PSA in Progress

You probably remember that we shot our PSA last month and you're wondering when you'll get to see the finished product, so here's an update:

Since we shot the PSA on film(higher quality stuff), it needs to be transferred to be edited. The transfer should be complete next week and then editing will probably take another two weeks or so. We're as anxious as you are to see how it turns out and we'll make sure to keep you updated.

Trashy News

No, this has nothing to do with Brittney & K-Fed, Madonna & A-Rod, or Jessica & Romo. It’s much more trashy than all that.

Do you know how many trash receptacles are on the Katy Trail? Bill, our trail monitor guy who you see in the golf cart zipping up and down the Trail, sure does. He recently completed a trash receptacle count. The answer is … 34.

Bill did the count at the request of a donor, who wanted to make sure Trail users had the best opportunities to help keep the Katy Trail clean. The answer appears to be “they do.” It also showed us just two locations where we can make improvements.

Always working for you – no matter how trashy the subject.

Katy Trail on DFW Scene

If you're a regular trail user, you know the Katy Trail is one of the best spots in town to see and be seen. But for those who are still looking for the hot scene in Dallas, check out NBC's recent story about the DFW Scene and Things to Do.

Katy 5K Named "Best Party"

The much-anticipated D-Magazine “Best of” issue is about to hit newsstands, and once again the Friends of the Katy Trail makes the list. This time for the Michelob Ultra Katy 5K. D-Mag chose it “Best Post-Race Party” and said that “people tend to run this race fast so they can be first in line for beer, vino from Barefoot Wines, and grub from some of the yummiest restaurants in town.”

Last May’s race was attended by almost 4,500 participants. Don’t miss the 2009 race on Thursday, May 21.

Katy 5K Goes Worldwide

The Friends of the Katy Trail had a number of extra Michelob Ultra No. 10 Katy 5K shirts in youth sizes, and we know it’s important to help others. We have a friend who works with orphanages in Myanmar/Burma and we shared the extras with them, as well as a number of cyclone survivors. The kids particularly love the shirts and use them for soccer uniforms Check out the pictures below and to see the Friends of the Katy Trail helping out half a world away.

Irrigation repaired on north end

If it looks like some of the plants on the north end of the Katy Trail are under stress from the Texas heat and lack of rain, you are correct. It didn’t help that the irrigation system installed by the Friends of the Katy Trail was damaged during construction of the lighting. But there is good news …

Last Thursday, the irrigation specialist from Moore Lawn & Garden, who does the maintenance of the north end of the Trail, checked the entire system and repaired everything they found wrong. The irrigation should be working again, except where perhaps some dirt got into the lines and will temporarily clog a sprinkler head.

The best news is that our landscape architect believes we caught the problems soon enough to save all the landscaping.

Making Dallas Safe and Walkable

The Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety has released a new publication: “A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities.” The Guide offers a user-friendly resource with ideas and references on issues that affect walking conditions, finds ways to address or prevent these problem, and promotes pedestrian safety. It provides several community success stories along with fact sheets, worksheets, and sample materials.

Here’s a link to the online version. It parallels what we’re trying to accomplish and is a great resource for you to find out more about making Dallas a safe and walkable city.

Location Map for 911 & Access Points

We've heard it before. It's a beautiful day and you're out on the Trail and then you realize . . . you're lost. Sure, it's a linear trail and you could just turn around and go back where you were coming from, but you want to know where you are right now.

Have no fear, here's the map of where the 911 location markers are so you'll never be lost on the Katy Trail again. Or you can click here to download it too.

Lighting Construction Still Going

After a slight delay waiting for meters to be installed and activated, the electrical contractor installing the lighting on the Katy Trail reports that the next two sections are ready for connections to be made to the light poles. Look for the contractor to be pulling wires by the end of the week.

New 911 signs make news

Councilmember Angela Hunt had a press conference on the Katy Trail two Fridays ago, and all the major news organizations were there. Here’s a sample of the media coverage:

Dallas' Katy Trail Gets GPS Security Upgrade
NBC5i.com - Fort Worth,TX,USA

Katy Trail To Benefit From GPS Technology
CBS 11 - Dallas,TX,USA

Signs of safety along Katy trail
WFAA - Dallas,TX,USA

Dallas police, fire, and city officials unveil new Katy Trail ...
Pegasus News - Dallas,TX,USA

Dallas officials hope GPS markers will make Katy Trail safer 9:41 ...
Dallas Morning News - Dallas,TX,USA

Tell us what you think of the new signs and lighting on the Katy Trail.

Dinosaurs Heard on the Trail

New sounds have been added to the interactive artwork at David's Way including jungle noises, birds and … dinosaurs (we think). We've also upgraded to a DSL line there so the Boston-based artist can easily access the artwork remotely to make any necessary changes or updates. Go check it out and let us know what you think.

Loopy Councilmember and Designers

Today we toured the potential routes for the Katy Trail-Arts District loop connection with Councilwoman Angela Hunt, designers from Portland-based Alta Planning+Design and other members of the steering committee to see which routes are the most favorable for a bicycle/pedestrian connection. Click here to see the different routes and let us know what you think.