute on the Trail, a special evening of fun and fashion honoring two great Dallas non-profits, The Friends of the Katy Trail and Texas Next Top Designer.

When:
October 7th, 2009, 6 - 9 pm
Where:
The Travis at Katy Trail
4611 Travis Street at Knox
Dallas, Texas 75205

You and a guest are invited to preview the exciting newly-renovated common areas adjacent to the Katy Trail and tour select residences, including the penthouse.

In addition, 2009 Texas Next Top Designer finalists and associates will be presenting their 2010 Collections throughout the property. (Local designer merchandise and art pieces may be purchased.)

Appetizers will be provided by Toulouse. Wine samplings from Hall Wines. Sake by Ty Ku.

Complementary Valet Parking.

Business, Cocktail, High Fashion or Jogging Attire.

For More information, call 214-219-1700

RSVP by Friday, October 2, 2009
FashionParty@thetravisatkatytrail.com

Parking Update

The city has fenced off some of the parking at Reverchon Park. The parking lot by the baseball field is still open for public use and Trail users.

The city has informed us that they've closed the parking to install a new waste water line. The construction may last into next year. After the construction is complete, the old parking lot space will be replaced with grass.

We're Going Worldwide

ABC News Travel did a cool story about Dallas - "Designer Purses and $10 Enchilada Plates," and they just happened to mention your favorite Trail. So while designer purses may not look quite right on the Trail and an enchilda plate will have you wanting to walk it off on the Trail, you can still check out the story and all the other recommendations here.

Oh, and a blog in Kolkata, West Bengal, India picked it up too, so we're well on our way to world trail domination.

Katy Trail Considered One of Dallas' Best Outdoor Activity

This past spring TravelSkoot, a travel planning Web site focused on the Katy Trail as one of the best outdoor places around Dallas. The video also mentions the Katy 5K Run and the off-duty Police officers that Katy Trail employs. So check out the video, the beauty of the Katy and see what adventures you can plan around Dallas through TravelSkoot.

A bicycle build for ... SEVEN?

Not much going on at the Katy Trail these days ... well, except for the $1.5 million construction project on the Trail overlooking Lee Park.

So we thought it was a good time to show the picture we have of the bicycle in Prague that seated ... wait for it ... SEVEN people. Yes, seven (7) people. Check it out:

Biking Craze Sparks Creativity

As concerns about the environment and health increase, many Americans are choosing to bike to their destinations instead of driving. Because of this increase in popularity many biking groups are forming around the Dallas area. Some groups are organized by local bike shops including Fleetwood's Kit Kat, which is just southeast of Southern Methodist University and very close to the Katy Trail. In an interview with the Dallas Morning News Fleetwood predicted that specialized bikes are the newest item. The editor for the new magazine Kickstand agrees. So for a nice Sunday bike ride, check out Fleetwood's and rent your dream bike for a few hours and glide gently down the Katy Trail towards Victory Promenade and the come back to Airline. Check the DMN story for information about biking around Dallas.

Park Cities People reports on construction

Park Cities People newspaper wrote a story about the Katy Trail construction in its latest issue. Click here to read all about it.

Forms Being Placed for Snyder's Union

The wood forms that will shape and hold the concrete for the base of the plaza on the Katy Trail overlooking Lee Park are being built now -- well, not while it's raining -- and should be completed by the end of the week. Concrete for the base should be poured sometime next week, barring any more thunderstorms.

Despite all the rain, the contractor on the $1.8 million project, Balfour Beatty Construction, says they have only lost a couple of days work.

The plaza, known as Snyder's Union in honor of the donors Bobbi & Dick Snyder, is still expected to be complete by Thanksgiving. Check out our homepage for a slide show of more construction photos.

Interesting adventures along the Trail

As summer comes to a close the kids’ summer camps start to end, but they still need something to do. Why not try geocaching? Even if you don't have kids but are looking for some adventure or a way to get to know Dallas and the Katy Trail better, try geocaching. So, what is geocaching?

Under going a revival in the spring of 2000 in Oregon (due to the Internet), geocaching is commonly referred to as a high tech game of hide and go seek. Participants use GPS or other tracking devices to find or hide small containers (caches) all around the world. Once participates have located or hidden the caches they can place the information and stories of their adventures online. Despite the international hunt only gaining in popularity nine years ago, there are over 800,000 cashes world wide. So the staff of the Friends of the Katy Trail thought they would see just what's hiding on the Katy and the surrounding neighborhoods. Check out the geocashing Website to discover all the adventures you can have.

Making the Temporary Trail Safer

In an effort to help you get past the $1.5 million construction project on the Katy Trail even easier and safer, the Friends of the Katy Trail asked Balfour Beatty, the contractor on the job, to widen the temporary trail a little near the TXU/Oncor tower. That work was completed on Monday, and a center strip was painted to also make it clear to everyone where they should travel around this zone.

The construction area is located between the bridges over Lemmon Avenue (eastbound) and Hall Street. It is scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving.

Speaking of thanksgiving, thank you to all the donors who helped make this project possible, as well as all the members of the Friends of the Katy Trail who make an annual contribution that helps pay for the lighting and drinking fountains. If you use the Katy Trail, but are not a member, please become one today by clicking here.

Rails to Trail Conservancy named one of the beneficiaries of Brita Climate Ride 2009

Last year, the first annual Brita Climate Ride took place, starting in New York City and ending in Washington, D.C. The five day, 300-mile ride takes over a hundred riders through the wonderful scenery of America to emphasize how bikes can become an alternate form of transportation. The five day event also has presentations from people who consider the environment something very important. This year's event is held September 26 through 30.

As well as helping the environment the Brita Climate Ride has some exciting news - this year a portion of the money raised will go toward Rails-to-Trail Conservancy which is one of the organizations that helps the Friends of the Katy Trail.

As well getting to meet amazing people and getting to see wonderful places through out our country, the Brita Climate Ride is sponsoring a wonderful group of people to come talk to the participants, including:

• Colin Beavan, "No Impact Man": Featured at the Sundance Film Festival in the documentary No Impact Man, Beavan maintains a very popular blog about reducing his impact on the Earth.
• Alison Gannett, world champion free skier, Patagonia Ambassador, founder of the Save our Snow Foundation, and star of Warren Miller ski films: In her free time, Alison converted the first solar-powered SUV plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in the world to get 100-plus miles per gallon. This amazing athlete and climate-change warrior also leads ski expeditions to Bhutan, Bolivia, India and Pakistan to document climate change.
• Josh Dorfman (a.k.a. the Lazy Environmentalist): Dorfman has a new show coming out on the Sundance Channel, and he will also return for his second year to show that he can ride 300 miles without training (!!)
  

If you are interested in joining people all over the nation for the Brita Climate Ride check out their Website and help spread the message that our climate is constantly changing.

Turf Suffers During Summer Heat

Just like your yard, the Katy Trail has to deal with keeping our plants looking nice during this summer heat. Although this week has been wonderful with the weather, our plants are still thirsty and tired. Unfortunately, with the heat some of our grass is turning a lovely shade of brown. "Why?" you may ask.

Well, the first thing we check is the nozzles of our sprinkler systems. Sprinklers are spaced out so the water from one reaches another, thus creating an overlap in water and support for the plants. If this goal is not being achieved with the sprinklers, this maybe part of the issue.

A second issue that maybe causing the browning of the turf is a small, black bug called the chinch bug. These bugs have a white or grey spot on their backs and are most commonly found eating the green edges of a brown patch. One of the best ways to control them is with Orange Oil.

A third issue turning turf brown maybe a fungus called Brown Patch. The best way to control this fungus is to water later in the morning so that the ground cover does not remain uncomfortably soaked through out the day. If the fungus as already started to grow, organic fungicide is the best way to help scale it back.

Speaking of bugs, when you are gardening or enjoying nature this month and into the last days of summer, look out for Bag worms in Junipers and Bald Cypress Trees. Also, keep an eye out for leaf spots on roses, lace bugs on azaleas and Boston ivy, and scale on hollies, magnolias and crape myrtles.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans Gain Momentum

Washington Post columnist Neal Peirce, a prominent journalist and urban thinker, recently focused his column on the need for improved bicycle and pedestrian connections in our cities. The column, titled "Biking and Walking: Our Secret Weapon?" highlighted the need for our country to stop building roads and bridges and instead spend more effort, and money, on building complete streets. Reasons to do so, Peirce said, include:

1. Addressing the country's obesity epidemic
2. Cutting down the amount of gas we use
3. Reducing the amount of carbon we release into the air
4. Improving the safety of our streets
5. Making better connections to public transportation

Of course, the Friends of the Katy Trail has been trying to address these issues as well by completing the Trail, making more public access points so more people can use the Trail, and making connections so the Trail becomes a viable option for transportation as well as recreation.

Click here to check out Peirce's full column.

Bench for Don Lucas

Don Lucas, founder of Luke's Locker and a great supporter of the Katy Trail, recently had one of the benches on the trail reserved in his name by hundreds and hundreds of friends. Don was presented the slat to his bench that bears his name during a little gathering on Saturday that was complete with complimentary champagne for those who attended. Thanks to Isaac Gian, shown in the picture giving the bench slat to Don, for leading the fundraising effort.

The bench is located on the north side of Lemmon Avenue if you want to check it out.

Congratulations Don on a well-deserved thank you from your appreciative friends.

Trellis Construction Begins at Snyder's Union

The future trellis at Snyder's Union came closer to reality last week when the drilling rig arrived at the construction site overlooking Lee Park, just south of Lemmon Avenue. Drilling will take place all week and should be done by the end of next week. The entire $1.5 million project, generously funded by Bobbi & Dick Snyder and numerous other Friends of the Katy Trail, will feature benches, a three-tiered drinking fountain, easy access from Carlisle Place and numerous other amenities. Construction will be complete by Thanksgiving. Always check the Friends of the Katy Trail's construction update page and blog for the most current information and images of our construction projects.

More pub about the Katy Trail

The Dallas Morning News published a story on the Katy Trail and our $1.5 million project at Lee Park for the plaza called Sydner's Union, just south of Lemmon Avenue. The article explained to readers how the newest addition will help users of the Trail. To read the whole the article check it out here.

Temporary trail ready for use

Those of you who have been on the Katy Trail around Lee Park have noticed the beginning of the newest addition to the Trail. Crews have started clearing the shrubbery to begin construction for Snyder's Union, a plaza overlooking the Park below. A temporary trail is in place to take you around the construction and ready for you to use. Snyder's Union is scheduled to finish in November.

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 e-mail us at office@katytraildallas.org

Katy Trail bridge over Mockingbird

One of the most common questions we receive at the Friends of the Katy Trail is when the Trail will be extended out to White Rock Lake. We recently picked up the latest rendering of the bridge over Mockingbird that is part of this Katy Trail extension.

Before it gets to Mockingbird, the trail will run through Glencoe Park then between Hotel Palomar and Public Storage before hitting this bridge shows on the left. After crossing Mockingbird, trail users will circle around behind the Mockingbird DART station before following the DART line all the way to the White Rock DART station.

Check out the Friends of the Katy Trail's "Trail Tips" section of our website for more details and answers to all your other Katy Trail related questions.

Trail Removed near Lee Park

As you can see from the photo to the left, the concrete of the trail was removed late last week in the area around Lee Park where the Friends of the Katy Trail is adding a new plaza named Snyder's Union. The general contractor on the $1.5 million project, Balfour Beatty Construction, has installed a temporary trail around the construction zone. The project is made possible by the $1 million gift from Bobbi & Dick Snyder, as well as numerous donations from other supporters.

Thank you, in advance, for your patience as we continue to make the Katy Trail better for you. Construction should be complete by Thanksgiving. For more information on Katy Trail improvements, check out our Construction Page or our Homepage for details.

Dedo's Place - Construction Slows

We're not sitting around watching the grass grow. In fact, we're doing quite the opposite -- we're waiting for the grass to die.

Construction of the $200,000 plaza at the north end of the Katy Trail known as Dedo's Place may look like it has stopped; but in reality we've treated the ground with weed killer to get rid of the pesky nut grass that keeps popping up. Once the grass, and any other weeds, are gone, the planting will continue.

Look for construction of the plaza, generously funded by Dedo & Barron Kidd, to be complete by the end of the summer.