Home Page for Friends of the Parks

March 2019
Upcoming Events ~~Mon. Mar. 4th FOP Board meeting 6:30PM~~ Sat. Mar. 9th FOP workday 8AM, Wayne King passed away on Feb. 26th. His Memorial Service will be at Westlake Presbyterian Church on Mar. 11 at 10AM. Wayne and his wife Kathie were caretakers of the Butterfly Garden in City Park. The 25th Anniversary of City Park will be celebrated with events on 4/7, 4/14 and 4/28. The 21st Wilderness Run/Walk will be Sat. 4/27, details to be announced. We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks For those who shop on Amazon, FOP is now a listed charitable organization and can receive 0.5% of your Amazon purchase. Navigate to smile.amazon.com, login, select "Change Your Charity" and search for "Friends of the Park" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Family membership dues for 2019, pay by mail, click here or pay in person at our workday, contact our Treasurer Bernie. Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information. Visit http://www.lakewayfop.org/Workdays/2019_01/Jan2019.html for Jan. workday photos. Visit http://www.lakewayfop.org/History/AM_2019/AM_2019.html for Jan. Annual Membership meeting photos. Visit http://www.lakewayfop.org/Workdays/2019_02/Feb2019.html for Feb. workday photos.	FOP member Wayne King was a caretaker of the Butterfly Garden.
Planned March Workday Projects City Park : o Mulch spreading on slope north of Ranger Field o Extend repair of rock wall by picnic tables at lower level o Erosion control on primitive trail going by Ladin Lane gate o Repair of trail above Butterfly Garden and stain wood on concrete bridge o Repair Barnes Garden trail and trim shrubs HGB : o Lohman's Crossing entrance garden planting o Invasive tree removal along Hurst Creek o Bird blind water feature repair and sign hanging Pavilion : o Vegetable soup and desserts	First Purple Martin scouts arrive at City Park on 2/25/19. Photo by Carl Christensen.
March Workday Reports Thirty-five volunteers signed in at the beginning of the workday and most of them worked at the entrance to Hamilton Greenbelt. Kathleen was the leader of this group and they planted and landscaped and got mentioned in the e-newsletter "The Lake Way". Elmer and Dave and crew cut down invasive trees along Hurst Creek in the Smith and Hamilton Greenbelts before joining with Kathleen's group at the entrance of HGB. Carl and Bernie lead a small group in replacing the water feature at the bird blind and installing several large posters for bird identification. Finally Jim and two volunteers spread mulch at two locations in City Park and installed three erosion control diversions on a primitive trail. Judy and her crew had hot vegetable soup and plenty of sides and desserts at the end of our workday.

February 2019
Upcoming Events Feb workday RESCHEDULED to be Sat. Feb 16th 8AM due to weather. March Board meeting will be Mon. 3/4 6:30PM at the LAC. March workday will be Sat. 3/9 starting at 8AM at the Pavilion in City Park. The 25th Anniversary of City Park will be celebrated with events on 4/7, 4/14 and 4/28. The 21st Wilderness Run/Walk will be Sat. 4/27, details to be announced. We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks For those who shop on Amazon, FOP is now a listed charitable organization and can receive 0.5% of your Amazon purchase. Navigate to smile.amazon.com, login, select "Change Your Charity" and search for "Friends of the Park" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Family membership dues for 2019, pay by mail, click here or pay in person at our workday, contact our Treasurer Bernie. Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.	Jerry Cooper outlines the events happening at City Park in April for the 25th Anniversary of its dedication. Photo by Fred Hazen.
Forecast is looking good for our Sat. workday Feb. 16th. Please bring gloves, rakes and drinking water, maybe even some sun-screen. Meet at the upper parking lot of City Park near the Pavilion at 8AM to sign up for one of the following projects. We had thirty-four volunteers sign in by lunch time. The weather was cooler than expected and was mostly cloudy so no need for sun screen. Open areas like the lake beach were exposed to a cold wind. Lew Adams from the Lakeway Historical Society video taped FOP volunteers working at City Park, HGB and Skate Park. Revised Workday Projects City Park : o FOP Shed painted forest green on Thu. 2/14 - Carl - DONE o Rake and clean-up shore line at the 682 foot level - Dar - DONE o Rock wall repair - Bernie - DONE o Weed trimming - Bernie - DONE o Challenge and primitive trail clean-up and spread mulch - Bill - DONE o Erosion control on primitive trail behind the basketball court - Bill - postponed HGB : o Lohman's Crossing entrance garden make over - Kathleen - DONE o Yucca removal/transplant - Jim - DONE Skate Park : o Remove or trim shrubs and other plants - Dave - DONE Pavilion : o Hamburgers and sides - Judy - Served hot food despite the cold!	Kids enjoying bird blind in the Hamilton Greenbelt. Photo by Carl Christensen

Annual Membership Meeting

Thursday January 31

THE FRIENDS OF THE PARKS OF LAKEWAY ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, was held on Thursday, January 31, 2019. The meeting was open to the public.

We had 82 people in attendance at our meeting.

The Friends of the Parks (FOP) Annual Membership Meeting will be held at the Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway TX 78734. The program will begin with Registration at 6 p.m., a BBQ dinner will be served at 6:30. Following the dinner there will be business meeting at 7:00 and guest speaker at 7:30. The dinner is free for paid up members and $10 for non-members. The annual membership of $15 per family can be paid at registration. You must make a reservation for the BBQ by Saturday, January 26, 2019 by contacting Bernie Reding at 512-261-5633 or countyboy@aol.com.

Andy and Julia Balinsky will be the speakers this year. Their topic is the maintenance and care of Purple Martin roosting habitat. The Balinskys have participated in a video about Purple Martins produced for PBS. They have made presentation for the Travis Audubon Society regarding the roosting habits of the Purple Martins. Andy and Julia have managed the Purple Martin colony at Hornsby Bend since 2002, having fledged around 1700 birds.

Friends of the Parks is an all-volunteer 501(C)(3) non-profit organization of men and women that build and maintain trails and gardens in the City's Parks and Greenbelts. Workdays are held the 2nd Saturday of the month (excluding June-August). The volunteer workdays begin at 8:00 and end at approximately 11:45 a.m. A picnic lunch is provided at the City Park Pavilion following each workday. FOP also holds its Annual Wilderness Fun Run/ Walk at Hamilton Greenbelt in mid-April.

Come join your neighbors in the great outdoors and help improve the parks and greenbelts for walking, hiking, jogging and biking.

Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.

The Balinskys are the scheduled speakers for the Annual Membership Meeting at the end of January.

Purple Martins and their bird houses.

January 2019
Upcoming Events ~~January Board meeting will be Monday, Jan. 7th at 6:30PM in the LAC.~~ ~~January workday will be Sat. Jan. 12th starting at 8AM at the Pavilion in City Park.~~ The Annual Membership Meeting will be Thu. Jan. 31st, save the date! February Board meeting will be Mon. 2/4 6:30PM at the LAC. February workday will be Sat. 2/9 starting at 8AM at the Pavilion in City Park. The 21st Wilderness Run/Walk will be Sat. 4/27, details to be announced. We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks For those who shop on Amazon, FOP is now a listed charitable organization and can receive 0.5% of your Amazon purchase. Navigate to smile.amazon.com, login, select "Change Your Charity" and search for "Friends of the Park" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Family membership dues for 2019, pay by mail, click here or pay in person at our workday, contact our Treasurer Bernie. Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.	Come join Elmer removing ligustrum (an invasive tree species) in the Hamilton Greenbelt. Photo by Jim Dunn.
January 12/27/2018 - LCRA rain gauge reported 3.3 inches of rain near the Palos Verde bridge. This is a potential January workday project. 1/3/2019 - LCRA rain gauge reported 2.2 inches of rain near the Palos Verde bridge. 1/11/2019 - Forecast for about 0.7 inches of rain! Forecast for rain ending very early Sat. Jan. 12th so we should be able to proceed with our workday. Temperatures will be cool so dress in layers and bring gloves. Meet at the upper parking lot of City Park near the Pavilion at 8AM to sign up for one of the following projects. We had over 40 volunteers sign in on this sunny crisp day. Temperature was in the high 40s around 8AM but warmed up during the morning. The wind from the north was very noticeable during our lunch period. Workday Projects o City Park : install three concrete bases for the Purple Martin birdhouses - Carl - Two of the three holes were dug, concrete mixed and posts set in the Wildflower Meadow area. o HGB o Lohman's Crossing entrance garden maintenance - Kathleen - trimmed and tidied up, ready for spring planting. o erosion control along HGB I - Bill - Three more sites were completed plus updated one site done in December. o trail clean-up at Palos Verde trailhead bridge (HGB II) - Dar - The city beat us to the bridge clean-up so we worked on erosion control on the trails near the picnic table/water fountain. o ligustrum removal near Sailmaster waterfall - Dave and Elmer - along with eight other volunteers cut for three hours until they ran out of gas, two giant brush piles were left behind. o Duck Lake trail maintenance - Jim - a small group worked on erosion control from the trail head to the HGB I intersection. We then pulled cedar saplings in the area near the Sailmaster waterfall. o A hot lunch of brats and sides was provided - Judy - brats, sauerkaut, baked beans, pasta salad, fruit tray and multiple dessert plates rewarded the hungry volunteers.	Flood debris at Palos Verde bridge over Yaupon Creek. Photo by Pat McDermott

December 2018

Upcoming Events

December workday rescheduled to Sat. 12/15 starting at 8AM at the Pavilion in City Park.
The Annual Membership Meeting will be Thu. Jan. 31st, save the date!
January Board meeting will be Mon. 1/7 6:30PM at the LAC.
January workday will be Sat. 1/12 starting at 8AM at the Pavilion in City Park.
We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer
Lakeway Friends of the Parks
For those who shop on Amazon, FOP is now a listed charitable organization and can receive 0.5% of your Amazon purchase.
Navigate to smile.amazon.com, login, select "Change Your Charity" and search for "Friends of the Park" located in Lakeway, TX
and click on the Select button.
Family membership dues for 2019, pay by mail, click here or pay in person at our workday, contact our Treasurer Bernie.

Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.

Fall colors found at the entrance to HGB I this November. Photo by Bob Schooler

December Workday Projects

Please arrive at the Pavilion (upper parking lot) of City Park at 8AM on Saturday, December 15th to volunteer for one of the following workday projects. Bring gloves!.

o City Park : trim cedars and other clean-up - Bernie and Carl - DONE
o HGB : Lohman's Crossing entrance garden maintenance - Kathleen - DONE
         erosion control along HGB I - Bill - Three sites setup with straw wattle and signs
         trail clean-up in Hurst Hollow (HGB II) - Dan - DONE
         cedar sapling removal inside loop near Sailmaster waterfall - Jim - 90% done
o Canyonland trails : trimming and trail maintenance. - did not have a team for Canyonlands
o Tree removal HGB - Dave and Elmer - 80% done, more ligustrum to cut at Sailmaster waterfall
o A hot lunch of pulled pork sandwiches and sides was provided. Judy - 100% customer satisfaction!

Hidden Grotto of the Canyonlands, named by George Blume. Photo by Dar Moneyhon

Our December Volunteers

Pat McDermott	Dave Cross	Kathleen Christensen
Allison Winchester	Elmer Tyler	Jim Dunn
Carl Christensen	Mike Light	Lorraine Tallent
Bob Sauerman	Dan Moyer	Doris McDermott
Tony Mataya	Archie Ruatto	Carlisle Pearson
Ron Moore	Dick Drury	Clare Freas
Mike Taylor	Searcy Willis	Fred Hazen
Dennis Gans	Bill Freas	Judy Hazen
Bernie Reding

The weather cleared up and the wind was calm and the sun shined down on us for great workday.

City Park Project
Carl Christensen, Archie Ruatto, Dick Drury, Bob Sauerman, Ron Moore, Dennis Gans and Bernie Reding worked mostly in the south half of City Park. Dick, Bob, Archie, Ron and Bernie spread flood debris, that City equipment could not pick up and removed larger debris and stacked for later pick up by the City. Carl mowed tall grass and brush using a large stand-on mower borrowed from the City. Dennis Gans cut brush using a walk-behind brush cutter with a saw blade attachment. After that, the crew spent some time trimming trees. Before going to lunch, the crew picked up junk from the shed area and placed it in a large dumpster parked at the street. Thanks to the City of Lakeway for providing the stand-on mower.
In addition Bernie got together with Elmer Tyler and David Cross the following Tuesday morning where they did additional trimming and cutting per directions from Carrie Burns and Bernie.
submitted by Bernie Reding

Carl, Bernie, Ron, Dennis, Archie, Dick and Bob (click to enlarge)

Carl, Bernie, Ron, Dennis, Archie, Dick and Bob worked in City Park. Photo by Bernie Reding.

Hamilton Greenbelt Erosion Control
Bill Freas, Tony Mataya and Searcy Willis put down Straw-Wattle erosion control barriers in three locations along HGB connecting trail. These barriers slow and divert water flow on short-cut primitive trails to help control erosion on the main trails of crushed granite. Signs have been placed at both ends of the areas saying "Closed for Revegetation.". Thanks to the City of Lakeway for providing the Kubota and the straw wattle and signs.
submitted by Bill Freas

Searcy and Bill installing wattle (click to enlarge)

Searcy and Bill installing straw wattle at a HGB I location. Photo by Tony Mataya

Hamilton Greenbelt Entrance
Doris McDermott, Allison Winchester, Kathleen Christensen and Lorraine Tallent trimmed, pruned and cleaned up frozen shrubs and plants at the entrance to Hamilton Greenbelt and around the Chapel of the Four Seasons.
submitted by Jim Dunn

Kathleen pruning a shrub (click to enlarge)

Kathleen pruning a shrub below the Chapel of the Four Seasons. Photo by Jim Dunn

Hamilton Greenbelt Invasive Tree Removal
Mike Light, Mike Taylor, Elmer Tyler, Dave Cross and Pat McDermott worked in Hamilton Greenbelt I cutting down ligustrum and Chinese tallow trees. They started at the bridge over Hurst Creek on Lohmann's Crossing, then cut down more invasive trees at the little waterfall on Hurst Creek. Finally they tackled the large ticket of ligustrum at the Sailmaster waterfall on Hurst Creek. There is still some ligustrum to remove next workday.
submitted by Jim Dunn

Mike, Mike, Elmer, Dave and Pat removed ligustrum (click to enlarge)

Mike Light, Mike Taylor, Elmer Tyler, Dave Cross and Pat McDermott removed ligustrum trees by the Sailmaster Waterfall on Hurst Creek. Photo by Jim Dunn

Hamilton Greenbelt Cedar Sapling Removal
Dan Moyer and Jim Dunn first went to Hurst Hollow to pickup a few leftover flood debris items. We then proceeded to HGB I and helped Elmer by dragging out cut ligustrum at the little waterfall on Hurst Creek. We then went to the area inside the loop at the Sailmaster waterfall and the Duck Lake trail entrance and removed cedar saplings with pick, hoe and yanking. The soil was very loose and wet from recent rains. A few cedar saplings remain to be plucked at the next workday.
submitted by Jim Dunn

Dan using pick to remove cedar saplings (click to enlarge)

Dan using a pick to remove cedar saplings. Photo by Jim Dunn

Lunch
Here's the food that was served on Saturday. Pulled pork sandwiches - Judy, Scalloped corn - Kathleen, Fruit tray - Carlisle, Coleslaw salad from Lynn and Donna, Baked beans - Judy, Cookies and drinks from Doris, Brownies from Clare and Ximena. Picnic food donors (with sides and cookies): Carol Ferree, Judy Hazen, Ximena and Bob Sauerman, Cindy Berdan, Carlisle Pearson, Doris McDermott, Clare Freas, Kathleen Christensen and Lynn Moore.
Isn't it fun second guessing the weather?
Thanks for your volunteer efforts.
submitted by Judy Hazen

View photos from the workday.

Fruit and dessert plates (click to enlarge)

Fruit and dessert plates at the Pavilion. Photo by Jim Dunn

Volksmarch in the Canyonland
Volksmarch in Canyonlands of Lakeway Saturday Nov 17 The weather was great and we had what I would consider a good turnout. Several FOP members were among the 40 people to walk 3 miles and the 39 who climbed the 6 mile Mt. Lakeway route, for a total of 79 human participants and I would estimate, 15 dogs. Carl and Kathleen Christensen, Bill Freas, Dar and Eileen Moneyhon worked registration and general support for the event. Dan Moyer provided posting and updates of the Volksmarch on several social media sites. Emily Haeussler and Dan provided guided tours to Mt. Lakeway for a number of interested walkers. FOP provided walkers bottled water, juice boxes, bags of pretzels, bags of goldfish and free beer from Infamous Brewing Company, donated by Josh Horowitz of Infamous Brewing Company. With beer donated, roughly $150.00 was spent on the event and we received $55.00 as donations resulting in an FOP outlay of about $95.00 for the Volksmarch. Erwin Boettcher, Chairman of the City Parks and Recreation Committee walked the three mile course and said, "This should be an annual event." Pleasantly surprising to me was the number of people who hung around and socialized after the walk, resting, enjoying a beautiful day, drinking beer and eating pretzels. Submitted by Dar Moneyhon Canyonlands Volksmarch photos click here. Friends of the Parks of Lakeway (FOP) is hosting a free volksmarch in the Canyonlands Greenbelt in Lakeway on Saturday, November 17th from 12-4:30 PM. Volksmarch, or peoples walk, is a non-timed, non-competitive walk. The concept originated in Germany in the early 1960's and emphasizes exercise, enjoyment of the outdoors and a friendly social atmosphere rather than athletic competition. FOP is hosting the event to encourage Lakeway and Lake Travis area residents to become more familiar with the primitive trails in the Canyonlands. There will be two courses, a 3-mile walk within Canyonlands that is easy to moderately difficult and a 6-mile roundtrip to the top of "Mount Lakeway" the highest point in Lakeway. The hike to the top is moderately difficult and consists of an uphill climb on a primitive trail for the last three quarters of a mile.	FOP sponsored unofficial/non-sanctioned Volksmarch. Photo by Jim Dunn Emily and Jerry lead the 12:30 walk through the Canyonlands and on up to Mt. Lakeway. Photo by Jim Dunn
Volksmarch, registration, start and finish point will be in the small field west of the Lakeway Swim Center at the intersection of Highlands Boulevard and Trophy Drive. Parking is available in the Lakeway Swim Center parking lot. Start your walk at any time. If you wish to do three miles, allow at least an hour. If you wish to walk to the top of Mount Lakeway, allow at least three hours for the 6-mile round trip. Walk on your own, or FOP will offer guided walks up Mount Lakeway at 12:30 and 1 PM. There is no stroller access for either walk, and the walk to Mount Lakeway is not recommended for children younger than six. The oldest walker to summit Mount Lakeway to date is 90 years old. Wear hiking or comfortable walking shoes, bring sufficient water, walking or trekking sticks as desired, and if you like, wear your lederhosen. Dogs are welcome. Come with family and friends, walk leisurely through Canyonlands, explore the primitive trails, hear bubbling streams, or climb Mount Lakeway to see Lake Travis and maybe some fall color. A volksmarch tradition is to have refreshments after the walk. FOP will provide a small snack at the finish. For adults 21 and older a free beer from Infamous Brewing Company will be available. A small participation recognition also will be given to all walkers at the finish. This is not an official American Volksport Association (AVA) event, so no stamps for IVV credit will be available. For further information or questions contact Dar Moneyhon at dmoneyhon@gmail.com or 512 261-3691. FOP is a 501(c)(3) volunteer organization focused on promoting, maintaining and improving the parks and green spaces in Lakeway.
Download a flyer by clicking here.

November Workday Projects
Saturday Nov. 10th volunteers to meet at City Park at 8AM to assist on several projects around Lakeway's parks and greenbelts.

o City Park flood clean-up - bring rakes, shovels for the trails and plastic/nitrile/leather gloves and brushes for benches, tables, etc.
o HGB trail flood clean-up - rakes and shovels for the trails.
o Canyonland trails - maintenance and trimming prior to the Volksmarch the following Sat. 11/17.
o Wildflower seeding - crew of two or three for Palos Verde trailhead area.
o City Park Gardens - repair, trim and clean

o FOP member Bob Froeschle passed away on Oct. 8, 2018.

Bird Blind in HGB when Lake Travis was at +704 feet. Photo by Jim Dunn

Upcoming Events

Sat. Nov. 10th FOP workday 8AM
Volksmarch up Mt. Lakeway, Nov. 17th Starts at Noon, at the Canyonlands Trophy Trailhead across from the Swim Center. More details TBA
Mon. Dec. 3rd FOP Board meeting 6:30PM
Sat. Dec. 8th FOP workday 8AM
FOP Annual Business Meeting LAC Thu. Jan. 31 6PM details TBA
25th Anniversary of opening of City Park April 6th 2019
We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer
Lakeway Friends of the Parks
For those who shop on Amazon, FOP is now a listed charitable organization and can receive 0.5% of your Amazon purchase. Navigate to smile.amazon.com, login, select "Change Your Charity" and search for "Friends of the Park" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button.
For more workday photos, click here.

Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.

City Park flooded at +704 feet by Lake Travis on Sat. Oct. 20, 2018.

A Big Thank You

We sincerely appreciate all of the great work you do, and want you all to know how truly grateful we are.

On behalf of the entire staff, thank you!

Submitted by Andra Bennett
Director of Parks & Recreation
City of Lakeway

Our November Volunteers

Ron Moore	Dan Moyer	Emily Haeussler	National Honor Society
Gary Cobb	Dar Moneyhon	Deane Willis	Haley Hundl
Dick Drury	Terry Sears	Searcy Willis	Georgia Ackland
Jim Dunn	Carl Christensen	Allison Winchester	Emily DuBose
Bob Schooler	Tyler Glass	Pat McDermott	Nithya Attalun
Bernie Reding	Aidan Glass	Doris McDermott	Chloe Jones
Mike Taylor	Stacy Smith	Sheryl Kelly	Ryan Ahmed
John Ruatto	Sophie Smith	Sondra Morton	Cayla Phelps
Lorraine Tallent	Bob Sauerman	Linda Mackie
Wesley Jacobs	Carmon Marshall	Carlisle Pearson
Carol Linn	Todd Mouser	Judy Hazen
Jerry Cooper	Mike Light

Volunteers gather at the upper parking lot in City Park at 8AM. Photo by Dan Moyer

City Park

At the north end of City Park , where the heaviest flood debris landed Carl Christensen, Mike Light, Gary Cobb, Mike Taylor, and Pat McDermott worked on cleaning up the trail as well as scrubbing all benches and tables.

Submitted by Carl Christensen

Bench before cleaning (click to enlarge)

Flood waters left grime behind. A bench in City Park before cleaning. Photo by Jim Dunn

All of this crew's work was dedicated to the cleanup of City Park after October's flood. One group from the crew scrubbed and disinfected all tables and benches in the lower picnic area. A mixture of Clorox Outdoor, Tide and water was used as the cleaning solution. The tables and benches were then rinsed using a hose and nozzle. Afterwards, they cleaned other tables and benches in the park that were affected by the flood and then joined others in the crew picking up and raking up debris. Debris was placed by the trail for later pick up by City employees.

Other members of the crew worked at the cleanup of the south end of the park. As other crews finished tasks outside of the park, they joined in with the park cleanup. The crew consisted of Carol Linn (new member), Bob Sauerman, Ron Moore and Bernie Reding and hard working members of Lake Travis High School National Honor Society.

submitted by Bernie Reding

Volunteers rake up flood debris (click to enlarge)

Volunteers rake up flood debris along a trail in City Park. Photo by Jim Dunn

Carmon Marshall, Todd Mouser and Jim Dunn started raking debris along the 704 foot flood line starting at the south end of the park near the Wildflower Meadow. We raked debris into multiple piles and windrows as we worked our way towards the lower parking lot. We picked up limbs, logs, lumber and plastic out of the debris. We were later joined by a number of people who put the large debris into green trash cans, rolled big styrofoam blocks out of the trees and many more people with rakes.

Bernie ran the gasoline powered leaf blower along the trails. Blower provided by the City of Lakeway.

submitted by Jim Dunn

Volunteers rolling flood debris (click to enlarge)

Volunteers rolling flood debris out of the trees in City Park. Photo by Jim Dunn

Hamilton Greenbelt

On Nov. 5, Bernie Reding, Mike Light and Carl Christensen cleaned up at the bird blind this morning! We washed down the wood in the sitting area and scrubbed the water feature.

Submitted by Carl Christensen

Bernie washing bird blind (click to enlarge)

Bernie washing bird blind after the flood waters receded. Photo by Carl Christensen

Bob Schooler, Dick Drury and Archie Ruatto spread 1.5 pounds of wildflower seed mixed with sand along Yaupon Creek starting at the Palos Verde trailhead in areas for which we ran out of seeds last month. We saw evidence that last month seeding areas that were covered by the flood water are germinating. In addition areas that were not flooded had very high germination rates. After spreading wildflower seeds along HGB, we returned to City Park and joined in late in the clean up effort there.

You can see maybe 100 tiny seedlings in this photo. There are at least four bluebonnet seedlings in this photo. The bluebonnet seedlings are the large seedlings with two large circular petals opposite each other. The area covered in the photo is maybe 18" x 24".

submitted by Bob Schooler

Wildflower seedlings germinated after being planted in October. Photo by Bob Schooler

Dan Moyer along with Emily Haeussler and two LTHS National Honor Society students went to the Hurst Hollow section of the HGB primitive trails. They cleaned flood debris off of the trails, filled garbage bags with trash and hauled several chunks of styrofoam up the hill to the MUD treatment pumps below Golf Crest. The trails will need additional clean-up.

Submitted by Jim Dunn

Large chunks of styrofoam from Hurst Hollow. Photo by Dan Moyer

Canyonlands

Jerry Cooper, Lorraine Tallent, Linda Mackie, Allison Winchester and Sondra Morton did general clean up in the two gardens at the Trophy Drive entrance to Canyon Lands. Lorraine moved some native Zexmenia plants that were outside the planters to inside the planters. They then returned to City Park and started maintenance work on Barnes Memorial Garden.

submitted by Jerry Cooper and Lorraine Tallent

These ladies assisted Jerry Cooper and Lorraine Tallent. Photo by Jim Dunn

New member Terry Sears, two young mountain bikers, Aidan Glass and Tyler Glass, working for "paydirt", and Dar Moneyhon labored in the Canyonlands. They cut some high grass along the upcoming Nov. 17th Volksmarch trail, did trail maintenance including rolling a large boulder perfectly into place along the Pond Trail, placed stepping stones along the pond spillway and spread crushed granite at the Trophy Drive Canyonlands trailhead.

Submitted by Dar Moneyhon

Aidan, Terry and Tyler move a boulder (click to enlarge)

Aidan, Terry and Tyler move a boulder on a trail in the Canyonlands. Photo by Dar Moneyhon

Lunch

Picnic food: cornbread and cupcakes provided by Carlisle Pearson, Kathleen Christensen, Carol Ferree, Judy Hazen, Lynn Moore and Sheryl Kelly. I apologize that my southwest pork stew was late being served. (I didn’t factor in that the ambient temp of 45 degrees may have effected the cooker!) Thanks for your kind comments anyway.

Submitted by Judy Hazen

For more workday photos, click here.

Judy serving hot stew to Aidan and Tyler (click to enlarge)

Judy serving hot southwest pork stew to Aidan and Tyler at the Pavilion. Photo by Jim Dunn

October 2018
Upcoming Events Sat. Oct. 13th FOP workday 8AM Sat. Oct. 13th George Ferrie Memorial dedication 1:30PM at the Pavilion Mon. Nov. 5th FOP Board meeting 6:30PM Sat. Nov. 10th FOP workday 8AM Volksmarch up Mt. Lakeway, Nov. 17th Starts at Noon, at the Canyonlands Trophy Trailhead across from the Swim Center. More details TBA FOP Annual Business Meeting LAC Thu. Jan. 31 6PM details TBA 25th Anniversary of opening of City Park April 6th 2019 We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks For those who shop on Amazon, FOP is now a listed charitable organization and can receive 0.5% of your Amazon purchase. Navigate to smile.amazon.com, login, select "Change Your Charity" and search for "Friends of the Park" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.	Yaupon Creek by Bird Blind, Oct. 8, 2018. Photo by Pat McDermott
October Workday Projects Bring gloves, rakes and water! Gather together at Pavilion upper level parking lot of City Park at 8AM to volunteer for one of the projects listed below. Our MAJOR project of the day is spreading wildflower seeds at City Park and Hamilton Greenbelt. A very early rain on Saturday preceded our workday but in general did not hinder our projects. We had over 30 volunteers spreading seeds, clearing and repairing trails and preparing for new Purple Martin birdhouses. o spread bluebonnet seeds in the Wildflower Meadow - done o spread wildflower seed mixture at City Park - done o spread bluebonnet seeds in Hamilton Greenbelt - done o spread wildflower seed mixture in Hamilton Greenbelt - done but ran out of seeds on HGB II o remove old bird house posts and fill in the resulting holes - done o spread mulch by Ranger ball field - postponed o spread mulch by George Ferrie's Memorial Swing - postponed o trim and clean-up at the HGB I entrance - done o work on erosion control on the HGB I/II trails - started, very long-term project o trimming and removing Chinese tallow trees, ligustrum and poverty weed in Hamilton Greenbelt - postponed o clearing fallen trees on the Hamilton Greenbelt Duck Lake primitive trail - done o enjoy complimentary lunch - done!!!	Yaupon Creek above Rainbow Bridge, Oct. 8, 2018. Photo by Pat McDermott
City Park Bird Houses Dan Moyer, Larry Yancey and Carl Christensen removed all 6 old birdhouses and poles from City Park using the walk-behind BobCat. We filled all holes with dirt and tamped each site down. The poles and refuse were left next to the parking lot for removal by Lakeway Parks crews. Hopefully they were removed before the flood ensued. Thanks to the City for providing the walk-behind and the Kubota with fill dirt. submitted by Carl Christensen	Carl and Larry removing old birdhouse at City Park. Photo by Dan Moyer
City Park Wildflower Meadow A small crew of four worked in and around the Wildflower Meadow and near the lower parking lot. The crew was Ron Moore, John Wilkins, Dennis Gans and Bernie Reding. John and Ron planted one pound of Bluebonnet seeds in bare areas of the Wildflower Meadow. Bernie used a straight shaft brush cutter to trim around trees in the Meadow. Dennis, usd a Bearcat walk-behind brush cutter, cleared brush outside of the Wildflower Meadow. John Wilkins helped Dan Moyer and Carl Christensen, from another crew, remove an old non-functioning bird house. Dennis and John trimmed an overgrown Texas Mountain Laurel next to the upper trail. Pat McDermott who joined us after completing his project at HGB I, removed a dying agave located at the bus turn-a-round. Existing agave pups were left in place to replace the one being removed. submitted by Bernie Reding	Ron and John seeding bluebonnets at City Park. Photo by Jim Dunn
City Park Wildflower Seeding Bob Sauerman and Dar Moneyhon worked with a group of students and their mothers to plant wildflower seeds in Lakeway City Park. Azeem from Anderson High School National Honor Society and his mother, Anisa and there was Ava and Michele, from National Charity League and finally Larson and his mother, Holly from Lake Travis Mountain Bike Team raked the ground and sowed eight pounds of wildflower seeds. Dar used a Bearcat to cut high grass in some areas to facilitate the seeding effort. We finished in record time and under budget! submitted by Dar Moneyhon	Bob and Dar directed a group of volunteers that spread wildflower seeds at various location in City Park. Photo by Dar Moneyhon
Hamilton Greenbelt Entrance We worked at the Garden of the Four Season at the entrance to Hamilton Green Belt. Dave Cross removed a dead tree at the entrance. Kathleen Christenson, Briannah Noak, Emma Wright and Pat McDermott trimmed the weeds and plants. We also spread one pound of bluebonnet seeds in an area just beyond the Garden of the Four Season. Doris McDermott joined us midway through the workday. submitted by Pat McDermott	Kathleen, Briannah, Pat and Emma planting bluebonnet seeds near the entrance of HGB I. Photo by Doris McDermott
Hamilton Greenbelt Wildflower Seeding Bob Schooler was the catyalst behind ordering 21 pounds of wildfower seeds, he made the proposal before the FOP board and it was approved, he ordered the seeds and with the help Dar and Sheryl flagged areas in City Park and the Hamilton Greenbelt to be seeded. At the beginning of the workday he directed the team working in the Hamilton Greenbelt. About 60% of the mixture of Bee Happy mix and Lady Bird Legacy mix was put into a wheelbarrow along with sand and the two were mixed together. The other 40% went with Dar's group to seed parts of City Park. The group members working in HGB I were Bob Schooler, his visiting friend Mick Harrigan, Mike Taylor, Mary Ann Moore and Linda Mackie. They were later joined by Jim Dunn. The areas along the trail were raked to remove old grass and expose the soil. The seed/sand mixture was sown by hand and then the area was lightly raked to make sure the seeds have good soil contact. The rains early Saturday morning and then on Monday should provide a boost to the germination process. submitted by Jim Dunn	Mike, Mick, Linda, Bob and Mary Ann are planting wildflower seeds in HGB I. Photo by Jim Dunn
Hamilton Greenbelt Erosion Control Mike Light, Dave Cross and Bill Freas cleaned, widened and dug diversion ditches at three culvert openings along the HGB crushed granite trail. We built rock walls to help move the high water to the culverts. This should eliminate some of the erosion problems caused by the water overflowing on the trail (assuming the recent flooding hasn't already destroyed our work). submitted by Bill Freas	Dave, Bill and Mike building rock trench to direct water off the HGB I trail. Photo by Jim Dunn
Hamilton Greenbelt Duck Lake primitive trail clean-up Anthony Coley started the workday clearing fallen cedar trees on one of the Duck Lake primitive trails. He was joined by Dan Moyer and Larry Yancey who helped cut and drag and rebuild the damaged trail. submitted by Jim Dunn	Larry and Anthony clearing fallen cedars on a primitive trail in HGB I area. Photo by Dan Moyer
Lunch A Halloween theme was found at the Pavilion! Taco salad for lunch prepared by Sheryl Kelly. Doris McDermott and Ximena Sauerman served at the tables. Thank you to food and dessert providers: Sheryl Kelly, Carlisle Pearson, Kathleen Christensen and Carlisle Pearson. Beverages/ice brought by Doris McDermott. Carlisle also brought decorations to brighten our tables. submitted by Jim Dunn	Carlise serving ice cream. Photo by Jim Dunn

September 2018
Upcoming Events Sat. Sept. 8th FOP workday 8AM. Green light for starting the work day, please arrive at 8AM. It will be muddy. Will cancel if rain or lightning occurs. Mon. Oct. 1st FOP Board meeting 6:30PM Volksmarch up Mt. Lakeway, Nov. 2018 25th Anniversary of opening of City Park April 7th 2019 We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks For those who shop on Amazon, FOP is now a listed charitable organization and can receive 0.5% of your Amazon purchase. Navigate to smile.amazon.com, login, select "Change Your Charity" and search for "Friends of the Park" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information. Sept. workday photos click here!	Purple Martin Houses coming soon to Lakeway
September Workday Projects We were fortunate to have a break in the rain Saturday morning! Due to the soft soil from heavy rains the preceding days some projects were postponed. Twenty seven volunteers registered and worked at various locations. Several groups worked in City Park, one group prepared the Wildflower Meadow for wildflower seeding in October. Another group repaired erosion on one of the trails near the basketball court. A third group spread mulch north of the Ranger ball field. We had three groups of volunteers cleaning up the primitive trails of the Hamilton Greenbelt and later one group touched up the Smith Greenbelt trail. One group of people patrolled the trails of the Canyonlands and did minor repairs and trimming.	Volunteers sign-up at the beginning of the workday
City Park o Mulching north of Ranger Field o Removing old Purple Martin bird houses - postponed to Oct. o Wildflower Meadow Raking Carl Christensen, Ron Moore and John Caporal repaired the upper loop trail from where it intersects with the asphalt trail leading to the Wild Flower Meadow. They installed cedar rails in the trail to divert water off the crushed granite path. They also cleaned up silt off the asphalt trail. submitted by Carl Christensen In preparation for wildflowers in the Wildflower Meadow next spring, FOP volunteers raked dead grass and weeds from the meadow's surface so seeds can make good contact with the ground. Seeding should happen no later than our next workday in October. Volunteers who participated were: Dave Cross, John Wilkins, Bob Sauerman and Bernie Reding. Later in the work session, Dan Moyer, Kimberly Nordhoff and Pat McDermott joined the crew. High humidity and heat made working conditions not too pleasant. submitted by Bernie Reding	Volunteers clean-up silt and control erosion at City Park. Photo by Carl C.
HGB I & II and Smith Greenbelt o HGB trail maintenance o HGB primitive trail maintenance Bob Kirmse, Mike Light, Mike Taylor and Dar Moneyhon entered Hamilton Greenbelt at Squires, walked all trails down to Hurst Creek and over to Hurst Hollow. They checked for erosion, trimmed branches over hanging the trails and used a weed eater to cut high grass. submitted by Dar Moneyhon Jim Dunn, Mireille Kirmse, Allison Winchester and Sondra Morton spread the mulch pile provided by the City of Lakeway on bare earth north of the Ranger ballfield. We were joined by two middle schoolers Briannah and Larson Noak and their mother at the Golfcrest trailhead in the Hamiton Greenbelt. We trimmed back limbs and weeds along the trail towards the Overlook. We cleaned out the culvert at upper crossing of the creek. At the Overlook we stopped to take pictures of the group plus Mike Light and Bob Kirmse who where part of Dar's trail crew. We proceeded southward and downhill towards the bird blind cleaning up some deadfall across the trail just before it joined the small loop. Next we cleaned out the two culverts at the creek leading to the Bird Blind. Next stop was the Bird Blind and we did see a few birds and lots of flowing water in Yaupon Creek. We traveled back uphill to the Golfcrest trail head, got in our vehicles. On the way back to City Park, Jim, Mireille, Allison and Sondra stopped at the Smith Greenbelt and patroled the short 1/4 mile trail with some minor trimming and clean-up of the wooden bridge. Back in our vehicles we continued to City Park and joined the lunch in progress! submitted by Jim Dunn	FOP volunteers Sondra, Allison, Bob, Mireille, Mike, and Noak family pause at the Overlook in Hamilton Greenbelt.
Canyonlands o Clean-up/repair trail from arched railing bridge up to the canyon rim o Bisset Drive trailhead, clean up George Ferrie Memorial Swing site Dan Moyer, Kim Nordhoff, Michael Smith, Lisa Weidenbach. Larry Yancey and Becky Gernand, a mixture of FOP members, friends and members of the mountain bike community went to the Canyonland trails at the beginning of the workday. We showed up to Canyonlands to fix a part of the trail we were told was damaged but we arrived to find the trail in good shape. We ended up walking the small loop in the Canyonlands and pruned back the "eye pokers" and touched up the trails. We popped out of the canyon by George Ferrie's Memorial swing and cleaned up the clump of trees around it. Afterwards, since we finished early, we met up with Bernie's crew and helped rake the wildflower meadow in City Park. submitted by Dan Moyer	FOP volunteers trim around George Ferrie's memorial swing in Canyonlands. Photo by Dan M.
Lunch I am grateful for our food committee who came through on a last minute notice to provide sandwiches, salads and desserts. Thank you - Kathleen Christensen, Deb Caporal, Doris and Pat McDermott, Ximena and Bob Sauerman, Donna Ferrie anf Lynn Moore. You are the best! submitted by Judy Hazen	Build your own sandwich at the Pavilion
Sept. workday photos click here!

May 2018
Upcoming Events Sat. May 12th FOP workday 8AM No meetings or workdays scheduled for the months of June, July and August We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks For those who shop on Amazon, FOP is now a listed charitable organization and can receive 0.5% of your Amazon purchase. Navigate to smile.amazon.com, login, select "Change Your Charity" and search for "Friends of the Park" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.	Mulching Crew Doris, Mireille, Mike, Archie and Gary Photo by Bill Freas
Bring gloves and water! Gather together at Pavilion upper level parking lot of City Park at 8AM to volunteer for one of the projects listed below. Planned May Workday Projects City Park o Wood chips/mulching north of Ranger Field - Bill and Tony o Mowing - Carl o Agave trimming, storm damage clean up - Bernie o Butterfly Garden - Wayne o Barnes Garden - Pat, if HGB I project finishes early HGB o Entrance landscaping - Pat and Jerry o storm damage clean up as needed Canyonlands o Trophy Drive trailhead, set post in concrete - Dan o Bisset Drive trailhead, clean up George Ferrie site - Dan	Bernie describing City Park projects at the beginning of the workday. Photo by Dan Moyer
May Workday Reports Twenty two volunteers signed at the beginning of the workday and several other volunteers arrived later.	FOP volunteers remove old split rail fencing at City Park.
City Park The volunteers spreading mulch were Doris McDermott, Mireille Kirmse, Mike Light, Archie Ruatto, Gary Evensen and Bill Freas. After spreading mulch on bank near City Park ball field we took out and discarded old rotten fence rails that were along trail to Barnes Garden and dug a couple water diversion channels. submitted by Bill Freas Wayne and Kathie King worked in the Butterfly Garden. Several other small groups of volunteers mowed, trimmed agave and did clean-up through out City Park. Carmon Marshall and Todd Mouser joined FOP yesterday. They were friends of George Ferrie and worked with Dan Moyer in Canyonlands yesterday. My team left brush at the bus entrance and at the south end of the upper parking lot. submitted by Bernie Reding	Thank you That eroded slope by Ranger Field looks terrific now, thanks to the hard work of your volunteers. Thank you for coordinating with the City of Lakeway. Regards, Carrie Burns, Forester
Canyonlands Dan Moyer's group was composed of the new members Carmon and Todd (from Bastrop) and a third invidual who is a young doctor from the mountain bike community. They worked on clearing out the area around the oak tree designated as the site for George Ferrie's memorial. Carmon was a friend of George's from work and wanted to see the memorial area and the trails that George had worked to build. Afterwards we did a walk through Canyonlands with loppers and some trail tools and just did general maintenance/clean up. We finished up back at City Park helping Bill's crew on some trail work. submitted by Dan Moyer	FOP volunteers trim under a cluster of oak trees in the Canyonlands. Photo by Dan Moyer.
Lunch You all jumped right in to help feed our crew again and . . . we get a break now until September – yay!! The lemon cake, cookies and Mexican Sweet bread were delicious. Two kinds of beans were tasty and plentiful. It is such a help to me not to have to haul extra crockpots. And thank you so much for setting up, serving and cleaning up. Frankly, I could not do it by myself anymore. Have a fun summer! submitted by Judy Hazen	Volunteers gather for lunch and refreshment. Photo by Dan Moyer.
May workday photos click here!

New Trail Maps for the Parks of Lakeway

Friends of the Parks is a group of citizens who enjoy the rewards of volunteer service in the parks and greenbelts areas of Lakeway. Monthly Saturday morning work sessions provide opportunities for all levels of service, whether it is tree maintenance, general cleanup or tending memorial gardens at City Park. A few of the hardier members help build and maintain hiking/biking trails in the Hamilton Greenbelts and the Canyonlands Natural Area. Still others provide food for our workday picnics. For information contact Bernie Reding 512-261-5633 or email Bernie

Friends of the Parks sponsors one annual community event which is the annual Wilderness Run/Walk event on the Hamilton Greenbelt trails on the third Saturday of April. The goal of this event is to encourage citizens to get out and enjoy the beauty of the greenbelts and parks of the City of Lakeway.

Friends of the Parks of Lakeway is a 501 (c) 3, Federal Tax Exempt Organization. Donations made to this organization may be tax deductible; check with your tax advisor.

We enjoyed being in the Lakeway 4th of July Parade and our entry received Honorable Mention!	FOP July 4th Parade Rake Drill Team
George Ferrie Memorial Swing has been installed in the Canyonlands near the Bisset Court trail head.	George's Memorial Swing located in the Canyonlands, photo by Donnie Ferrie
MUD construction along Canyonlands rim trail has been completed.	Canyonlands Construction, MUD installed new pipeline during the summer months.
25th Anniversary of opening of City Park April 6th 2019,

News Wilderness Run will be Sat. 27 at 9AM. Mar workday was Sat. Mar. 9th 8AM Details here. Feb workday was Sat. Feb 16th 8AM Details here. Annual Meeting was Thu. Jan 31 6PM Details here. Jan 2019 workday was Sat. Jan 12 8AM Details here. Dec workday was Sat. Dec 15th 8AM Details here. Renew your membership for 2019, click here !!! Contact FOP Treasurer Bernie Reding 512-261-5633 or email countyboy@aol.com Submit your photos and volunteer stories ! ! !

Lakeway Area Parks Map Lakeway City Park Map Lakeway City Park Map (older version) Lakeway City Park Map Interactive Version Hamilton Greenbelt Trails Map Updated 12/30/2010 Canyonland Trails Map (pdf) Updated 2016 Canyonlands Interactive Map Link. Mt Lakeway Trails Map Sep 2012 Lakeway Weather Forecast

Lakeway, Texas

March 2019

February 2019

Revised Workday Projects

Annual Membership Meeting

January 2019

Workday Projects

December 2018

Please arrive at the Pavilion (upper parking lot) of City Park at 8AM on Saturday, December 15th to volunteer for one of the following workday projects. Bring gloves!.

Volksmarch in the Canyonland

October 2018

September 2018

We enjoyed being in the Lakeway 4th of July Parade and our entry received Honorable Mention!

George Ferrie Memorial Swing has been installed in the Canyonlands near the Bisset Court trail head.

MUD construction along Canyonlands rim trail has been completed.

25th Anniversary of opening of City Park April 6th 2019,

May 2018

Thank you

New Trail Maps for the Parks of Lakeway