Home Page for Friends of the Parks

March Workday Announcement
Howdy All, Our March workday is this Saturday February 11th. We will meet at the parking lot by the City Park Pavilion at 8AM and split into a few groups from there. Activities include: hauling tree limbs, removing invasive trees and/or shrubs (ligustrum and nandina), a new butterfly garden soil preparation at the entrance to Hamilton Greenbelt main entrance and ..... more hauling of tree limbs. Lunch will be fried chicken, sides and desserts!	One of the limb hauling groups working in City Park. Photo by Dar Moneyhon. Volunteers gather at parking lot at 8AM. Photo by Jim Dunn.
Upcoming Events Mar. workday Sat. 3/11 starting at 8AM. Mar. hike Sun. 3/12 starting at 1PM. Registration required, see below article. Apr. Board meeting Monday 4/3 at 6:30PM. Apr. workday Sat. 4/8 starting at 8AM. We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks Family membership dues for 2023, 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.

March Hike

We're currently booked for a group hike on Sunday March 12th at 1PM at the Balcones Canyonland Preserve land off Ladera Blvd. This is the land across 620 from the Bee Cave Home Depot and Target. The group will follow a nature trail through BCP lands towards Lake Austin. There is a steep descent, from the Reicher Headquarters to Lake Austin, of 350 feet (but the group could stop at 250 feet), then a hike back up. The return hike is often up an abandoned road, which is also very steep, but it has an asphalt surface, for good footing. The entire loop is either 0.7 mile or 1 mile, depending upon whether the group goes all the way to Lake Austin. The hike will take between 2 to 3 hours. There is limited availability for this hike, so please let us know if you're interested so we can get you on the list.

Please register with Carol at carolmlinn@outlook.com .

Annual Meeting Rescheduled. FoP Annual Meeting - Monday February 27th at 6PM!!!
Fifty five people attended our annual meeting, they enjoyed great BBQ and desserts, held the annual business meeting and listened to Richard Lean and Andra Bennett. Photos posted on our Facebook account and will be posted on this website soon.
We'd like to announce that our annual meeting will be happening on Monday February 27th at the Lakeway Activity Center. Doors will open at 6PM, dinner will be served around 6:30, and presentation/speakers will start at approximately 7PM. The speaker for this year's event is Lakeway's new city forester Richard Leon. Come meet him and hear what he has to say about Lakeway's trees and other flora and his plans for their future. Lakeway's Parks and Rec director Andra Bennett will also be speaking at the event. She will present the updated parks re-imagining master plan and answer questions on the subject. For those that aren't familiar with the plan, it represents some significant potential changes (for the better) for Lakeway's many parks and recreational facilities. This event is open to both members and non-members so even if you're not a member and/or have never volunteered with us, you're still invited. Come out and meet the group and hear about what we do and maybe even join us! Due to cost increases with the BBQ dinner, we're asking a $10/plate contribution ($20 for non-members but we're sure you'll want to join). Annual family membership is $20. Both annual membership and BBQ plates can be purchased at the door. Please re-RSVP with Carol at carolmlinn@outlook.com . Event is Monday - 2/27th - doors open at 6PM at the Lakeway Activity Center. ~Lakeway FoP	Mayor Kilgore was the guest speaker at our 2022 annual meeting. Photo by Jim Dunn.

February 2023 Summary of events! Ice Storm Workday announcement Annual meeting 2/27 Guide hike 3/12 Bird blind vandalism again AmazonSmile going away
Howdy All, Hope everyone has made it through the recent freeze with as little damage and lost power as possible. That event has certainly provided us with lots to do this upcoming workday. Our February workday is this Saturday February 11th. We will meet at City Park pavilion at 8am and split into a few groups from there. Activities include: hauling tree limbs, purple martin house prep, hauling tree limbs, removing a split rail fence, hauling tree limbs, some garden bed prep, and ..... more hauling of tree limbs. Lunch will be Brats, potato salad, and desserts! The annual meeting is now rescheduled for Monday February 27th!!! Please re-RSVP with Carol(carolmlinn@outlook.com )!! The event will be at the same time and place, the only real change is the date. We're currently booked for a group hike on Sunday March 12th at 1pm at the Balcones Canyonland Preserve land off Ladera Blvd. This is the land across 620 from the Bee Cave Home Depot and Target. The group will follow a nature trail through BCP lands towards Lake Austin. There is a steep descent, from the Reicher Headquarters to Lake Austin, of 350 feet (but the group could stop at 250 feet), then a hike back up. The return hike is often up an abandoned road, which is also very steep, but it has an asphalt surface, for good footing. The entire loop is either 0.7 mile or 1 mile, depending upon whether the group goes all the way to Lake Austin. The hike will take between 2 to 3 hours. There is limited availability for this hike, so please let us know if you're interested so we can get you on the list. Looking forward to seeing everyone at all these upcoming events!!! The bad news ... The bird blind was once again vandalized. Someone smashed all the bird feeders again and took the game cam down and smashed it as well. It looks like they smashed the cam with the explicit goal of getting to the SD card which was removed. It was once again obvious that the damage was not storm related. The estimated damage was about $500 between the bird feeders and game cam. There will probably also be some effort needed to restring the pulley system which had been cut. The good news is that Hill Country Birds is repairing the damaged bird feeders free of charge. More bad news ... The Amazon Smile program to send 0.5% of your purchase to your favorite charity (i.e. FOP) is being discontinued by Amazon. This is scheduled to occur this February. ~FoP	Early Feb. ice storm damage on HGB I. Photo by Jim Dunn.
Upcoming Events Feb. workday Sat. 2/11 starting at 8AM. Annual membership meeting/dinner Mon. 2/27 starting at 6PM. Please RSVP Carol Mar. Board meeting Monday 3/6 at 6:30PM. Mar. workday Sat. 3/11 starting at 8AM. Mar. hike Sun. 3/12 starting at 1PM. Registration required We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks THIS IS THE LAST MONTH Amazon Smile will be donating 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 2023, 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. Our long time sponsor/partner for the Bird Blind and the Purple Martin houses has a name change. they are now known as Hill Country Birds. Only the name and email contact information have changed; ownership, address, and phone numbers remain the same. Laura Hopkins, Owner Hill Country Birds 2127 Lohmans Crossing, Suite 316 Lakeway, TX 78734 P: 512.351.8213 C: 512.799.7256 www.hillcountrybirds.com (work in progress) laura@hillcountrybirds.com

January 2023
Workday Report : The workday was well attended and many invasive species plants were removed in the HGB II area. January Workday photos are here. B.J. Livingston, Allison Winchester, and Sondra Morton pulled weeds and trimmed lantana in the Barnes, Butterfly, and HGB gardens for about 1.5 hrs and then B.J. and Sondra joined those that were cutting down Nandina in HGB II for the rest of the morning. submitted by Sondra Morton Jim Dunn and Kim Moyer went the the Bisset Trailhead and trimmed a few cedar branches over the trail and cleared some dead grass near the George Ferrie memorial swing. We then joined the group at HGB II (using the Clubhouse trailhead) to assist in removing nandina and ligustrum. Ligustrum limbs and nandina berries where hauled up the hill to the trailer parked on Clubhouse. submitted by Jim Dunn The Waite Family, Shawn and Victoria with daughters Preslee and Kaylee along with other members of the crew worked at trimming, mowing and brush removal at the south end of City Park. Kaylee and Preslee brought brought bags and picked up trash along the way. The other members of the crew were Bill Freas, Elmer Tyler, Dave Cross, Lorraine Tallent and Bernie Reding. That end of the park is looking nicer. The trimming will also allow City mowers to cover a larger area. submitted by Bernie Reding Lunch was pizza and salad, fruits and desserts from the food committee.	The Waite family worked at the south end of City Park. Photo by Bernie Reding.
Workday announcement : January Workday will be Saturday, 1/14 starting at 8AM. Howdy All, As usual, we will meet at the City Park pavilion at 8AM before splitting into work groups. Temperatures should be quite pleasant, so just need to bring some water and gloves and closed toe shoes. Projects for this workday include the following: o City Park - Light trimming around the Wildflower Meadow. - Removal of a few cedar rails near the pavilion. - Any work necessary to finish the irrigation project at the Barnes Garden o Hamilton Greenbelt - invasive species removal in the primitive area (mostly nandina and ligustrum) - potentially removing a downed piece of tree near the Squires Trailhead - potentially doing some light trail maintenance o Canyonlands - cleaning up of Bissett Trailhead Lunch this week is pizza and sides!!!! Thanks lunch crew! Hope to see everyone there! ~ FoP	Volunteers who raked mulch at City Park on the December workday.
Upcoming Events Jan. workday Sat. 11/14 starting at 8AM. Annual Membership meeting Monday, January 30th. Details to be announced soon. Feb. Board meeting Monday 2/6 at 6:30PM. Feb. workday Sat. 2/11 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 2023, 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. Renew here.

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 Sondra Morton 713-870-5462 or email Skmgran@gmail.com.

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.

April Workday Announcement
Workday details will be posted by Wed. 4/5.	One of the limb hauling groups working in City Park. Photo by Dar Moneyhon. Volunteers gather at parking lot at 8AM. Photo by Jim Dunn.
Upcoming Events Apr. Board meeting Monday 4/3 at 6:30PM. Apr. workday Sat. 4/8 starting at 8AM. We have a Facebook page being administered by Dan Moyer Lakeway Friends of the Parks Family membership dues for 2023, 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.

News Apr Board meeting will be 4/3 at 6PM. Apr workday will be 4/8 at 8AM. details here. Mar workday was held 3/11. details here. March hike in BCP was held 3/12. details here. Annual meeting was held 2/27. details here. Jan workday was 1/14 at 8AM. details here. Renew your membership for 2023, click here !!! Contact FOP Treasurer Sondra Morton 713-870-5462 or email Skmgran@gmail.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 Rough Hollow Trails Map Apr 2018 (pdf). Lakeway Weather Forecast

Lakeway, Texas

March Hike

Annual Meeting Rescheduled.

February 2023

January 2023

Trail Maps for the Parks of Lakeway