Call: 214-526-2800

Email:Info@turtlecreekassociation.org

Web: turtlecreekassociation.org

A red-bellied woodpecker enjoying a sunny day down by the creek.

Photo taken by Rick Turner.

Greetings!

If you’ve recently traveled along Turtle Creek Boulevard, you may have noticed our new, colorful banners lining it. They mark the launch of our 2026 Membership Campaign and serve as a visible reminder of why the Turtle Creek Association exists—to Protect, Preserve, and Enhance one of Dallas’s most iconic natural landscapes.

Membership is the foundation of everything we do. It is what allows TCA to advocate for the creek, care for our parks, and invest in projects that make the corridor safer, more beautiful, and more resilient. From routine maintenance and tree planting to major initiatives like the recently completed restoration of the Bridges of Turtle Creek, your membership ensures that progress doesn’t just happen—it lasts.

To Protect means safeguarding Turtle Creek from erosion, overdevelopment, and neglect. To Preserve means honoring its natural beauty, history, and role as a shared community space. To Enhance means continually improving the corridor—adding trees, benches, landscaping, public art, and thoughtful infrastructure that invites people to slow down, connect, and enjoy this special place.

Simply put, Turtle Creek thrives because people like you care enough to invest in it. Membership is not just a contribution—it’s a statement that this green space matters and that its future is worth protecting.

Thank you for being part of our community and for helping ensure Turtle Creek remains a place we can all enjoy today and for generations to come.

Warm regards,

President | CEO

Turtle Creek Association

The Wait Is Over: Welcome to the Turtle Creek Corridor

The anticipation is finally over—and yes, it’s been worth the wait.

Much like those old Heinz ketchup commercials where good things come to those who wait, the new Turtle Creek Corridor gateway signage has arrived, and it’s officially making its debut. Custom-designed, thoughtfully crafted, and unapologetically delightful, the new sign announces—clearly and confidently—that you have entered one of Dallas’s most special places.

Anchored by bold lettering and elevated design, the sign is more than a marker—it’s a moment. And keeping watch, of course, is Toby the Turtle, the beloved mascot of our community. Rendered as whimsical sculpture perched atop the signage, Toby brings charm, personality, and a sense of play to the corridor—welcoming residents, visitors, walkers, runners, and drivers alike.

Because this was a custom-made installation, built specifically for Turtle Creek, it took time—and that was intentional. Only the best would do for this historic corridor. Every detail was considered, from materials and scale to how the sign sits within the landscape. The result is a gateway that feels both refined and friendly, iconic without being overbearing.

The Toby sculptures beautifully complement the other Toby signs found along Turtle Creek Boulevard, creating a cohesive visual identity throughout the corridor. Together, they signal something important: this is a place that is cared for, celebrated, and meant to be enjoyed.

So whether you’re arriving for a stroll, a bike ride, or simply passing through, the message is clear—welcome to the Turtle Creek Corridor. We’ve been saving a spot for you.

A few years ago, powerful straight-line winds took down several mature trees in Dean Park, leaving noticeable gaps in one of Turtle Creek’s most cherished green spaces. We’re happy to share that restoration is underway.

In partnership with the City of Dallas' Forestry, Parks and Recreation Departments, the Turtle Creek Association will soon install 10 new city-approved trees in Dean Park. The planting includes four Cedar Elms, three Bald Cypress, and three Sycamore trees, all 30-gallon specimens selected for their resilience, shade, and long-term contribution to the urban canopy.

Dallas Parks and Recreation will provide the labor to install the trees, while TCA is funding the project—including irrigation bubblers—to ensure the trees are well supported as they take root. Funding for this effort was made possible through generous contributions raised at last year’s Azalea Luncheon.

We are especially grateful to the sponsors who made these new plantings possible. Sponsors include:

These new trees represent more than replacement—they’re an investment in the future health, beauty, and sustainability of Dean Park for generations to come. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project a reality.

TCA Leadership Walks the Turtle Creek Leisure Trail with City Public Safety Partners

TCA leadership recently met with Kevin Oden, Director of the City of Dallas – Office of Integrated Public Safety Solutions (IPS), along with ten members of the City’s Street Response team, for a walking tour of the Turtle Creek Leisure Trail.

As reported previously, TCA continues to work closely with City officials and departments to address illegal homeless encampments that appear along the trail and throughout the Turtle Creek corridor. This on-site walk allowed Kevin and his team to see firsthand the conditions on the ground and the specific “hot spots” TCA has identified where encampments tend to re-emerge.

During the tour, TCA leadership shared the proactive measures the Association has implemented, efforts that have made a visible and positive impact across much of the corridor. While progress is clear, some persistent areas remain, most notably beneath the Fairmount Street Bridge, where encampments continue to pose challenges.

The group discussed additional tools and strategies the city has to support these efforts, including the installation of security cameras, enhanced fencing, and other proven deterrents designed to improve safety and discourage illegal activity.

Importantly, while on the walk, TCA leadership observed members of the Street Response team engaging with individuals along the trail with compassion, professionalism, and empathy—a reminder that effective public safety solutions balance enforcement with human-centered outreach and support.

TCA is grateful for Kevin Oden’s leadership and the collaborative approach of the Office of Integrated Public Safety Solutions. These continued partnerships are essential as we work together to protect, preserve, and enhance the Turtle Creek corridor for everyone who enjoys it.

Welcome, Vivante

TCA is pleased to welcome Vivante as our newest corporate sponsor.

Vivante is an award-winning luxury senior living brand, with Vivante Turtle Creek set to open in 2027 in one of Dallas’s most dynamic neighborhoods. Known for combining elegance, convenience, and state-of-the-art care, Vivante offers a full continuum of senior living—including independent living, assisted living, and memory care—within beautifully designed, condo-style residences.



We are grateful for Vivante’s support and shared commitment to enhancing the Turtle Creek corridor and the community that surrounds it. We look forward to this new partnership and to welcoming Vivante as a valued member of the TCA family.

The Turtle Creek Association is deeply grateful to Deborah Stanford for her exceptional service as Board Chair over the past two years. During her tenure, Deb was an engaged and thoughtful leader, providing steady guidance and meaningful insight during a period of significant growth and impact for TCA. Most notably, she served as the facilitator of the Bridges of Turtle Creek committee, helping lead one of the organization’s most ambitious and successful initiatives with clarity, collaboration, and care.

We are pleased to welcome Wayne Smith as TCA’s new Board Chair. Wayne brings a wealth of civic experience, institutional knowledge, and a deep commitment to public spaces to the role. He previously served on the Dallas Parks and Recreation Board, representing District 14, where he developed extensive experience working through City processes to deliver meaningful community outcomes.



Wayne is also a founder of the Exall Park Task Force and played a pivotal role in transforming Exall Park into a vibrant, family-friendly gathering place. Through his leadership, advocacy, and private fundraising, Exall Park was enhanced with new trails, lighting, playgrounds, and landscaping. In recognition of his lasting impact, the City of Dallas renamed the park’s ball field in Wayne’s honor—an enduring testament to his dedication to community-driven improvement.

As TCA looks ahead, we are excited to leverage Wayne’s experience and leadership to further our mission to Preserve, Protect, and Enhance Turtle Creek. With Wayne’s appointment the Association is well positioned for continued progress and lasting impact.

Building a Legacy of Generosity: Bruzzy Westheimer

The Turtle Creek Association is proud to recognize Bruzzy Westheimer, a TCA Visionary Patron whose generosity and civic leadership extend well beyond our neighborhood. While Bruzzy and his wife, Gloria, make their primary home in Ardmore, they share a deep connection to Turtle Creek through their second home—and through a lifelong commitment to investing in the communities they love.

A proud alumnus of the University of North Texas, Bruzzy earned his degree in administrative management in 1965 and has remained actively engaged ever since. He has served in leadership roles with the President’s Leadership Board and the Kuehne Speaker Series and is a life member of the UNT Alumni Association. His philanthropy has supported scholarships and strengthened collegiate golf programs.

Most recently, Bruzzy’s commitment to opportunity was celebrated with the opening of Bruzzy’s Golf Performance Center at Murray State College—a $1.3 million facility providing advanced, year-round training for college and high school athletes while also delivering a positive economic impact to the Ardmore community.

Bruzzy has asked us to share a personal update as well. He was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; thankfully, it was caught very early, and his prognosis is good. As he begins this journey, he welcomes the thoughts and prayers of our Turtle Creek community.



We are deeply grateful to Bruzzy and Gloria for their generosity and for exemplifying what it means to lead with purpose—here in Turtle Creek and across North Texas.

In Loving Memory of

Carole Ann Brown

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend, Carole Ann Brown, who died peacefully in her sleep on January 22.

Carole Ann was deeply loved and will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and larger-than-life spirit. She had a remarkable ability to light up a room and make everyone around her feel welcomed, valued, and seen. Her warmth, laughter, and unmistakable presence will be missed by so many.

A devoted supporter of the arts, culture, and philanthropy in Dallas, Carole Ann generously gave her time and talents to numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the city. Her service included leadership and involvement with the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Salvation Army, Mes Amies, and Kidney Texas.

Carole Ann was also a proud member and supporter of the Turtle Creek Association. Known for her sense of fashion, enthusiasm, and joyful personality, she was a familiar and cherished presence at TCA events, where she embodied the spirit of community and generosity that defines our mission.

Our hearts are with her beloved husband, Richard (Dick), and her family during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.