Call: 214-526-2800

Email:Info@turtlecreekassociation.org

Web: turtlecreekassociation.org

"Wishing everyone a clean, calm, and joyful Turtle Creek this holiday season!"

Toby

Greetings!

It’s me—Toby the Turtle, writing from my favorite sunny rock along Turtle Creek. I’ve been doing some deep, slow holiday thinking (which includes at least two naps and a very serious stare at a leaf), and I wanted to share a few things I’m especially thankful for this holiday season.

First: the water. Oh my shell, the water! Clearer than I can remember in all my turtle years. These days I can see pebbles, minnows, and even my own reflection—which, I’m happy to report, has held up remarkably well. Swimming is smoother, calmer, and far less like an obstacle course.

Then there are the neighbors. Birds swooping, fish darting, turtles lounging (professionally), and even a beaver who seems deeply committed to home renovation. When a creek is cared for, life shows up. We noticed. We talk about it.

Now here’s something wonderful about creek life—no boundaries. I’ve wandered up and down the creek more times than I can count, never once stopping, never once being stopped. Leaves drift by, fish roam freely, and turtles like me float wherever the water takes us. That’s just how a creek works.

And the bridges—oh, the bridges! From my low-to-the-ground perspective, they’re looking especially handsome this year: strong, restored, and standing tall like proud old storytellers. I like to sit below and imagine holiday cheer passing overhead while we celebrate quietly underneath. (Yes, turtles celebrate quietly. Mostly with basking.)

So as the holidays arrive and the air turns crisp, I’ll be doing what turtles do best: slowing down, soaking up a little winter sunshine, and feeling grateful for a creek that’s cleaner, calmer, and clearly loved.

From my shell to yours,

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a peaceful New Year.

See you in the spring—same rock, same creek.

— Toby

P.S. If you’re ever walking along the creek and see a turtle sitting very still and looking thoughtful—that’s not wisdom. That’s just me warming up.

Like Toby, I’ve been doing some deep thinking about the future of Turtle Creek. My wishes are simple: protecting its health, keeping it welcoming and safe, and ensuring the progress we’ve made continues for generations to come.

Caring for the health of the creek

My first wish is that we continue restoring the ecosystem of Turtle Creek. Over the past several years, we’ve seen encouraging signs of renewal—healthier banks, clearer water, returning wildlife, and native plantings beginning to take hold. This work is foundational. A healthy creek supports everything else we hope to achieve, which is why continued investments in dredging and bank stabilization are so critical to Turtle Creek’s long-term health.

Making Turtle Creek welcoming, safe, and beautiful

I also hope we continue improving the experience of being along the creek. That includes better lighting and security along the Turtle Creek Leisure Trail so everyone can feel comfortable using it throughout the day. It also means enhancing the flowerbeds along Turtle Creek Boulevard—small details that collectively send a message that this place is cared for and valued.

Protecting progress and practicing stewardship

Finally, my wish is that we never lose sight of the importance of stewardship. That means continuing to maintain the areas we’ve already restored—including the recently refurbished bridges—clearing brush and undergrowth north of Blackburn Street, and resisting the temptation to take today’s cleanliness for granted. Progress only lasts if it’s looked after.

And beyond all of this, I hope more people discover the beauty of Turtle Creek and the surrounding parklands—not just as a place to pass through, but as a place to pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature. The more people who know and love the creek, the stronger its future will be.

Turtle Creek’s story is one of steady care, shared responsibility, and quiet transformation. My hope is that, together, we continue choosing stewardship—today and for generations to come.



If Turtle Creek matters to you, I invite you to be part of this work. Membership in the Turtle Creek Association is one of the simplest ways to support the care, stewardship, and steady progress that keep the creek thriving for everyone.

Happy Holidays,

President|CEO

Turtle Creek Association

This year brought meaningful progress for Turtle Creek—and it happened because of our community. Together, we’ve:

• Restored bridges once covered in grime, rust and graffiti.
• Cleared overgrown green spaces so they can flourish again.
• Protected the creek and the wildlife that calls it home.

Progress isn’t permanent without care—and that’s why our Annual Campaign matters.

Momentum & Gratitude

Thanks to a few incredible early supporters, we’ve already surpassed our $70,000 December goal! Special thanks to:

• Anonymous donor — $10,000
• Pat Kozak — $20,000
• Donna Zick — $20,000
• Stacie and Steve Worsham — $30,000

…plus several others, bringing the total to $87,550 so far!

Every gift accelerates our work in 2026—preserving bridges, maintaining green spaces, keeping the creek clean, and protecting wildlife. There’s still time to join this momentum.

A New Challenge: $100,000

Now we’re dreaming even bigger: can we raise $100,000 by year-end? Every additional gift accelerates our work in 2026—allowing us to:



• Preserve and maintain bridges, keeping them safe and graffiti-free.
• Keep green spaces open, safe, and thriving.
• Continue us towards dredging and bank stabilization to protect the creek’s long-term health.
• Monitor and prevent illegal encampments.
• Support the wildlife that has returned thanks to our shared efforts.

Every gift matters. The more we raise, the faster we can expand these projects and protect everything Turtle Creek represents for our community.

Turtle Creek is a shared treasure. With your support, it will continue to be beautiful, safe, and vibrant for everyone who walks its paths, crosses its bridges, and calls this community home.

Please give today—and help us reach this exciting $100,000 stretch goal. Every gift counts, and all donations made before December 31, 2025, are fully tax-deductible. Together, we can start 2026 stronger than ever.

There are people who provide a service—and then there are people who become part of the soul of a place. Patrick Rae is firmly in the latter category.

As the owner of Trash Free Waterways, Patrick and his crew have been the quiet force behind the remarkable transformation of Turtle Creek. Month after month, rain or shine, they clean the creek thoroughly and relentlessly—without boundaries. If there’s a trash bag tangled twenty feet up in a tree, Patrick gets it out. If a site needs to be sanitized and restored, he handles it with care and professionalism. Nothing is overlooked. Nothing is “someone else’s problem.”

Patrick’s dedication goes far beyond routine maintenance. When graffiti appears, he’s our first call. When a trash boom needs attention, a fallen tree blocks the flow, or an encampment is forming, Patrick is already on it—often before anyone else notices. His strong working relationship with the City of Dallas has made him an invaluable partner in protecting the health and safety of the entire corridor.

But what truly sets Patrick apart is his heart for this community.

He volunteers at every TCA event—from our Gala to the Tour of Homes—always willing, always present, always supportive. He shows up not because he has to, but because he cares. Patrick is not just a vendor; he is a patron member, a trusted collaborator, and very much part of the TCA family.

Thanks to Patrick’s unwavering commitment, Turtle Creek is cleaner, safer, and more welcoming—for neighbors, visitors, and wildlife alike. His work is impeccable. His reliability is unmatched. And his generosity of time and spirit reminds us what stewardship truly looks like.

Patrick, thank you for everything you do for Turtle Creek Association and for our community. We are deeply grateful—and incredibly lucky—to have you walking (and wading) alongside us.

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.