Click here to download a pdf of the race results (pdf)

Construction of Snyder's Union begins

Construction on Snyder's Union, a $1.5 million plaza on the Katy Trail overlooking Lee Park and its beautiful fountain, began early this week. As you move through this section of Katy Trail between Lemmon and Hall over the next five months, you will notice several changes:

The main trail will be removed and a temporary trail will be built to move you around the construction zone. Fences will be installed to keep you from running, biking or skating into the construction zone Scrub brush will be removed from the hillside between the Turtle Creek pond in Lee Park and the Katy Trail Construction crews will establish a staging area at the bottom of the hill between the pond and the Trail Signs will be posted with a rendering of the finished product as well as donors who helped make it possible

Thanks to Bobbi & Dick Snyder, who donated more than $1 million for this project, and all the many supporters who stepped up to help meet their challenge grant.

If you have questions about the construction project, please call the Friends of the Katy Trail at 214-303-1180.

You can always check the Construction page of this website and our Blog for up-to-the-minute updates on construction. Sign up for our Twitter feed for even more updates and information.

Tips for Your Dogs in Hot Weather

After two weeks of 90 degree plus temperatures, it seems as if we’re already into the warmest part of our summer. Because it is our belief that North Texas is closer to the sun than any other place in the United States, we need to be mindful of the stress and strain warm weather can put on our furry friends who love and use the Katy Trail as much as we do. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind:

• The right time for a walk, run or playtime is in the cool of the early morning or late evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.
• When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog stand on the running trail, which is probably hotter than the concrete trail. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.
• Heat exhaustion is often caused by over-exercising or running with a dog during hot weather. Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion can result in brain damage, heart failure or even death in a short period of time. Short muzzled and thick-coated breeds and mixes are particularly vulnerable, although any breed may be at risk.
• Always bring cool water along when walking, running or hiking with your dog during hot weather. To cool off an overheated dog, offer him or her plenty of water, then wet the dog's body and paws with cool water and then fan.
• Something to be especially aware of is the humidity level. When it’s warm, we are able to sweat and cool ourselves; our furry best friends on the other hand can only sweat around their paws. So in order to cool themselves down, dogs pant. When the air moves through their air waves picking up excess heat, upon departure from their mouth the heat leaves their body. Although this is a very effective way for animals to cool themselves, this is very limited in confined area or in humid weather. So if it is necessary to walk your dog on humid days, make sure to pay extra attention to your furry friends.

Selective Clearing to Begin

Selective clearing has begun in the section of Katy Trail property just off the running path between the bridges over Harry Hines and McKinnon, about a half mile from the Trail's south end. The intent is to see what's behind all the scrub brush and overgrown weeds. If there is ample space, the hope is to build a wood deck in this area that could be serviced by a restaurant.

Imagine using the Katy Trail in the morning and stopping in this area for your daily cup of coffee or morning tea. Or imagine grabbing a bottled water and a sandwich here on a lazy afternoon. Who knows, you might be able to return at night for a beer or a glass of wine. Wouldn't that be nice?

Who You Callin’ Hardheaded?

You probably heard it a million times from your mom when you were growing up. You’re running out the door late for school when she yells, “Don’t for get your brain bucket.”

OK, maybe not. She probably reminded you to take your lunch, or homework, or little brother. But if you were riding a bike to school, you should have taken along your brain bucket - aka your bike helmet.

Fast forward to, well, today, and you don’t have your mom to nag you anymore. But you do have the City of Dallas. In fact, you have City Code Chapter 8, Section 9.8 to be exact. This is Dallas’ helmet law, and it’s one you should probably follow.

Why? Here are a few reasons:

• According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, about 540,000 bicyclists visit emergency rooms with injuries every year. Of those, about 67,000 have head injuries.
• Non-helmeted riders are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders.
• Two-thirds of cyclists' deaths are from traumatic brain injury.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation says that 95 percent of bicyclists killed in 2006 reportedly weren't wearing a helmet.
• The Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends that cyclists, particularly children, wear a helmet when riding.
• Estimates on cyclists’ brain injuries that can be prevented by wearing a helmet range anywhere from 45 to 88 percent.

If that’s not enough for you, how about getting a ticket? Word on the street is that the DPD bicycle officers are ticketing people who aren’t wearing their helmets while riding a bike.

There are two exemptions to wearing a helmet while riding a bike in Dallas. They are:

1. Your head is harder than concrete.
2. You can’t be seen anywhere with helmet hair because your ego is more fragile than your skull.

So wear a helmet. It’s safe, it’s smart, and it’s the law.

For other City of Dallas rules for using trails and parks, check out their “Share the Trail” flyer by clicking here.

What's Up With the Lights?

A quickie guide to the lights on the Katy Trail.

• The lights turn on every morning at 5 a.m. and turn off at sunrise. They come back on at sunset and, as of June 1, are on until 10 p.m.



• Starting on July 1 the lights will stay on until 11 p.m. They will remain like that until the fall, when they start cutting back until their winter shut-off time of 9 p.m.



• The lights are controlled by five timers located throughout the trail. These timers are quite sensitive, so it is possible that certain sections may turn on or off 5-15 minutes before or after their adjacent section does. Every effort has been made to keep the lights in sync as much as possible.



• There are approximately half a dozen lights that are currently not working. All the lighting is under a one-year warranty that started at the beginning of this year. The contractor who installed the lights will be making repairs and troubleshooting throughout the summer.



• There are 145 lights on the Katy Trail. The electricity is paid for by membership contributions to the Friends of the Katy Trail. If you are not a member, but enjoy using the Katy Trail in the early morning or after dark, please consider doing you part to help pay for the light by becoming a member of the Friends of the Katy Trail.

For additional information on the lighting, check out our Trail Tips section. You can also call 214-303-1180 or Ask KT any question you'd like.

Dedo's Place Construction Update

Sandblasting Done at Dedo's Place

Construction at Dedo's Place, the plaza near the north end of the Katy Trail, is in high gear. On June 16, sandblasting took place to give the colored concrete a rougher texture, perfect for skates and bikes to be able to hug the surface. All of the stonework was completed last week. Next up landscaping. Expect to see that work begin by July 4 and conclude by the end of the month. The entire project, generously funded by Dedo & Barron Kidd, with additional support from Sally Warren and Jeff Jackson, the Ben E. Keith Foundation, and Deedie & Rusty Rose, should be done by the end of the summer.

Click here to view a slide show on our construction page.

You Asked, KT Answered

You asked some excellent questions in our recent online survey. We passed them on to KT, our expert on everything Trail-related. Click here to see KT's answers.

Each week we will pass on 10 more answers from KT to questions you posed. So check back every Monday.

Help Keep the Trail Safe

Want to keep the Trail safe? You can make a difference by joining other volunteers as a VIP. We need your help to get our Volunteers in Patrol program going. You can sign up by emailing DPD Sgt. Dennis Craig at dennis.craig@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us.

Wondering what a VIP is? Check it out:

  · VIPs use their eyes and ears on the Katy Trail. You'll carry mobile phones to dial 911 when there is an incident needing reporting.

  · VIPs are stylin' in a cool vest featuring Volunteers in Patrol, Dallas Police Department, and Katy Trail logos while on the Trail.

  · VIPs get special training by DPD and get to see the 911 call center.

We need at least a dozen trained VIPs to launch our program, so please email Sgt. Craig today.

Want more information about safety on the Trail? Click here to see the map of 911 sign locations on the Trail

Sign Up for The Katy Trail e-Newsletter Today!

The Friends of the Katy Trail relies on membership contributions to keep the Katy Trail clean, safe and beautiful. Please click here to join today.

For more information about safety and the latest Trail information, click here to check out our blog