Call: 214-526-2800

Email:Info@turtlecreekassociation.org

Web: turtlecreekassociation.org

Greetings!

With the momentum of an extraordinary year still very much in motion, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together and, more importantly, what comes next for Turtle Creek.

The past year marked extraordinary growth, growth in membership, growth in fundraising, and, most importantly, growth in impact. Together, we delivered meaningful progress along the Turtle Creek corridor, highlighted by the continued success of the Bridges of Turtle Creek initiative and visible improvements that reinforce what TCA has long stood for: preservation, protection, and thoughtful enhancement of this treasured landscape.

Momentum brings responsibility and stewardship is our greatest impact.

As we look ahead to 2026, our mandate is clear: maintain what we have accomplished while continuing to elevate the corridor with intention and care. Stewardship is impact, and sustaining progress requires just as much focus and discipline as achieving it.

One area of renewed emphasis this year will be the 14 landscaped beds throughout the corridor. These beds were once a defining feature of Turtle Creek...vibrant, intentional, and a source of pride for the entire community. Restoring them to their blooming potential is an important initiative and one that reinforces both the beauty and identity of the corridor.

None of this work happens in isolation. It is made possible by the trust and confidence of our members, donors, and partners. Your continued support allows TCA to advocate effectively, coordinate with City resources, and take action where it matters most. We are deeply grateful for that trust—and we take it seriously.

As we move into this next chapter, I encourage you to stay engaged with TCA—renew your membership, attend upcoming events and public meetings, and lend your voice to the issues that shape the future of Turtle Creek. Your participation strengthens our advocacy, ensures the corridor remains one of Dallas’s most cherished natural assets, and allows us to take pride in what we are accomplishing together.

Warm regards,

President|CEO

Turtle Creek Association

Your voice matters—and now is the time to use it.

Councilmember Paul E. Ridley and Dallas Police Chief Michael Comeaux will host a District 14 Public Safety Town Hall on Thursday, January 15, from 6:00–7:15 p.m. The meeting will take place at Arlington Hall, 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas, TX 75219.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from city leadership and to raise questions and concerns about public safety in our area. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance using the provided QR code or link. Please note that pre-submitted questions will be addressed first, so we strongly encourage participation ahead of time.

Hope to see you there!

Editor’s Note: Caring for Turtle Creek takes a village, and TCA welcomes Turtle Creek Conservancy as a new partner while continuing to guide the corridor’s overall stewardship.

Caring for Turtle Creek has always required collaboration. As the saying goes, it takes a village, and we are pleased to welcome the Turtle Creek Conservancy as a partner in the ongoing stewardship of the creek.

Over the years, the Conservancy has supported the corridor through volunteer-led park clean-up days, which have played a valuable role in community engagement and awareness. Recently, the City of Dallas amended the Conservancy’s beautification agreement to now include responsibility for creek cleaning between Lemmon Avenue and Bowen Street—the portion of the creek that flows through Turtle Creek Park.

These changes reflect a shared commitment to the long-term health and beauty of Turtle Creek and recognizes that the volume and complexity of debris in the creek require consistent, professional-level care alongside volunteer efforts. We are encouraged to see additional resources dedicated to this work.

“Turtle Creek is one of Dallas’s most treasured natural assets, and its care is strongest when organizations, partners, and the community work together toward a shared vision,” said J.D. Trueblood, President & CEO of the Turtle Creek Association.

For the past four and a half years, the Turtle Creek Association has worked closely with the City and other stakeholders to ensure consistent care along the entire creek corridor. During that time, TCA has funded and managed manual trash removal, brush and undergrowth clearing, and tree canopy raising—often in challenging conditions and at considerable expense. The section of the creek now included in the Conservancy’s agreement required significant ongoing investment, and TCA is proud to have supported that work as part of its broader commitment to the creek.

With this section now covered by the Conservancy, TCA will be able to redirect future resources and attention to other areas of the corridor, further enhancing creek visibility, parkland beauty, and ongoing restoration efforts. Even with this shared responsibility, TCA will continue to steward a substantial portion of the creek, as reflected in the adjacent map.

Continuity and accountability remain central to TCA’s approach. Trash Free Waterways will continue to service the entire creek, ensuring consistent standards and seamless care from end-to-end. Members and park users should notice no change in service or quality. The difference is simply that the Conservancy will now fund cleaning within the area it manages—joining other partners, such as Hillwood, which sponsors the creek segment adjacent to its property, in supporting this essential work.

TCA has long valued collaboration in creek stewardship, and we are pleased to see additional partners step forward. Looking ahead, cooperation will continue to be critical. The long-term health of Turtle Creek will depend on thoughtful coordination and sustained fundraising to support large-scale initiatives—such as dredging and bank stabilization—that extend beyond the capacity of any single organization.

The Turtle Creek Association remains fully committed to its mission of preserving, protecting, and enhancing the entire Turtle Creek corridor. We are proud of the progress made to date, grateful for partners who contribute to this shared effort, and focused on the work ahead. Together, we can ensure that Turtle Creek continues to thrive as one of Dallas’s most cherished natural assets.

Gateway Entrance on Cedar Springs: Nearing Completion

The Gateway Entrance located on Cedar Springs Road between Gillespie Street and the Katy Trail overpass is taking shape beautifully. By now, many of you have likely noticed that the landscaping and the base for the signage have been installed, marking a significant milestone for this highly visible project.

The customized Gateway sign is currently in production and is scheduled for completion in early February, with installation to follow immediately thereafter. Once installed, the Gateway Entrance will provide a welcoming and distinctive sense of arrival, reinforcing Turtle Creek’s identity and enhancing this important corridor.

Crow 1 Sculpture: Thoughtful Progress Underway

We continue to look forward to the installation of the Crow 1 sculpture, a project that will bring a meaningful artistic element to the creek corridor. As with many donor-funded initiatives, this project is moving forward in phases to ensure it is completed with the level of care, quality, and intention it deserves.

The timing of the associated landscaping and sculpture installation has been adjusted to align with donor schedules and broader project coordination. TCA is working closely with all parties to ensure the installation proceeds smoothly and thoughtfully. We appreciate the community’s patience and look forward to sharing updates as the project advances toward completion.

New Trees Coming to Dean Park

TCA is excited to announce that 14 new trees—all 30-gallon specimens—will be planted in Dean Park in the coming weeks. You might recall, a few years ago, straight-line winds resulted in the loss of several mature trees in the park, and this planting represents an important step in restoring the park’s canopy.

These new trees were made possible through the generosity of donors who attended the Azalea Luncheon last spring, and we are deeply grateful for their support. Tree restoration is essential to the long-term health, beauty, and resilience of our parks, and this project reflects TCA’s continued commitment to thoughtful stewardship of the corridor.

Being a member of the Turtle Creek Association means playing an active role in preserving one of Dallas’s most beautiful and historic treasures. Membership dollars directly fund the projects that keep Turtle Creek safe, vibrant, and thriving—from restoring historic bridges to enhancing landscaping, public art, and lighting. More than just a contribution, membership is a partnership that ensures this unique urban oasis will continue to inspire and welcome generations to come.