West Village Dog Trot and Treat

Stop by the West Village Dog Trot & Treat benefiting The Katy Trail on Sunday, October 31st from 2-5 p.m., an event geared for our furry friends and the people they own! Pooches and their people will parade around West Village picking up treats at various boutiques along the way. When the bags are full, guests are invited to enjoy live music, sips from Cork Wines, and nibbles for everyone. Canines will also be entered into a costume contest, where the winner will take away a doggie bag full of goodies. Vendors will be on hand offering everything from pet portraits to samples of all natural baked food for dogs. Registration is now open at www.KatyTrailDallas.org. ENTRY FEE: $15 Per Pet, People Free (Registration will be $20 Per Pet on the day of the event) For more info visit www.westvil.com or www.KatyTrailDallas.org.

Accident on the Katy Trail

The Friends of the Katy Trail extends its condolences to the family of Lauren Huddleston, who died as the result of an accident on the Katy Trail.

Here are a few guidelines to follow to make the Katy Trail a safe and enjoyable place:

Keep to the right.
Announce “passing on left” when passing someone in front of you.
Always look both ways before moving across the Trail.
Maintain a safe speed and remain in control at all times.
Watch children carefully.
If using headphones, keep the volume low so you can hear those behind you.
Keep pets on a short leash.
Stop and look for traffic before crossing at Knox and Harvard streets

Accident on the Katy Trail

Accident on the Katy Trail

The Friends of the Katy Trail is saddened to hear about the tragic accident on the Katy Trail Thursday night (Sept. 30) involving a jogger and a bicyclist. It was an unfortunate reminder that those on the Trail must be alert to other users for everyone’s well being.

Here are a few guidelines to follow to make the Katy Trail a safe and enjoyable place:

Keep to the right.
Announce “passing on left” when passing someone in front of you.
Always look both ways before moving across the Trail.
Maintain a safe speed and remain in control at all times.
Watch children carefully.
If using headphones, turn the volume down so that you can hear those behind you. Keep pets on a short leash.
Stop and look for traffic before crossing at Knox and Harvard streets

Support Our Annual Campaign

YOU EXERCISE, BUT DO YOU EXERCISE YOUR SUPPORT?

If you’re reading this, chances are that you love the Katy Trail. But do you support it with your checkbook? The Katy Trail relies on private donations for 90 percent of the cost to maintain it each year. Just think if those donations didn’t come in. There would be no drinking fountains and no lights. Weeds would grow over the Trail and tree branches wouldn’t get trimmed.

Help keep the Katy Trail a place that you love to spend time. Exercise your support during the Annual Support Campaign Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. Donate now!

DO YOU ENJOY THE TREASURE THAT IS THE KATY TRAIL? THEN HELP FUNDRAISE!

Also, you can help right now online! Register to receive a personalized fundraising page! By signing up for your own personal giving page, your effort can help us reach a bigger audience and ensure the Katy Trail remains the gem that it is today.

Knox Street intersection changes aim to improve safety

Safety all along the Katy Trail is a concern of the Friends of the Katy Trail. That’s why our non-profit organization continues to work with the City of Dallas to improve safety where the Trail intersects streets.

Katy Trail users have probably noticed some changes at Knox Street. The City of Dallas has installed yield signs in the middle of that intersection to remind drivers to exercise caution there. Also, the adjacent traffic lanes have been re-striped to promote safe driving.

Although the motorists on Knox Street have the yield sign, Trail users should remember that they have a stop sign on the Trail. Everyone traveling through that intersection – whether they are on foot, bike, skates or in a car – should take extra caution when crossing. Don’t worry about who has the right of way. Show concern for your safety and the safety of others. Slow down, be aware and then proceed. It’s the common sense approach.

Monitoring safety at the Katy Trail-Knox Street intersection is an ongoing process. Other changes may be made in the future to that intersection and the Knox Street corridor to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety.

Katy Trail – Phase III Construction Begins

If you’ve driven down McCommas Boulevard lately, you’ve seen the construction going on. This is the newest link constructed by the City of Dallas that will eventually connect the Katy Trail with the White Rock Lake trails. A dedicated lane is being constructed for users to continue north by crossing North Central Expressway via the McCommas Boulevard overpass.

Eventually, a suspension bridge will be built over Mockingbird Lane, making for easier access to the Katy Trail and providing longer distances for cyclists’ routes.

Spring is near

That means that crews will be on the Katy Trail fertilizing to help promote healthy growth on the trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers. The Katy Trail uses organic fertilization methods, which employ ingredients that are a bit fragrant (to put it politely). So if you smell something a little odd on the Trail during the next week or so, just know that it's nature at work getting ready for spring blooms and leaves.

New entrances open on Katy Trail

Two new entrances to the Katy Trail are now open. The recently completed Beasley Entrance at Hall Street is a sweeping staircase that allows walkers and runners convenient access to the Trail, instead of the scrambling up a hill as before. The lushly landscaped entrance is a gift from the Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation.



The Tao of Warren is on the west side of the Trail at Armstrong Boulevard and was dedicated on Jan. 1. It is a dual staircase flanking a round seating wall and plaza. Sarah and Jim Hutcheson with their son Nathan made the naming gift in the memory of their son Warren, who was killed at 19 in a car accident.



During 2009, Friends of the Katy Trail initiated construction on five new entrances called for in the Friends of the Katy Trail Master Plan. These projects cost a total of $2.1 million in private funds that the Friends raised.

New entrances open on Katy Trail

Two new entrances to the Katy Trail are now open. The recently completed Beasley Entrance at Hall Street is a sweeping staircase that allows walkers and runners convenient access to the Trail, instead of the scrambling up a hill as before. The lushly landscaped entrance is a gift from the Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation.


The Tao of Warren is on the west side of the Trail at Armstrong Boulevard and was dedicated on Jan. 1. It is a dual staircase flanking a round seating wall and plaza. Sarah and Jim Hutcheson with their son Nathan made the naming gift in the memory of their son Warren, who was killed at 19 in a car accident.


During 2009, Friends of the Katy Trail initiated construction on five new entrances called for in the Friends of the Katy Trail Master Plan. These projects cost a total of $2.1 million in private funds that the Friends raised.

Friends of Katy Trail elects officers, new board members

Friends of the Katy Trail board of directors recently elected its 2010 officers and six new board members.

The officers:
Chairman – Philip Henderson
President – Matt Lucas
Vice President – Beth Huddleston
Treasurer – David Demarest
Secretary – Pat Snoots

The new board members are Jayson Bales, Charles Chen, Sherri Conger, Greg Rohan, Joni Rose and Tommy Tucker.

Also, the David Stocks Award was given to Keith Nix. The award is given annually to one board member in recognition of outstanding work for the Katy Trail.

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.