Spring is near

That means that crews will be on the Katy Trail fertilizing to help promote healthy growth on the trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers. The Katy Trail uses organic fertilization methods, which employ ingredients that are a bit fragrant (to put it politely). So if you smell something a little odd on the Trail during the next week or so, just know that it's nature at work getting ready for spring blooms and leaves.

New entrances open on Katy Trail

Two new entrances to the Katy Trail are now open. The recently completed Beasley Entrance at Hall Street is a sweeping staircase that allows walkers and runners convenient access to the Trail, instead of the scrambling up a hill as before. The lushly landscaped entrance is a gift from the Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation.

The Tao of Warren is on the west side of the Trail at Armstrong Boulevard and was dedicated on Jan. 1. It is a dual staircase flanking a round seating wall and plaza. Sarah and Jim Hutcheson with their son Nathan made the naming gift in the memory of their son Warren, who was killed at 19 in a car accident.

During 2009, Friends of the Katy Trail initiated construction on five new entrances called for in the Friends of the Katy Trail Master Plan. These projects cost a total of $2.1 million in private funds that the Friends raised.

Friends of Katy Trail elects officers, new board members

Friends of the Katy Trail board of directors recently elected its 2010 officers and six new board members.

The officers:
Chairman Philip Henderson
President Matt Lucas
Vice President Beth Huddleston
Treasurer David Demarest
Secretary Pat Snoots

The new board members are Jayson Bales, Charles Chen, Sherri Conger, Greg Rohan, Joni Rose and Tommy Tucker.

Also, the David Stocks Award was given to Keith Nix. The award is given annually to one board member in recognition of outstanding work for the Katy Trail.

Construction Updates

Snyder's Union opens on Katy Trail

Welcome the newest addition to the Katy Trail - Snyder's Union. This beautiful entry plaza and overlook is now open on the Trail at Carlisle Place close to Lemmon Avenue. It features a circular granite seating area covered by a dramatic trellis. A round glass viewing area juts out from the plaza providing a bird's eye view of Lee Park below. Completing the design is lush landscaping around Snyder's Union.

This project wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of Bobbi and Dick Snyder, who gave the lead gift for its construction to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Other donors were instrumental in the building of Snyder's Union. Additional major gifts were from the Constantin Foundation, Lyda Hill, Simmons Foundation, Catherine & Will Rose, Ralph W. Canada Jr., Hillcrest Foundation, Jordan Family Foundation, Brooke & Frank Aldridge, Ben E. Keith Foundation, Nancy & Tim Hanley, Rick Snyder, Randall Van Wolfswinkel, Cissy & Plack Carr, Patty & Andy Smith, Horace C. Cabe Foundation, Sally Warren & Jeff Jackson, Stacey & Arnold Verbeek, Charles B. Goddard Foundation, Phil and Marsha Sheets, and numerous Friends of the Katy Trail.

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