Call for volunteers to clean the pool on 5/28

The Service Committee of FBSP is holding our next “Volunteer Pool Cleaning” Thursday, May 28th, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Please sign up for a 2 hour shift to help us care for the pool. Send an e-mail to Service@FriendsofBartonSpringsPool.org with your name, phone number and the shift(s) you would like no later than Wednesday, 5/27 at 7pm.

SHIFT TIME SHIFT LEADER
10am – NOON Annie Walker
NOON – 2pm Robin Cravey
2pm – 4pm Maria Weber
4pm – 6pm Annie Walker

Donated snacks will be available. We will provide a water jug for you to refill and we ask that you please bring your own water bottle (so we can reduce disposable cup waste).

REMEMBER – YOU GET FREE MEMBERSHIPSHIP WITH FBSP (A $25 VALUE) FOR CLEANING THE POOL JUST 4 HOURS IN ONE YEAR!

VOLUNTEERS: Please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Be prepared to get wet. Wear a pair of old sneakers / watersocks / teva-type sandals because the bottom is slippery. Wear clothes you do not mind getting wet in. Typically the work does not require you to submerge totally but wading in waist high water is not uncommon. Bring gloves as some of the duties can cause blisters. Use sunscreen on all exposed areas; and we recommend a big hat to help shade your face & neck.

Please note: No swimming is allowed because the lifeguards are part of the cleanup crew. Please let the shift leader assigned to your time know of any jobs that you do not feel you can do. We are permitted to use the showers when we’re finished cleaning. Remember that staff will be cleaning, so post a lookout at the dressing room door if you feel the need.

OBJECTIVES: (subject to change depending on the priorities set by BSP staff)
1.) Push-broom the shallow end of the pool to remove as much algae as possible
2.) Scrub rails to remove algae
4.) Weeding in bathhouse garden areas

Thanks in advance for your help! We’ll see you at the pool!

Events related to the Barton Springs Tree Assessment

All of these are posted on our calendar

• Walking tour with arborist Don Gardner, Wednesday, May 13, 5:20 pm.
• Walking tour with city forester Michael Embesi Friday, May 15, 3 pm. Meet in the tree court.
• Walking tour with city forester Michael Embesi Friday, May 15, 6 pm. Meet in the tree court.
• Urban Forestry Board meeting on May 19, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Mexican American Cultural Center located at 600 River St.
• Environmental Board meeting on May 20, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the City Hall Council Chambers Room 1002 located at 301 W. 2nd Street.

2009 Board Members

On Saturday, April 26th, the new Board Members were announced at our annual membership meeting. They are as follows:

Robin Cravey, President
Gary Beyer, Vice President
Mike Cannatti, Secretary
Tom Weber, Advocacy chair
Maria Ines Weber, Treasurer
Peggy Wall, Membership chair
Annie Buckman, Service chair
Chasity Larios, Communications chair
Clarke Hammond, Fundraising chair
Pat Bobeck, Fun chair

Many thanks to outgoing and continuing board members.  Congratulations to new board members.

Membership Meeting in April

Please join the Friends of Barton Springs Pool for our annual membership meeting on Saturday, April 25, noon to 1:30 pm.  We will meet in the Splash exhibit classroom.  All are welcome.

Highlights of the meeting:
Get to know fellow swimmers
Thank departing board members
Elect new board members
Learn about volunteer opportunities
Hear about our accomplishments of the past year
Learn the status of the bypass tunnel repair from David Johns of the
Parks Department
Refreshments and door prizes
Join us for a walk to the archeological site in Zilker following the meeting

Tree Assessment will bring changes to Pool grounds

In 2006 the Friends of Barton Springs Pool warned that trees in the pool area needed attention.  City council funded a study and evaluation of the trees.  The study has been delivered.  Some trees must be removed, some will receive care, and some new trees will be planted.

Friends vice president Robin Cravey commented, “Tree removals hurt, but sometimes they are necessary.  The benefit is that new trees will be planted, and many of the trees standing will get much-needed arbor care.”

The Barton Springs Tree Assessment Report and Action Plan will be presented to the Joint Committee of the Parks and Environmental Boards on Monday evening at 6:30 pm.  Also on the agenda are reports on Barton Springs Gravel Removal, Barton Springs Bypass Tunnel, and Barton Springs Short-Term Projects.  Representative of Friends of Barton Springs will attend the meeting.

Read the tree study at: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/bsptrees.pdf

Tree Assessment
Tree Assessment