May 2022
Workday Projects for Sat. May 14 Last workday before the summer break! This Saturday 5/14!!! Howdy All, Friends of the Parks will be holding it's May workday this Saturday at 8AM, starting at the City Park Pavilion. It's probably going to be a warm one, so dress appropriately. Activities for the day are as follows: 1) Spreading mulch on trails near the red bridge in City Park 2) Gathering downed limbs in HGBI 3) Trimming tall grass in City Park 4) Planting plants in a few locations 5) Cleaning up garden bed at Canyonlands entrance Lunch will be a build your own Taco bar! Mmmmm, tacos!!! Thanks lunch crew. See everyone Saturday, ~FoP	Canyonlands entrance garden needs work! Photo by Dan Moyer.
May 2022 - General Membership Annual Meeting We had about forty members present at the first ever annual meeting in the Pavilion in City Park. BBQ meat was catered by Opie's and sides and desserts were provided by our food committee. Special award was to Judy Hazen, presented by Sondra Morton. Guest speaker was Lakeway's mayor Tom Kilgore who is also a member of FOP and a regular volunteer at our workdays. We will be having a dinner and get-together next month on Monday May 9th at 6:30pm at Lakeway City Park Pavilion. This event is open to the public as well and the purpose of the event is to celebrate all the accomplishments of the group over the last couple years, recognize some special volunteers, and enjoy some good food and community. The dinner will be BBQ with sides and various dessert options, and the guest speaker for the event will be Mayor Tom Kilgore. If you plan to attend, please RSVP with your total headcount to Sondra Morton at skmgran@gmail.com. Dinner is free to all current members and anyone can pay membership dues at the meeting at $20 per household. For $20, you can get a BBQ dinner and t-shirts(if you come out to a workday) all while supporting a good cause! Good luck finding a better deal these days! Thanks and hope to see everyone there, ~FoP	FOP members receive their plates at the serving line. Photo by Jim Dunn. Judy Hazen receives a honorary casserole dish for her years of service on the food committee. Photo by Jim Dunn. Fruit bowl provided by Jin and Jack. Photo by Jim Dunn. Mayor Tom Kilgore answers questions after his speech. Photo by Jim Dunn.

April 2022
Wilderness Walk Sat. Apr. 23, Start time 9AM. The Lakeway Friends of the Parks hosted a group hike on Saturday April 23rd starting at the Hamilton Greenbelt main trail head (across from the Justice Center building on Lohman's Crossing). The event is free and open to all, many two or four legged hikers come out for an opportunity to get to meet other community members while enjoying one of Lakeway's prettiest hiking areas. The route was from the HGB trailhead to the bird blind (~1 mile) and then to the overlook area (~0.4 miles) and back to the start. Most participants hiked the entire route (~3 miles).	Hikers gather at the FOP canopy prior to the start of the walk. Photo by Jim Dunn. Hikers enjoying the quiet at the bird blind. Photo by Jim Dunn. Hikers ascending the primitive trail on the way to the Overlook. Photo by Jim Dunn. Hikers enjoying the view at the Overlook. Photo by Jim Dunn.
Workday Report Workday was on Saturday, Apr. 9th. starting at the City Park Pavilion. Current forecast says it will start out cool and warm up quickly so dress appropriately and bring some extra water. Workday activities included: 1) Planting new plants at Butterfly garden and HGBI trailhead, and doing some general clean up of the areas 2) Finishing trail work(spreading mulch) near bridge behind butterfly garden 3) Removing dead cedar in HGBI near the Duck Lake trail Lunch this time was fried chicken and sides!!! And plenty of dessert!! Thanks to all who attended.	Volunteers working in the Butterfly Garden. Photo by Doris McDermott.
Scheduled Workday projects Workday is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 9th. starting at 8AM at the City Park Pavilion. Current forecast says it will start out cool and warm up quickly so dress appropriately and bring some extra water. Anticipated workday activities include: 1) Planting new plants at Butterfly garden and HGBI trailhead, and doing some general clean up of the areas 2) Finishing trail work(spreading mulch) near bridge behind butterfly garden 3) Removing dead cedar in HGBI and working on the Duck Lake trail 4) Stretch goal of removing some low brush near the skate park/swim center Lunch this week will be fried chicken and sides!!! And plenty of dessert!! Look forward to seeing everyone there. Wilderness Walk Sat. Apr. 23, Start time 9AM until 11:30AM. We will setup a canopy and table at the Hamilton Greenbelt entrance at 8:30AM. We will offer guides to the Bird Blind (short route) and the Overlook (more strenuous). Maps and cards will be made available along with FOP labeled water bottles.	Newly painted bridge by the Butterfly Garden. Photo by Carl Christensen.
Upcoming Events Apr. workday Sat. 4/9 starting at 8AM. Apr. Wilderness Walk in HGB Sat. 4/23, Time 9AM May Board meeting Monday 5/2 at 6:30PM. General Membership Meeting/BBQ is planned for Monday evening, May 9th. May workday Sat. 4/14 starting at 8AM. 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 Parks of Lakeway" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Family membership dues for 2022, pay by mail, click here or pay in person at our workday, contact our Treasurer Sondra Morton.	Pat and Dan using the Kobota to haul brush. Photo by Doris McDermott.

March 2022
Workday is scheduled for Saturday, March 12th starting at 8AM. Please arrive at the upper parking lot near the Pavilion. The weather forecast is for cold temperatures and possible rain showers. Travis County is in Stage 2 protocols, please follow the outdoor protocols while working. Project list City Park o Continue with shoreline cleanup and removal brushes o Removal of dead/leaning cedar trees o Clean up Butterfly garden path to the newly painted red bridge and grassy area to left of the garden o Building shelves for inside of shed and facia board placement Hamilton Greenbelt o Cut down dead plants/shrubs at water feature o Rerouting of the path crossing the red bridge o Clean-up along the Duck Lake primitive trail Smith Greenbelt o Remove large/high limb hanging from tree at far end of trail Porpoise Park o Removal of dead agave/century plants and some trees could be limbed up Lunch at the Pavilion starting at 11:30AM o Pizza, veggies, fruit and desserts February Workday photos are here.	Kathleen has started the Butterfly bridge restoration. Restoration to continue in March. Photo by Doris McDermott.
Upcoming Events Mar. Board meeting Monday 3/7 at 6:30PM. Mar. workday Sat. 3/12 starting at 8AM. Apr. Board meeting Monday 4/4 at 6:30PM. Apr. workday Sat. 4/9 starting at 8AM. Apr. Wilderness Walk in HGB Sat. 4/23, Time TBA General Membership Meeting/BBQ is planned for Monday evening, May 9th. 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 Parks of Lakeway" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Family membership dues for 2022, pay by mail, click here or pay in person at our workday, contact our Treasurer Sondra Morton.	Volunteers hauling out the cut limbs and brush near the lake shore. Photo by Jim Dunn.

February 2022
Workday Report The weather was in the 40s but we soon warmed up as we had plenty of projects to work on. February Workday photos are here. Volunteers Carl Christensen Dan Moyer Tom Sidwa Dennis Gans Katie Bigus Steve Bigus Steve Rowland Carol Linn Allison Winchester Dar Moneyhon Dave Cross Jim Dunn Pat McDermott Doris McDermott Daisy Khambatta Ashdin Khambatta Laura Rach Patrick Rach Victoria Waite Shawn Waite Preslee Waite Kaylee Waite     City Park The project near the kayak launching area at City Park was to improve access to the wooded area by removing tall grass and small trees and raising the headroom under the remain trees. Chainsaws, pole saws, pruning shears, as well as walk behind rotary cutters were used. Many volunteers participated for all or part of the project. They included Tom Sidwa, Dave Cross, Steve Rowland, Dennis Ganz, Dan Moyer, Steve Bigus, Kathleen, Jim Dunn, Dar Moneyhon, Bill Freas, the Waite family and Carl Christensen plus others. When the lake edge work was completed, some of us moved to the dog park area to help volunteers there clear undergrowth and improve headroom under cedars. This was requested to improve visibility from the parking lot for safety reasons. submitted by Tom Sidwa and Carl Christensen Jim Dunn and Dan Moyer removed the rotten remains of a post at the lower parking lot. The hole was enlarged, concrete mixed and a new post was set. Jim then went a hundred feet to the south and joined the large crew that was clearing out small brush by the lake shore near the kayak launch area. We filled a large trailer and one small dump truck with cuttings. submitted by Jim Dunn HGB Gardens : Doris McDermott, Joyce Levine, Sondra Morton and Allison Winchester worked on the garden at the entrance. Sondra Morton, Doris McDermott, AllisonWinchester, BJ Livingston, Katie, Carol Linn, Joyce Levine, and Kathleen Christensen cut back plants at the Butterfly, Barnes, and HGB Gardens. We also sanded the bridge above the Butterfly and defined the trail in back of the Butterfly to bridge. submitted by Sondra Morton and Kathleen Christensen Lunch was served at the Pavilion by Judy and the food committee Our crockpots were working overtime to keep the soup hot on such a blustery day! Carlisle - blackeyed peas & cornbread Kathleen - cream fish chowder & French bread Judy - vegetable soup & herb bread Judy - Ina Garten’s Tomato Basil soup Desserts (cookies or brownies): Clare, Sondra & Doris Drinks & Ice: the McDermotts submitted by Judy Hazen February Workday photos are here.	Carl and Jim wrestling with a jackhammer. Photo by Dan Moyer.
In Memory of Kathie King Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church notified us because Kathie King was a member of the church. She had cancer last time we talked with her (last Spring/Summer) and was moving to Colorado to be near family. I think of her always when we work in the Butterfly Garden which was her baby for such a long time. She took the time to share her extensive knowledge about butterflies with Kathleen Christensen, Doris McDermott, Allison Winchester, and me as she passed the baton to us and others to continue beautifying her beloved project. She was such a sweet woman and certainly missed. submitted by Sondra Morton	In Memory of Lew Carlson City of Lakeway tribute Dr. Lewis Carlson, Statesman's obituary I knew him well. I would see him and talk with him several times a week for several years before his illness confined him. He was a wonderful man. He was a member of the FOP Board in the early years of our organization. submitted by Pat McDermott I first met Lew when Judy and I joined the Friends of the Parks in 2000 and I started working alongside Lew on building some of the greenbelt trails that our good friend George Blume pioneered a few years after after the Friends of the Parks was organized in 1996 to encourage volunteer participation in improving and maintaining the city parks and greenbelts. This beautiful description of his life brought tears to my eyes since that is what I best remembered about him. I will miss him. submitted by Fred Hazen
Planned February Workday Activities Please arrive at City Park at the upper parking lot by the Pavilion at 8AM. Sunscreen, caps/hats, leather gloves and heavy denim clothing is recommended. Water bottles will be available. Travis County is still in Stage 5 so we have to stay in small groups, wear protective gear and maintain a safe distance whenever possible. The weather forecast is for a windy day with temperatures starting in the 40s, dress in layers. City Park 1. Cut brush/shrubs on shoreline by kayak launch site 2. Replace rotted split rail post at parking lot 3. Prune/clean out Barnes and Butterfly Gardens 4. Limb up trees/bushes along dog park fence line Hamilton Greenbelt 1. Cleaning up the gardens at main entrance to HGB I. 2. Removing some downed cedar limbs along the HGB trails. Lunch will be available at the Pavilion around 11:30-11:45. Judy and the food committe will be serving four kinds of soup/sides - blackeyed peas & cornbread - cream fish chowder & French bread - vegetable soup & herb bread - tomato basil soup along with plenty of desserts! We will conclude our workday by noon after the summary reports. Looking forward to seeing everyone there! Take the time to enjoy City Park after the workday activities, take a stroll, the purple martins should have a strong presence along with other wild life.	The Overlook of Hurst Creek in Hamilton Greenbelt. Photo by Jim Dunn.

Annual Business Meeting

The General membership meeting has been split into a online only business meeting the evening of Jan. 24, 2022 starting at 7PM. The FOP board decided that due the Stage 5 protocols to go with the online only meeting because our bylaws require a Jan meeting on even years. We will try to schedule an in person social event including food and speakers at a later date, maybe in April when the protocols are lowered.

Lakeway Friends of the Parks

Annual Meeting via Zoom
January 24, 2022
Meeting started at 7 PM Central Standard Time

Agenda

Carl Christensen Presiding

o Welcome
o Introduction of current Board Members
o 2020 Annual Meeting Minutes for approval- Dan Moyer
o 2020 and 2021 Financial Reports for approval- Sondra Morton
o Recap of 2020 and 2021 FOP activities – Carl Christensen
o Report from the Nominating Committee – Pat McDermott
o Election of 2022-2024 Board members and Officers – Carl Christensen
o Recognitions – Carl Christensen
o Member Comments
o Adjournment

About twenty members attended the Zoom version of the Annual Business meeting. The minutes from the 2020 meeting were approved as was the Treasurer's 2020 and 2021 financial reports. Carl reviewed the projects FOP worked on during his term as chairman in 2020 and 2021. Special recognition was given to Bernie Reding and Mike Light for maintenance of equipment, Searcy Willis for banner signs, Bernie Reding, Gary Cobb and Robin Doughty for taking care of the Purple Martins, Lance Eilers for City of Lakeway support. Special recognition was given to Gary Cobb and Laura Hopkins of the Wild Bird Center of Lakeway for the tremendous support for our bird blind and purple martin project. Dar Moneyhon (11 years a member and 7 years on the board) and Bill Freas (14 years a member and 13 years on the board) have stepped down from the FOP board. Tom Sidwa and David Cross were elected by those online to serve two year terms on the FOP Board.

FOP Board members for 2022-2024 are Dan Moyer - Chairman
Carl Christensen - Vice-Chairman
Carol Linn - Secretary
Sondra Morton - Treasurer
Dave Cross - Director
Jim Dunn - Director
Pat McDermott - Director
Bernie Reding - Director
Tom Sidwa - Director
Larry Yancey - Director

View the presentation here.

January 2021

Workday Report We had twenty four volunteers sign in for our workday on a cool and damp Saturday morning, Jan. 8th but many tasks were accomplished. Sondra Morton Phoebe Armstrong Harlen Armstrong Steve Rowland Elmer Tyler David Conner Dan Moyer Larry Yancey Jace Holmes Victoria Waite Shawn Waite Preslee Waite Kaylee Waite Jim Dunn Christi Nicoles Lori Schinsing Marlee Schinsing Henry Christensen Bill Freas Bernie Reding Gary Cobb Steve Bigus Katie Bigus Carl Christensen The Purple Martin house near the south end of City Park where taken down, cleaned of debris and disinfected and raised back up on the posts. We expect the first purple martins to start arriving next week or two. Dan Moyer and Jim Dunn worked on the split rail cedar fence by the trail going between the Butterfly Garden and the Barnes Garden. Four posts were set and the rails inserted. They were assisted on the last section by Carl Christensen on the jackhammer and two high school volunteers. The split rail fencing project is now complete after a long interruption by Covid. submitted by Jim Dunn Larry Yancey and several volunteers used a dump truck to removed trimmed cedars from the Hamilton Greenbelt. Bill Freas, Lori Schinsinger and her daughter Marlee, and Phoebe Armstrong and her son Harlan did trail erosion repair on the primitive crushed granite trail in Hamilton Greenbelt II near the picnic table at the intersection of Squires and Clubhouse trails. We filled five rather deep erosion ruts in the middle of the trail with a mixture of road base, dry cement and a little water. We also reinstalled a couple of erosion log diverters. submitted by Bill Freas A group of volunteers including the Waite family picked up litter along the shore line in City Park. We had a very productive day yesterday in spite of the weather and COVID. Plus we had a good turnout of 25 volunteers. I rented a jack hammer for Jim and Dan to use for the post holes and it was not very useful digging those holes. It worked to break through rock, but was useless in breaking through the other rocky dirt in my opinion. Renting it for a half day was about $80. This morning I went through HGB I AND II and saw numerous fallen cedars along the service road of HGB I that are quite high to cut down. submitted by Carl Christensen Thanks to the City of Lakeway for the use of Kubotas and a dump truck. They also supplied the cedar fencing materials. View more workday photos here.	The group that cleaned the Purple Martin houses. Photo by Carl Christensen.
Planned Workday projects Friday update : Due to Travis County moving to Stage 5 protocol we are asking all volunteers to use masks and other PPE gear. We still plan on doing a few time sensitive activities Sat. morning unless the forecasted drizzle turns to rain. Workday is scheduled for Saturday, Jan 8th. starting at 8AM. Please arrive at the upper parking lot in City Park near the Pavilion. We have a variety of planned activities. Weather forecast is mostly cloudy and cool. Travis County is in Stage 4 protocols and we will be in small groups and maintain a safe distance whenever possible. NO LUNCH THIS WORKDAY SINCE WE ARE IN STAGE 4! 1. City Park clean and repair Purple Martin condos/gourds. 2. City Park cedar fence build and repair. 3. Replacing freeze damaged plants at HGB I entrance and City Park gardens. 4. HGB I and II Greenbelt trails, cut down Feb. storm damage and trim low limbs on oaks. 5. HGB II Greenbelt repair trail erosion.	These ladies added a touch of color to the Butterfly Garden. Photo by Kathleen Christensen.
Upcoming Events Jan. workday Sat. Jan. 8th. General membership meeting is being planned for Jan. 24, 2022 at the LAC. Guest speaker is Mayor Tom Kilgore speaking on the future of Lakeway's Parks and Trails. Feb. Board meeting Monday, Feb. 7th Jan. workday Sat. Jan. 8th. 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 Parks of Lakeway" located in Lakeway, TX and click on the Select button. Family membership dues for 2022, pay by mail, click here or pay in person at our workday, contact our Treasurer Sondra Morton. FOP encourages you to purchase an annual family membership for the Lakeway Activity Center, it helps FOP retain access to the meeting rooms at LAC plus providing you with discounts at LAC events.