On April 28, 2012, the third annual Barton Springs Pool Treeathlon will be held as a goofy short and family-friendly swim/bike/run event to raise funds for Barton Springs Pool.  As shown in the Treeathlon Course Map, participants will swim ACROSS Barton Springs Pool, bike a short loop through Zilker Park, and then run a short course around the Polo Fields to the finish line party at the Polo Field picnic table area.  Not an entirely serious athletic endeavor, the Treeathlon is a fun way to celebrate Barton Springs Pool, raise money for a pool-related project, and maybe bring back some of the “Keep Austin Weird” vibe.

At the “Treeathletes — What You Need To Know” page, we have a detailed explanation of the schedule and logistics for the event.

Registration: ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED, BUT YOU CAN REGISTER THE MORNING OF THE EVENT AT ZILKER PARK.  PLEASE ARRIVE BY 8:30 TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR REGISTRATION. Look for the registration table by the Moonlight Tower parking area.  Registration fees are $30 for individual registration and $45 for family registration.  If you’re not already registered with the USA Triathlon, you’ll need to purchase a $12 single-day triathlon license ($10 for kids under 18) at the online registration site (below) or at the day of the event.  At registration, please specify your t-shirt size.  Shirts ordered before April 20 will be made available at the event, and shirts ordered after April 20 will be separately ordered and priced accordingly.

Treeathlon Insurance: Before participating in the Treeathlon, every participant is required to be a member of USA Triathlon and to present a photo ID. NO PHOTO ID, NO RACE, NO EXCEPTIONS (except for kids who bear a passing resemblance to the parents). If you did not pay for the USAT license at the registration site, you will be required to present a photo ID and pay the USAT license fee ($12 for adults, and $10 for kids under 18) by either cash or check. You will also be required to sign the USAT Membership application. The USA Triathlon application/payment requirements will be handled at the registration table by the Moonlight Tower parking area.

Benefits: Participants support Barton Springs Pool and the efforts to restore the original Bathhouse entrance to its original location at the central glass rotunda.  In addition, participants will receive an official Barton Springs Pool Treeathlon t-shirt, and enjoy some cool “beers” (root and real) from Saint Arnold’s and Maine Root, as well as yummy Tacodeli tacos and other food and refreshments from local vendors and supporters of the Pool.  Additional benefits include a one year membership with Friends of Barton Springs Pool.

Course map: Treeathlon Course Map

Contact email: Mike Cannatti (mike@hamiltonterrile.com)

Contact Phone: 338-9100

Volunteer Information: Frederika Tausch (fjtausch@sbcglobal.net)

We Thank Our Sponsors and Supporters:

First off, special thanks to Jon “Papa” Grant for his wonderful work in preparing the Treeathlon logo showing the salamanders in their action triathlete poses. Way cute!

We’ve also received tons of organizational help from Dan Carroll with High Five Events which we appreciate beyond words.  Thanks so much!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2012SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

Zilker Zealot Sponsor:

Philosopher’s Rock Sponsors:

Towering Moonlighter Sponsors:

Randy Sarosdy

Parthenia’s Pecan Sponsors:

Joe and Sarah Anderson

Eliza’s Elm Sponsors:

Robin and Frances Thompson

Kenneth Prol

Michelle and Sam Haddad

Dave Swincher

Give 5% Day is here!  Today, Saturday April 21, support the Friends of Barton Springs Pool as you shop, eat and play at local businesses all over town.

The third annual Give 5% for Mother Earth campaign happens next week!  Once again, FBSP is teaming up with the Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Land Conservancy, Sierra Club, Tree Folks, and Clean Water Fund to encourage local businesses to donate 5% of their gross profits on Earth Day weekend to these local environmental nonprofits.  Last year’s campaign raised almost $20,000 and this year looks like it will be even more successful, with even more local businesses participating!

We want YOU to be a part of it!  Here’s how:

Wednesday, April 18
First, event title sponsor Whole Foods is featuring the Give 5% campaign for their Community Giving day at both Austin locations on Wednesday, April 18.  Shop and dine at Whole Foods that day and 5% of proceeds will benefit the campaign!  The day will kick off with a press conference at 8:30 at the flagship W. 6th Street location, followed by music from favorite local musician Alejandro Escovedo.  Then, check out the FBSP booth at the same store: we’ll be there from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Saturday, April 21
This is the big day!  Shop, eat, play and enjoy at the more than 60 local businesses who are participating in the campaign, including Red’s Porch, Zax Restaurant and Bar and the Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane location.  All businesses participating have very generously agreed to donate 5% (or more!) of their gross sales Saturday, April 21 to the benefiting nonprofits.  It’s a win-win: you support local business while also supporting the environment!

Please support Barton Springs Pool by helping sponsor the Third Annual Barton Springs Pool Treeathlon on April 28, 2012. Presented by Friends of Barton Springs Pool in cooperation with Austin Parks Foundation, the Treeathlon will be a very, very short and fun swim/bike/run event to raise “fun” and tax deductible funds for Barton Springs Pool and the surrounding area. Beginning at 10am, participants will swim ACROSS Barton Springs Pool(maybe 50 yards), bike a short loop through Zilker Park (about 2/3 mile), and then run a short course (1/4 to 1/2 mile) around the Polo Fields to the finish line party at the Zilker Rock Garden area.

As one of our local businesses, your sponsorship is a great way to show that your business supports Barton Springs Pool, Austin’s most cherished swimming hole, so please consider supporting this event by sponsoring the event at one of the levels proposed on the attached brochure or by registering for the event.
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Master Plan and General Grounds Improvements Update: Report on the Parks and Recreation Board and Environmental Board Joint Committee Meeting

by Gary Beyer

On Monday, February 6, the City of Austin provided a status update on the General Grounds Improvement Project, Barton Springs trees, and the Master Plan Short-Termed Projects. The General Grounds Improvement Project continues toward its start date of fall of this year. Great News! The number of trails has been reduced so that now the original trail from the south gate to the diving board has been eliminated. This will allow for the infilling of the gully and restoration of the critical root zone of the large pecan tree nearby. All direct traffic to the diving board beach will be through the area known as the South Woods, an area formerly located outside the fence. The trail through the South Woods will be ADA accessible. There will be another ADA trail from the south gate to the memorial area, but it has been changed from concrete to decayed granite. These improvements will reduce the impervious cover and will not detract from the natural, open aesthetic uncluttered with lots of manmade distractions.
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Feeling cramped up from this long harsh 70-degree winter? Tired of wearing not one but two layers of light clothing? Well my friends you are in luck, because this upcoming March 3rd is none other than the Friends of Barton Springs Pool “Spring Cleaning,” where we guarantee you that spring feeling. Each year after the Texas winter subsides we recruit all of you wonderful volunteers to come out to the pool and literally spring clean.

As part of the It’s My Park Day event the FBSP organization likes to open up the year strong and big with the cleaning that readies the pool for the summer masses. We plant flowers, sweep rocks (that are under the water), garden, scrub railings, paint things, remove harmful algae, and much much more. We like to think that we make the springs a better place for swimmers and the natural habitat that live there year round. So come on out and join us for this years It’s My Park Day and Friends of Barton Springs Pool spring cleaning extravaganza.

Date: Saturday March 3rd 2012

Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Where: Barton Springs Pool (main entrance)

Sincerely,

Thomas Schiefer

Service Director of FBSP