The Trail Foundation
Board of Directors |
Bill Kerr, President
Kelly Hart and Hallman
Colin Wallis, Vice Pres.
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Jack Collins, Treasurer
Frost Bank
Brian Ott, Secretary
TBG Partners
Dave Andreas
Silicon Laboratories
Bill Curra, P.E.
Blue Ocean Energy
Lynn Currie
Mercury Mambo
Shirley Domicoli
PureAustin
Mike Elhaj
Simple Power
Asher Flynn
Asher Flynn Realtors
Lisa E. Huddleson
LEH Philanthropy Advisors
Peter Huff
Blue Sage Capital
Christopher Kennedy
LCRA
Jon Levy
PlainsCapital Bank
John Loudamy
Demand Media
Sarah Russ
Communications Consultant
Steve Saunders
Saunders, Norval, Nichols & Atkins, L.L.P
Stephanie Shoemaker
Maxwell Locke & Ritter
Margot K. Thomas
Community Activist
Jesse Weiss
Greenberg Traurig
Bob Wynn
Oxford Commercial
Susan Plettman Rankin, Executive Director
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Join Our List
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Excitement Mounted on the Trail
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Have you been wondering what those horses are doing on the Trail and in other parks? We asked Lt. Todd Smith with the Parks and Lake Patrol of the Austin Police Department (APD) why we sometimes see mounted officers out and about.
 TTF: Why did the APD introduce horses to the Trail?
SMITH: We introduced the Mounted Patrol unit to the Trail in the middle of last year. Since then, they have cleared out numerous homeless camps that have been concealed from view, and are able to get through very thick vegetation and terrain where foot/bike officers are unable to access. Our horses are accustomed to huge crowds and interact frequently with humans, dogs, bikes, etc. It has been a welcome treat for not only the horses, but also the officers to spend time patrolling the parks. Our horses train 40 hours a week with an experienced police officer in the saddle and aren't easily spooked. Our officers take care to keep safety a top priority and remove any "deposits" the horses make from the Trail when they see it.
We've really enjoyed the positive responses from the folks on the Trail when they see us. Our horses love having their pictures taken!
TTF: What's your favorite Trail memory?
SMITH: Two years ago, I was running eastbound from the footbridge below Barton Springs. I don't run with an iPod or any other music player. I like to hear the sounds of nature and really let my mind wander. I looked to my left and saw an osprey with a huge carp in its talons. The osprey was struggling to stay in flight because the fish was so big. I wanted to point it out to everyone around me, but every person I saw was either talking on the phone, wearing an iPod, or looking down. I realized that this was a special moment and I wanted it to be just for me. Since then, I'm always looking (OK, searching) for the great wildlife that crawls or flies through our great downtown area. I've seen a juvenile bald eagle, red tailed hawks, kingfishers, many snakes...the list goes on and on.
TTF: Todd, thanks for making sure our Trail is safe!
Read the full interview and learn more about this fourth generation Austinite and how APD is making our parks safer.
Photo: Four mounted officers pose at the SRV statue on the Trail.
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Make the Boardwalk Part of the Strategic Mobility Plan
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As many Trail users know all too well, there is gap in the Trail on the south side of the Lake on both sides of I-35, roughly 1.1-miles total. Along this gap, users must traverse sidewalks and cross multiple lanes of I-35 access roads to travel the entire 10.1-mile loop for transportation or recreation.
There are 2 ways Trail enthusiasts can help this week to assure that the Boardwalk is part of all City transportation planning and projects:
1. Simply go online to the City survey and state that the Boardwalk is a critical piece of transportation infrastructure needed at the intersection of I-35 and Riverside Drive.
2. Attend this week's Strategic Mobility Plan public meetings listed online.
With your support, we can make the Riverside Boardwalk a reality!
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Lady Bird Lake Cleanup: This Weekend!
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Tired of winter weather and being cooped up indoors? Get out and help keep The Trail Clean! But hurry - the next Lady Bird Lake Cleanup is THIS WEEKEND, February 13. Volunteer slots are still available! Register today or learn more about this program brought to you by The Trail Foundation, Watershed Protection Development Review and Keep Austin Beautiful.
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Life Is Great on the "Pape Trail"
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The Pape Foundation, a local family foundation, is a long-time supporter of TTF that recently became a sponsor of the upcoming Johnson Creek Trailhead project. We sat down with Mark Pape to ask him why the Trail means so much to his family and to learn why they support our Trail enhancements.
 TTF: What's your favorite spot or route on the Trail?
PAPE: It's tough to pick only one. I like the area of the Trail between Barton Creek and MoPac because of the enormous bald cypress trees and also the area on the north side between the I-35 and Longhorn dam. That stretch is usually not crowded, is scenic and offers some good views of the larger end of the lake.
TTF: How long have you been using the Trail? Do you remember how you first learned about it?
PAPE: I have been using the trail since 1979 when I stumbled upon it while on a Sunday bike ride my first year at UT. I have run, walked, pushed strollers and [cycled] on it since then.
TTF: As a long time TTF supporter, what would you say to others who are considering supporting TTF or the Johnson Creek Trailhead?
PAPE: To steal a slogan from Nike, "Just Do It." TTF is a great organization founded and run by Austinites who care enough to give their time and treasure to maintain and enhance this jewel. There are few, if any, places like the Trail in Texas. TTF has done a great job of leveraging private and public funds to improve the trail, but there is still so much to do.
TTF: Mark, thanks so much for your support and for sharing your story.
Click to read the full interview. Learn more about the Johnson Creek Trailhead project, or donate securely online.
Photo: Specimen bald cypress trees at the Trail
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Be Part of the Trail's Future: Join Us March 6 for Planting
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 The Trail Foundation is seeking volunteers to help us plant native perennial flowers on Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 9 - 11am as part of Austin Parks Foundation's "It's My Park Day." Have some fun while giving back to the Trail; dust off your shovels and workgloves and join us!
To preregister for the limited spots and get information about the work morning, please email us.
Photo: Rock rose will be one of the perennials we will plan on March 6th.
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Signs of the Times:
New Garden Adoption Signs on the Trail
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Keep a look out for the newest Trail addition - Garden Adoption Signs! TTF will be installing signs in February at each of the 33 adopted gardens at the Trail, part of the Lady Bird Johnson Adopt-a-Garden Program.
Our dedicated garden volunteers spent countless hours tending their beautiful gardens. These signs are a small token of our deep appreciation to celebrate their wonderful work. The next time you see a volunteer taking care of a Trail garden, be sure to share your thanks for all that they do!
There are only three gardens currently available for adoption at Butler Shores, Holly Overlook and South Pfluger! Email us if you are interested in becoming a garden adopter or learn more about our Adopt-a-Garden program here.
Sample image of new garden adoption sign.
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Browse the Web for TTF
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Looking for more ways to support TTF? We have two new exciting ways to raise funds for TTF with only the click of your mouse!
 GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo!-powered search engine that donates to a charity of your choice each time you perform an Internet search (about a penny per search). Use GoodSearch just as you would any search engine. All you need to do is designate "The Trail Foundation" as your preferred charity and start searching! You may also download the GoodSearch Toolbar for even easier searching.
GoodShop.com is an online shopping mall which donates up to 30 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Support TTF while you shop online. | |
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The Trail Foundation
PO Box 5195 l Austin, TX 78763 l 512-733-3989
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