Don't Let the Train Catch You: A Press Release from Capital Metro

MetroRail trains to begin afternoon/evening testing Nov. 16

Faster, more frequent trains prompt another call to safety for motorists and pedestrians

 

Austin, Texas, November 11, 2009 – Capital MetroRail trains will shift to afternoon/evening testing beginning on Nov. 16. MetroRail trains will be out on the line from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, testing the tentative afternoon schedule for MetroRail service in real-time conditions. The testing also gives DMU train engineers additional practice operating the train at night.

 

During this testing, freight trains will run from 9 p.m. each evening until 2 p.m. the next day.

 

MetroRail trains will be traveling at full operating speeds, nearly twice as fast as freight trains. Additionally, train activity will increase significantly.

 

For these reasons, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to always expect a train, and to stay off the tracks.  

 

Capital Metro is contacting schools and neighborhoods adjacent to the line to inform students and parents, erecting rail safety signs at grade crossings, and working with rail safety advocates in the community to assist the agency in spreading the message. 

 

For the past three years, Capital Metro has worked closely with neighborhoods, schools, community organizations and the Austin Police Department to raise awareness about train safety in advance of the safe arrival of Capital MetroRail in Central Texas . Police will be ticketing motorists who park on the tracks or within 15 feet of the railroad crossing arms.

 

Learn more about rail safety at http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-safety.shtml.

 

 

John-Michael V. Cortez
512.436.0250

Special Neighborhood Meeting - Tuesday, October 20

At our regular meeting last Monday, October 5th, at the Walnut Creek Baptist Church on North Lamar, residents voted to accept the offer of Austin Energy to remove the seven (7) live oak trees in the North Star Green Belt, contingent upon GWNA committee reaching an agreement about a mitigation plan.

The oaks are located in the North Star Greenbelt near Swearingen. A mitigation plan would include a landscaping design, plantings, and irrigation.

On Tuesday, 10/20, the GWNA committee will meet with the Austin Energy Forester to discuss mitigation plan requirements and options. The public is invited to attend. Walnut Creek Baptist Church Hall (north Lamar) at 7pm.

THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING. ALL RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.


Background on the Trees to be Removed

There are seven live oak trees in the greenbelt between Swearingen and Bittern Hollow that were severely trimmed this summer. This greenbelt area is owned by Austin Energy. They also own a set of power lines running down the middle of the greenbelt. Austin Energy is responsible for the safety of these power lines, and for trimming the trees to a safe clearance distance from the power lines. Four years ago, neighborhood representatives and Austin Energy signed an agreement stating these trees would be trimmed every four years, and offering to remove and replace these seven oak trees for smaller native trees sometime in the future.

Recently, Austin Energy received several complaints about the agreed trimming project. GWNA was approached to review this situation and decide if the community wanted to continue having these trees trimmed every four years, or to have the trees removed now and replaced with other height appropriate native trees.

(Please do not call Austin Energy. They will be attending the meeting.)

Gracywoods Picnic!

Tuesday, Oct 6, 2009

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
11701 Tallow Field Dr

Join your neighbors for a potluck dinner in the park

This is an annual, nation-wide event designed to promote neighborhood safety

Where: From Braker Ln, go North on Metric Blvd, turn Right on Gold Wing Dr (2^nd Right). The park is at the end of that block.

Who: Neighbors of all ages, APD officers, firefighters, EMS officials

Why: To encourage a safer community and get to know your neighbors

Bring: Your favorite dish and a chair or blanket. Or, bring a cooler of drinks in lieu of a dish. (If you’re unable to make a dish, please come anyway!)

Print this Flyer for your Fridge or for a Friend!

You'll Love a Parade

You are invited to the First Annual Gracywoods 4th of July Parade!

8:30 a.m. - Registration
Sign in at Bittern Hollow entry to the North Star greenbelt (11737 Bittern Hollow, near the drinking fountain). We will help you decorate your non-motorized bikes, strollers and wagons. Or bring your wagons pre-decorated. Prizes will be awarded for the best Red, White and Blue decorations. Please bring decorated cupcakes to share. Prizes for best-looking cupcakes.

9:00 a.m. - Parade
We will march along park path towards Parkfield and back to the water fountain (About 15 minutes)

9:30 a.m. - Awards & Refreshments
Awards for costumes, decorations and decorated cupcakes. Refreshments for all. Come enjoy iced watermelons, soda floats, cupcakes and mingling.

For information or to volunteer, contact Bill Glass 836-3330, wlglass@sbcglobal.net

Every Dog Has Its Day

Coming up on Thursday, June 25, Rattan Creek Park (just down Parmer Ln) will be host to a Dog Fair, sponsored by the nearby Crossroads Community Church. Contests of skill and appearance are scheduled, and a veterinarian and a trainer will be on-site to take questions. The fun starts at 6:30 in the evening, so come on out and don't forget the little ones, both four- and two-legged.

Take Our Park Survey, Please!

The Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of gathering input across the city to create "Comprehensive Plans" for respective greenbelts and park within communities. A survey for the North Star greenbelt and Gracywoods Park is on-line and the neighborhood association would appreciate your taking a few minutes to participate and have your voice heard.

You might be surprised to learn there are greenbelts and parks within the city that do not have walking paths, a drinking fountain, no Mutt Mitt dispensers, no trash cans, no more than one park bench, no workout equipment, street parking, no picnic tables or shaded pavilions and literally only two trees. You might also be surprised to learn that those neighborhoods or communities do not want anything other than what they currently have. Sometimes we lose sight; we have a tremendous amount to be grateful for to have such a nice greenbelt and park so close by that have many amenities, wildlife, trees and irrigation to water those trees. We have individuals, a neighborhood association and a neighborhood garden club all of who take pride in what we do have and when they are able, volunteer their time to help the neighborhood association and community continue to be good stewards of the greenbelt and parks in our area.

The North Star comprehensive plan will reflect the vision of our community and could include additional amenities, structures or other ideas that you include with your survey responses. Add anything you want to see (shade coverings over park benches that have no mature trees nearby, plant or tree identification markers, kiosks, a dog park, a plaque to dedicate a tree, bench or bridge, a succulent garden - add anything you think of). Keep in mind the fact that submitting an idea does not guarantee that it will become part of the plan. All community input will be provided to PARD; they will review it, look at the viability of the submittal and provide us with a draft for the community to review and approve before the plan is solidified. Cost and maintenance will be big factors in what the Parks department agrees to fund and support from Gracywoods input.

Your engagement is important; please take a few minutes to participate in this survey.

Warblers in the 'Woods

Over on his blog, GracyWILD, Dr Nazor has penned a piece about that most controversial of Austin avians, the Golden-cheeked Warbler, featuring fine photographs of the fowl as it rested in his pecan tree.