Winfrey Point: Don’t Pave Paradise, And Put Up a Parking Lot!

The dispute between the Dallas City Council and White Rock Lake residents and supporters continues. The furor arose as a result of the City Council allowing the Dallas Arboretum to park cars at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake, an area that contains several acres of protected Blackland Prairie grasses. Winfrey Point is part of a very unique and endangered ecosystem that is home to rare birds, plants and many animals. 

 Supporters of Save Winfrey Point gather to protest

This morning, a judge ruled against the defendants preventing them from constructing any permanent structures, but he did allow temporary parking at Winfrey Point and mowing of the area.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION!

You can click here to watch one of the TV news reports, and click here for Channel 5 NBC.

 A protestor makes her point - Save Winfrey Point!

Save Winfrey Point immediately arranged a protest and concerned residents and supporters gathered at Winfrey Point, as well as TV news crews and reporters. 

 The press converged on Councilman Sheffie Kadane upon
his arrival at the Winfrey Point protest

Sheffie Kadane, councilman for the area, arrived to address the gathering. He immediately assured concerned protestors that no mowing would take place this weekend, and that the Arboretum would not be parking cars in the area this weekend (the Chihuly exhibition starts this weekend). Kadane said he would do everything in his power to prevent the parking lot proposal going forward. The crowd was skeptical, but Councilman Kadane seemed sincere in his remarks.

 Councilman Sheffie Kadane (white shirt) addressing the gathering
at Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake, with Chris Herron.

Halfway through his address, one of the Save Winfrey Point supporters asked Mr. Kadane if he would wear a “Save Winfrey Point” t-shirt if he was given one. The councilman readily agreed, and sportingly squeezed into a t-shirt that was at least two sizes too small for him.

 Councilman Sheffie Kadane showing some solidarity with the
Save Winfrey Point supporters

 Ironically, the Dallas Little League erected the sign below at Winfrey Point.

 Do not pick wildflowers ... the city will mow them for you!

The supporters of Save Winfrey Point will be protesting outside the Dallas Arboretum tomorrow.

Hopefully, they will have the support of a portable stereo blaring out the more familiar cover version of Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows.

             Don't it always seem to go
          That you don't know what you've got
          'Til it's gone
          They paved paradise
          And put up a parking lot