Lakeway, Texas

News FOP Board meeting Mon. Feb. 6th 6:30 at LAC Annual business meeting was Thu. Jan. 26th Details here Jan workday was Sat. Jan. 14th Details here renew your 2012 membership, click here !!! Contact FOP President Bernie Reding 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)	Hamilton Greenbelt Trails Map Updated 12/30/2010 Canyonland Trails Map Updated Feb 2010 Lakeway Weather Forecast

Annual Membership Meeting Report The Friends of the Parks of Lakeway (FOP) held their annual business meeting on Thursday, January 26 at the Lakeway Activity Center. Over sixty members and guests were in attendance. The evening started with BBQ brisket, turkey and sausage followed by dessert. The meeting was called to order by President Bill Freas. Minutes of last year's meeting and a special fall meeting were approved. The treasurer's report was given and approved. Our biggest source of income is our annual Wilderness Run event held in April of each year. President Freas reviewed the volunteer activity of FOP during the 2011 calendar year which included work in City Park, Hamilton Greenbelt and the Canyonland Primitive area. Recognition was given to Dave Ferry and George Blume for outstanding support of FOP in 2011. Out-going board members Michael Smith and Jim Dunn were thanked for their years of service. Nominations for board officers were presented and the membership elected the following people to lead FOP during 2012 and 2013. President : Bernie Reding VP : George Blume Secretary : Ken Parmerter Treasurer : Jerry Cooper Upcoming events were announced including a tour of the Bamberger Ranch on March 15 and the 2012 Wilderness Run in April. Meeting was adjourned and the guest speaker Bill Reiner was introduced. Bill Reiner, who is a biologist on the staff of the Wildland Conservation Division of the Austin Utility Water District, gave a presentation on the south west district of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve. This is the district where Bill is currently assigned and the headquarters is the Reicher Ranch located north of Highway 620 between the cities of Lakeway and Bee Caves. He talked about the history of the Reicher Ranch which was founded by and named after Bishop Louis Joseph Reicher. Next he proceeded to give an overview of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve in Travis County. We listened to his description of the golden-cheek wabler and how it depends on a closed canopy forest of a mixture of ashe juniper and various oaks for protection and attracting the various insects that the warbler feeds on. The black-capped Vireo and several small cave dwelling insects on the endangered species lists that inhabit the Balcones Canyonland and surrounding areas were discussed. Various volunteer activity within the Balcones Canyonland Preserve were described. Finally the role of larger mammals, birds and insects was detailed, including the warning that the mating season of skunks starts in February. submitted by Jim Dunn Notice of Annual Membership Meeting AUSTIN BIOLOGIST WILL SPEAK TO LAKEWAY FRIENDS OF THE PARKS All Lakeway residents and interested folks are cordially invited to attend the annual membership meeting of Lakeway Friends of the Parks on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the Lakeway Activity Center. Registration begins at 6:15 PM. A BBQ dinner will be served at 6:30 PM followed by a business meeting and speaker at 7:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public and the BBQ dinner will be free for all paid members. Family membership dues are $15 per year and may be paid at the door. Non-members and guests fees are $10 per person. Please make reservations by noon on Monday, January 23 via email to Cindy Berdan at cpuglvr@gmail.com or by calling Cindy at 608-9244. Bill Reiner, a Biologist on the staff of the Wildland Conservation Division of the Austin Utility Water District, will be the featured speaker. He is a graduate of Ohio State University with a B.S. in Environmental Monitoring Assessment. He served on the staff as a biological technician at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge from 1999 to 2005. In addition, he writes for the Travis Audubon Society’s newsletter and leads tours and workshops at the refuge. His presentation will include information on the natural history (animal and plant) unique to this area and the historical Reicher Ranch. This is a great opportunity for the Lakeway community to learn more about our local habitat and the continuing efforts of the Lakeway Friends of the Parks. Membership is open to anyone interested in working with this dedicated volunteer group of men and women as they strive to maintain the parks and greenbelts in Lakeway. They build and maintain natural hike and bike trails, bridges and overlooks throughout the park system. Come and meet these folks and enjoy a wonderful evening of good food and an interesting program. Do consider membership in Lakeway Friends of the Parks for the whole family to support the efforts of this dedicated volunteer group! For additional membership information, contact Bernie Reding at 261-5633 or visit our website at www.lakefop.org .

January Newsletter We briefly gathered at City Park for directions on various work projects around the city of Lakeway. Most of the volunteers headed toward the Canyonlands area. The work there involved a "barn-raising", trail building, trail trimming and a cactus garden cleanup. Several volunteers went to the Smith Greenbelt. We all returned to the Pavilon for a well deserved hot bowl of chili at noon. Workday photos here.	Upcoming Events TODAY Jan. 26 - FOP Annual Business Meeting starting at 6:30 at Lakeway Activity Center Feb. 6 - FOP Board Meeting at LAC at 6:30PM Feb. 11 - Workday Mar. 15 - Bamberger Ranch tour for FOP members April - Wilderness Run event Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.
Canyonlands Primitive Area Bill Freas, Marty Berdan and Dennis Brown trimmed cedars and bushes along the Canyonlands access trail from the kiosk to the descent trail. Submitted by Bill Freas Clare Freas, Gloria, Mireille, Caroline and Cindy worked on the cactus garden in The Canyonlands. We removed older landscape material and did some weeding. Still plenty of work to be done! A special treat was having a Hudson Bend student helping us through the morning. Submitted by Cindy Berdan
Smith Greenbelt and back to City Park Mike and Mason Ard and Jim Dunn took the concrete bridge form to the Smith Greenbelt and made preliminary measurements at the bridge site. The existing railroad tie bridge is in need of replacement but will remain in use until the new concrete bridge is completed in Feb. The form was returned the FOP shed at City Park after some minor alterations. Then the three of us patrolled the trails at City Park removing a few cedar limbs and stumps and saplings. Submitted by Jim Dunn
Mt. Lakeway Trail Ken's trail report Saturday January 1st - Special Workday The following volunteers focused on trail improvements to the existing Mt Lakeway trail. One team worked on improving a steep descent while another worked on re-routing an uphill switchback. The 3rd group scouted and performed initial flagging for the next section of trail leading up to the base of the mountain in the Mt. Lakeway trails. All three teams are to be commended for volunteering on New Years day for the betterment of the trail systems. In addition to the original volunteer group were four additional riders who we found on the trail and who also jumped in to assist in our trail improvement efforts. And a special thanks to Sunny Heath (Kelly’s new pup) who served admirably as our scout and field supervisor. Volunteers : Curtis Maly, Jamie McVaney, George Blume, Scot Pemberton, Talon Pemberton, Graham Spencer, Sunny Heath (Mascot), Kelly Heath, Michael Smith, Doug Lange, Chris Parmerter and Ken Parmerter Riders (on the trail who stopped to help): Hogan Aydam, Bill Aydam, Tor Lundstrom and Kevin Lally Saturday January 14th - FOP Regular Workday Volunteers focused primarily on improvements to the so called 1st Gulch on the Mt Lakeway Trail. One team re-routed the entrance to the gulch. This was a major improvement to the previous entrance which was difficult to traverse safely. Workers also improved the turn at the base of the hill by widening its radius and made major improvements in the navigability of the outgoing switchbacks in this gulch. 45 minutes into the work session the Lakeway High School Mountain Bike Team lead by coach and FOP member Doug Lange and coach Scott Pemberton arrived to offer their help in our trail improvement effort. They volunteered their efforts for the remainder of our workday and then rode the trail out to finish their practice. The team assisted with re-routing and also trimming the length of the Mt Lakeway trail. It was invigorating to see how motivated and committed they were to working with the FOP team to participate in the trail building and maintenance process. Much appreciation to Doug and Scott for leading by example in trail stewardship. Volunteers : Michael Smith, Kelly Heath, Dar Mahoney, Tom Delaney, Bob Schaeffer and Ken Parmerter Lake Travis Mountain Bike Team: Coaches Doug Lange and Scott Pemberton plus six riders from the team. Special Thanks to Michael Smith for the great pics!!!! Submitted by Ken Parmerter
Canyonlands Shed Editor note : Work on the shed went on almost non-stop for several weeks, below is a day by day summary Thursday, January 12, Bernie Reding, Bob Sauerman, Bill Freas, Lamar Boling and George Blume worked 4-6 hours picking up wood and other materials for the construction of the shed. Additionally volunteers worked to pre-cut lumber for the shed construction on Saturday. Friday, January 13, Bernie Reding, Bob Sauerman, Bill Freas, Lamar Boling and George Blume worked 3-4 hours pre-assembling and staging lumber for the shed construction on Saturday. Saturday, January 14, Bernie Reding, Bob Sauerman, Bill Freas, Lamar Boling, George Ferrie, Ernest Altgelt, Tom Smith, Marty Berdan, Bruce and Hansen Harris, David and David Jr. Ferry, and Ken & Gloria Croswait (Exxon Volunteers) worked 4-7 hours constructing the frame for the shed. The framing for the shed is now complete and awaiting inspection by the City Inspector. Prior to the work January 12-14 Bernie Reding and George Blume spent countless hours planning out the construction details. In addition Bob Sauerman spent many hours procuring the nail gun and learning how to use the gun. Speaking for our Chairman and the rest of the Board of Directors, this Shed is very important to our long term plans involving new trails, bridges, and other structures in Lakeway Highlands. Everyone's help and long hours are greatly appreciated. Submitted by George Blume Wed 1/18 Bob Sauerman, Lamar Boling and George Blume worked 5 hours today correcting all the discrepancies found by the inspector. Fri 1/20 Great job today, we are down to the roof, trim work, soffits, caulking, and painting. We have come a long way. After tomorrow we will not be finished, but we can move in. Incredible!!! Sat 1/22 The following worked 4-8 hours on Friday January 20 and Saturday January 21 adding siding and roofing to the shed: Bernie Reding, Bill Freas, George Ferrie, David Ferry, Marty Berdan, Ken Parmerter, Bob Saurerman, Dave Deome, Dennis Brown, Bob Underwood, Lamar Bolling, Bob Schooler, Tom Smith, plus one Exxon Volunteer. Special Thanks to Ken Parmerter and Marty Berdan for working on top of the roof. Submitted by George Blume More workday photos here.
Lunch Picnic cooks were: Judy Hazen - Yankee chili & black bean chili; Ximena Sauerman - jalapeno cornbread; Donna Ferrie - cornbread muffins; Carlisle Pearson, Cindy Berdan, Clare Freas, Sterlene Bolling - desserts. Mike Ard provided coffee from Starbucks. Marty Berdan did the "grunt work" - hauling drinks & supplies. Thank you all - it is so much easier when everyone pitches in to bring something. Submitted by Judy Hazen Judy's recipes click here.

December Newsletter FOP volunteers and friends started off their Saturday, Dec. 10th at City Park. Groups of volunteers worked in City Park, Hamilton Greenbelt, Canyonlands and on the Mt. Lakeway trail. building. They all returned to City Park for lunch. Workday photos are here. Time to renew your membership for 2012 by clicking here.	Upcoming Events Jan. 9 - FOP Board Meeting at LAC at 6:30PM Jan. 14 - Workday City Park 8AM to 12 noon, more information to be emailed on Wed 11/11. Jan. 26 - FOP Annual Business Meeting Mar. 15 - Bamberger Ranch tour for FOP members  Visit the FOP website at www.lakewayfop.org for more information.
City Park Bill Freas, George Blume, Ed Lalone, Bobby Vance, Bob Sauerman, Dash Duran and George Ferrie worked in City Park raking and trimming along the upper Challenge trail and finished mulching the outer Challenge trail. George also moved some rock with the bobcat to the pavilion area for future use as erosion control. submitted by Bill Freas
Canyonlands Cindy Berdan, Jerry Cooper and Keri Heath starting cleaning out the weeds and grass in the cactus garden on the Canyon Lands Trail. submitted by Jerry Cooper and Cindy Berdan
Mt. Lakeway The following volunteers worked on the Mt Lakeway Trail. Jamie and Riley McVaney, Tom Shaeffer, Clift Richardson, Tom Delaney, Michael Smith, Ernest Altget, Tom Smith, Lamar Bolling and Dar Mahoney. The group successfully cut in both the descent and ascent trails for the 1st large gulch in the Mount Lakeway trail. The switchbacks out of the gulch were significantly improved and an additional 100 yards or so of the trail was groomed and trimmed beyond the aforementioned switchbacks. The team should be commended on the extraordinary amount of work that was completed on this section of trail during the workday. In addition to the aforementioned activities a number of volunteers also walked the trail backwards from the gulch. Fine tuning those sections for proper drainage and ensuring adequate clearances from low hanging branches, pesky rocks, etc. Also of note was an excellent focus on placing protective stones around the numerous smaller Madrone trees on and near the trail, ensuring that the community of trail users can enjoy these beautiful trees as they traverse the new trails. Many thanks to all who volunteered! submitted by Ken Parmerter On Mon. Dec. 26 a small group worked the Mt Lakeway trail in the afternoon. Michael Smith, Kelly Heath and Ken Parmerter spent a few hours enjoying the great outdoors and progressing the trail system. submitted by Ken Parmerter
Hamilton Greenbelt Marty Berdan, Bernie Reding and new FOP members Mike Ard and Mason Ard planted six bald cypress tree along flowing streams in Hamilton Greenbelt 2. The trees were supplied by the LCRA. submitted by Bernie Reding
Lunch Judy served hamburgers and beans for the lunch at City Park pavilion. Special thanks to Carlisle Pearson, Cindy and Marty Berdan for helping provide food, ice and cookies for workday picnic. submitted by Judy Hazen

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 261-5633 or email countyboy@aol.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.

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