Bricks at Lou Neff Point

Once there were footprints, now there are legacies.  More than 800 engraved bricks have been laid at Lou Neff Point.  We are thrilled to see them in the ground and appreciate all the positive feedback we've received. 

Orders placed on or before November 16, 2007 will be installed in January 2008.  Subsequent orders will be installed in batches of 250 to 300 bricks.

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And the Winners are...

Congratulations to this year's winning garden adopters.  We thank them for their faithful maintenance, well-chosen plants, and in some cases, for hanging tough in adversity.  The following participants in the Lady Bird Johnson Garden Adoption Program are the 2007 cream of the crop : 
  

Crenshaw planter gardens.  Adopted by the Great Outdoors Garden Center.  Kudos for a spectacular redesign.  Matt Welch of GO designed and installed the new garden, retaining the lovely Anacacho orchid trees, 'Caldwell Pink' roses and Texas mountain laurels the garden center installed two years ago.  Check out Matt's gardening blog at www.gonursery.com.

Lou Neff Point Below-the-Fountain garden.  Created by Lynn Smith, who has made a place of beauty in a former waste area, using an array of plants carefully chosen for both the dry and wet parts of the garden.

Pfluger Bridge North, eastern-most garden.  Adopted by the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association, which has created a stand-out garden with original design, interesting plants, and top-notch maintenance.

Pfluger Bridge South.  Adopted by the Prashner family, who nursed their well-maintained, lush garden back to health after a year-long breakdown of the irrigation system.

Possum Point.  Created by the Moossy family with well-chosen xeric plants and charming design.  Peter and Christy have hand watered their garden and managed to keep Bermuda grass at bay for several years now, both notable accomplishments.

Stratford Drive Bench Garden.  Adopted by Debra Watkins and her hardy crew, who all deserve high praise for creating an oasis of native plants in a difficult site, where every drop of water must be hand carried.

Central Texas Gardener on KLRU will feature the garden adoption program this month; first airing at noon Saturday, Nov. 17.  The 2008 garden adoption auction will take place on Saturday, February 2 at Zilker Botanical Garden center.  For information on how you can have a garden on the Trail, contact [email protected].

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Board Member Transitions

On November 1st, the Town Lake Trail Foundation was pleased to welcome four new members to our board.  All of these individuals have strong track records of success and have shown a commitment to Austin and to the Trail. Our newest board members are:  Brian Ott, ASLA, Principal, TBG Partners; Christopher Kennedy, Executive Manager of Corporate Services / CIO, Lower Colorado River Authority; Jack Collins, Market President, Frost Bank Westlake; Peter Huff, Managing Member and Co-Founder, Blue Sage Capital.

Even as new board members join us in leading TLTF, we take a moment to recognize and share our appreciation for the sacrifice, drive and passion of two departing members of our Founders Board.  Dan Garrison and Jeff Burrus each logged countless hours as board members to help get the organization started and then shape it into an award-winning and respected steward of the Trail we all love. 

Dan, who founded the organization, also served on the board with great dedication and passion as both Executive Director and Chairman.  Jeff was the organization's hardworking Treasurer, a project manager and an unbending advocate for doing the right thing for many years.  Their commitment to the Trail and their leadership on the TLTF board made the improvements we all enjoy today a reality.  While the October board meeting was their last, they will continue to look out for the best interests of the Trail and we will count on them for their unique wisdom and insights on how to make the Town Lake Trail the best it can be.  Gentlemen, we all thank you for your tremendous gift of time, talent AND treasure to the Town Lake Trail Foundation.

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Decker Challenge
Don't miss the 29th Annual Decker Challenge, 20K, Decker Two-Person Relay, and Double Decker 40K on December 2, 2007.  We are grateful to the Austin Runner's Club for proceeds from this race benefiting TLTF.  More information can be found at www.decker.austinrunners.org  To volunteer at the TLTF water stop at Decker Challenge, email [email protected]

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Trash and Treasure Cleanup

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Dell Direct Giving Campaign
Dell Employees - Don't forget that the Dell Direct Giving Campaign ends November 16th.  Dell will match your donation dollar for dollar up to $5000 per employee, so please take advantage of this generous program.  Just go to the Direct Giving site on the Dell Intranet and fill out a pledge form.

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Every Town Needs A Trail
TLTF Advisory Board Member Jen Ohlson has authored Every Town Needs a Trail.  The book contains some stunning photos and stories of the Town Lake Trail as told by some Austinites who love this special place.  Information about the book can be found at www.everytownneedsatrail.com.

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Volunteer Opportunities
November 17 - Gardening Workday, 9am - email [email protected].
December 2 - TLTF water stop at Decker Challenge - email [email protected]
Flexible time - We are looking for a detail-oriented volunteer to help us map the commemorative bricks at Lou Neff Point.  This map will help us keep track of placement as well as protect against vandalism.  We are looking for someone who can start helping as soon as possible - email  [email protected]
Flexible times and dates - Clean Roberta Crenshaw Pedestrian Bridge, group of 8-20, ideal for students needing community service hours - email [email protected]