Winfrey Point: New Documentation Reveals the True Purpose of the Dallas Arboretum’s Proposed Land Grab

Please click here and listen to this music while you read this blog

This blog is about nature, specifically the environment of White Rock Lake. However, when local politicians and business combine to deliberately mislead the public, it’s difficult to remain silent when it affects nature and the heritage of generations to come. 

Stunning wildflowers at Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake

You can read about the history of this ongoing saga by clicking here.

On May 9, 2012, the leadership of the Dallas Arboretum issued a press release that was phrased in such a manner as to make them look like the good guys. It stated that they had requested the local officials not to proceed with plans to mow Winfrey Point, a plan that the Arboretum leadership had hatched in the first place. The wording of this press release was intriguing:

“… any plans to temporarily park at Winfrey Point have resulted in serious misunderstandings …” Any plans? Why did they not simply say “the plans”? Why could the leadership of the Arboretum not have the courage to admit that they had made such plans?

From their last sentence in their press release, it is obvious that the current management of the Arboretum intends to continue with their plans for Winfrey Point. The last sentence reads: “It is our pledge to endeavor to make such planning transparent.”

And why could the leadership of the Arboretum not simply say: “It is our pledge to make such planning transparent”? Why did they include the word “endeavor”?

It is innuendo and legal-speak such as this that makes one question the bona fides of the Arboretum leadership.

The press release can be found here.  

The Dallas Arboretum posted a comment on their website this week, stating that it was a misconception that they planned to build a parking garage at Winfrey Point. The comment read: "The concept for a parking garage at Winfrey Point was never shown to the Arboretum, nor to the Park Board or city Council members ..” 

Really? 

The latest documentation uncovered by researcher, Hal Barker, has categorically revealed that the idea to turn Winfrey Point into a parking lot was first mooted by Mary Brinegar a couple of years ago. In a detailed email to Paul Dyer, Director Dallas Park and Recreation Department, dated August 8, 2010, Brinegar spells out her vision for Winfrey Point in detail. You can read her email by clicking here.

This was followed up by a presentation to Paul Dyer.

In a document prepared by the Arboretum entitled “Presentation to Paul Dyer and Willis Winters On Winfrey Point Use For The Dallas Arboretum”, it was revealed that one of the proposals (Proposal 5) presented by the Arboretum was to develop “the property into botanical gardens with three stories of parking underneath, accommodating over 4000cars. The model is Millennium Park in Chicago with most of the gardens above the parking facility. It allows those who are members to stop in to the garden for early breakfast or lunch while riding or walking around the lake and at the beginning or end of their ride. Winfrey Point is rebuilt in a circular structure with observation decks giving visitors the ability to see the developed gardens and the downtown vistas.”

So let’s understand this. 

1. The Arboretum wants Winfrey Point - prime real estate -  for nothing, depriving Dallasites free use of this spectacular location. 
2. The rate payers of Dallas foot the bill for much of the related expense.         
3.  If Dallasites wish to enjoy Winfrey Point in future they will have to pay for the privilege.  
4. Dallasites will be further deprived of their natural heritage. In its place will be beautifully contrived gardens and other facilities generating more revenue for the Arboretum.

So exactly how do the inhabitants of Dallas benefit from all of this? This smacks of a land grab - the Arboretum wins, Dallasites lose!

It would appear that the leadership of the Dallas Arboretum has lost their focus. They have become property developers at the expense of conserving nature.

As Gregory Bateson once said, "The major problems in the world are the result of the difference between how nature works and the way people think." Unfortunately, people are often driven by greed, and it is difficult to arrive at a different conclusion given the facts at our disposal.

After all the subterfuge surrounding Winfrey Point, maybe it’s time for heads to roll. 

And this is enough to make anyone gag. Mary Brinegar, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, signs off her emails with the following slogan: “Let Nature Nurture You.”

Seriously?

Based on the manner in which Brinegar has handled herself, we’re beginning to question whether she cares about nature at all. We now know that turning Winfrey Point into a parking lot was her idea in the first place, despite denials that she had no knowledge of what was going on.

To be precise, what Brinegar is advocating is to take a natural environment, a scarce resource, and turn it into a parking lot and other facilities that would generate revenue for the Arboretum. This is crass to say the least.

We have always supported the Dallas Arboretum. It is a wonderful place to get lost for a few hours. It saddens us that the leadership of the Arboretum would resort to these tactics in order to improve their bottom line. 

The latest documents discovered by Hal Barker leave a bad taste in our mouths, and reminds us of Mao Zedong’s slogan: "Man must conquer Nature." But one needs to heed the warning of legendary author, Fritz Schumacher, who once wrote, "man talks of a battle with Nature, forgetting that if he won the battle, he would find himself on the losing side."

Of course the Arboretum wants Winfrey Point. The land will add considerably to the asset value of the Dallas Arboretum. But Winfrey Point is more than an exceptional location with stunning views of the city. It contains several acres of protected Blackland Prairie grasses, it is covered in beautiful wildflowers, it is home to rare birds and many animals, and it supports all kinds of insect life, including spectacular butterflies.

A Monarch butterfly nectaring on a Texas Thistle at Winfrey Point

We doubt that the remake of the soap series Dallas could have a better storyline than this saga. Clearly, the battle to Save Winfrey Point is not over.

It would be appropriate to give the final word to a great Texan, President Lyndon B. Johnson, who upon signing the Wilderness Act, 1964, stated: “If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it."

Wise words, and all the more reason to Save Winfrey Point.

Winfrey Point: Arboretum asks for Mowing Plans to Stop

The Dallas Arboretum say they have asked that mowing plans for Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake, Dallas be stopped after the public expressed outrage over the approved measure last week, read a statement released this morning.

Winfrey Point: A Monarch butterfly visiting a Texas Thistle

The Arboretum say they have reached out to District 9 Park Board members to not proceed with the approved plans to mow down an area at Winfrey Point so that a parking area could be created.

"Over the past couple of weeks, the Arboretum has heard the opinions of its friends and neighbors and recognizes any plans to temporarily park at Winfrey Point have resulted in serious misunderstandings that need to be addressed," read the statement.

Here is the full release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Mary Brinegar
Chief Executive Officer & President
Dallas Arboretum

DALLAS (May 9, 2012)
- On Tuesday, May 8, the leadership of the Dallas Arboretum asked Paul Dyer, Dallas Park and Recreation Department director; Joan Walne, Dallas Park Board president; Councilman Sheffield Kadane, City Council District 9; and Gerry Worrall, District 9 Park Board not to proceed with current plans to mow the previously approved area at Winfrey Point. 

Over the past couple of weeks, the Arboretum has heard the opinions of its friends and neighbors and recognizes any plans to temporarily park at Winfrey Point have resulted in serious misunderstandings that need to be addressed. We are committed to being a good neighbor and steward to the citizens of East Dallas, the metroplex and all of North Texas.

We are looking forward to working with city officials and neighborhood associations in the immediate future to develop a plan that best serves the interest of all parties involved. It is our pledge to endeavor to make such planning transparent.

Thank you for your patience while we work to find a solution to the City's and our parking needs.

Well done to everyone involved with Save Winfrey Point. Your efforts have been noted and applauded!

At least for now, the wildflowers are safe and the butterflies can still dance at Winfrey Point.

 A swallowtail butterfly visiting a Texas Thistle at Winfrey Point

The Butterfly Effect and How it Applies to YOUR Life

While walking around White Rock Lake ingesting the natural beauty, it’s easy to become both intellectually stimulated and introspective at the same time. This time of year, the lake is flooded with magnificent butterflies going about their business, making a huge contribution to the well-being of mankind.

 Variegated Fritillary Butterfly visiting a Firewheel
Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake, Dallas

While bending down to examine some wildflowers, a butterfly flew by, its wing touching my cheek as it did so. This got me thinking about “The Butterfly Effect,” and how we are all affected by this theory.

In 1961 a meteorologist, Edward Lorenz, was entering data into his computer so that he could rerun a weather prediction. He needed to enter wind speed, air pressure and temperature into three separate equations. Since he was in a hurry, he decided to take a shortcut on a number in the sequence so he entered the decimal .506 instead of entering the full .506127.

Lorenz was a scientist and he knew this would change the result of the weather prediction, but he expected only a very minor change. He was astounded to discover that this seemingly insignificant change had made a huge difference in the final result of the predicted weather pattern. 

 An American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) butterfly on a Firewheel
Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake

In the process, Lorenz had stumbled upon a theory that has subsequently become known as “The Butterfly Effect.” 

Lorenz and his cohorts started considering the question: “Does the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” This theory has been applied to many areas of science ever since.

So how does The Butterfly Effect apply to YOU?

Every decision you make, no matter how tiny and insignificant it may seem at the time, has consequences. Every choice you make in life has the potential to change the direction in which your life is heading. Wherever you are right now in life is the consequence of all those decisions, both big and small, that you have made throughout your life.

If you want to change your life, change the way you think.  

        

It’s the Time of the Season When Love Runs High – at White Rock Lake

“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?” 


How many of you remember the 1968 song by the Zombies, “Time of the Season”?

Right now, as you walk around White Rock Lake in east Dallas, you cannot help but start singing the lyrics of that song: “It's the time of the season … When the love runs high …”

Spring is the time of the year when Mother Nature pushes the “get amorous” button. In the words of the song, “It's the time of the season for loving.” And the birds, animals and insects at White Rock Lake are taking it seriously, as though their very existence depended on it.

These Variegated Fritillary butterflies were mating yesterday, flying around from plant to plant, locked in passion, on the hill above Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake.

Mating Variegated Fritillary butterflies at White Rock Lake

Milkweed Bugs mating yesterday near Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake

These fish were spawning in Dixon Branch Creek, just before it
enters Sunset Bay

If you're interested in aeronautical acrobatics and copious amorous activity, go find yourself some dragonflies. They are always fun to watch. These two dragonflies were answering nature's call in the tiny stream that runs into the lake from the Dallas Arboretum.

Mating dragonflies at White Rock Lake

 Mating feral pigeons at Sunset Bay, White Rock Lake

Mating Mallard ducks on the east shore of White Rock Lake

The female Mallard felt so violated with the entire ordeal that she felt the need to shower afterwards. The male Mallard looked on, not quite understanding the need to bath.

In the words of Neltje Blanchan: “Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?” 


In case you were wondering what the song sounded like, you can listen to it here: Time of the Season

*****
Please LIKE us on Facebook

Spectacular Butterflies at White Rock Lake, Dallas

Butterflies are the Very Essence of Nature


Do you remember the joy you experienced as a child every time you saw a butterfly? Can you think of anything in nature that is more qualified than a butterfly to represent freedom, beauty or tranquility?

All of these images were taken at White Rock Lake in east Dallas, Texas. Most of them were taken on the banks of Dixon Branch Creek, just before it enters the lake.

The beautiful creature below is a Common Buckeye butterfly. It is a fabulous chestnut brown with 6 bright colorful eye spots.

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

The Monarch is a spectacular species, and one of the most popular butterflies. These amazing creatures migrate to warmer climates and can travel up to 3000 miles in the process.  

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Butterflies have been around for at least 50 million years and are an important component of the Earth’s rich biodiversity. They have been studied for over 300 years.

The striking fellow below is a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Dorsal view of the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 

Butterflies have the most fascinating life-cycles. The transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis is one of the great wonders of nature.

The beautiful specimen below is a Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia).

Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

Butterflies are good indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. Based on the abundance of butterflies at the lake right now, one can only conclude that White Rock Lake is in an extremely healthy state.

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Like self-propelled flowers, butterflies flit from flower to flower adding even more color to the awesome landscape.

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

Sulphur Butterfly

The Question Mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)

`

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 

Side view of Question Mark butterflies

In the words of Rabindranath Tagore, “The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.”

Live like a butterfly!

****


Please LIKE us on Facebook