White Rock Lake, one of Dallas’ most treasured recreational landmarks, got some love last Thursday from dozens of volunteers who turned out to help clean up its shores.
As part of its community service initiative, the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas (AAGD) got roughly 100 people out to assist municipal personnel in beautifying parts of the lake.
Credit: Apartment Association of Greater Dallas
Located in northeast Dallas, White Rock Lake comprises about 1,000 acres of surface water area and more than 9 miles of hiking and biking trails. Featuring picnic sites, a dog park, fishing piers, and two docks, it gets more than 1 million visitors a year.
Volunteers with AAGD helped rake leaves, weed, pick up litter, prune trees, pressure wash surfaces, paint handrails, and remove invasive species. Council Member Paula Blackmon (District 9), who represents the area, stopped by during the cleanup to thank the volunteers and highlight the value of White Rock Lake.
“It is more than just a scenic spot, but a vital resource for the Dallas community,” she said. “It’s a place where families gather, where individuals find peace, and where our community connects with nature.”
Blackmon has been working to find the money to dredge the lake after too many years of sediment buildup. White Rock Lake hasn’t been dredged since 1998. It should happen every 20 years.
The city has allocated $20 million from its 2024 bond package to dredge the Lake, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers adding $2 million for design work. Engineering and environmental reviews are underway, but the project hasn’t begun. Full dredging, expected to cost up to $80 million, is years away.
Still, the depths aren’t low enough yet to put a dent in boating activity. There’s also plenty of natural splendor to enjoy along the shoreline and trails. And after last week’s cleanup, it’s a little more splendid.
“It was a beautiful day for our members to join the Dallas Park and Recreation crews to protect the beauty of our lake and its trails by pitching in some grassroots manual labor,” said John Brandes, AAGD’s vice president of customer engagement for maintenance supply solutions. “Thanks to the volunteer efforts, we can make a lasting impact on White Rock Lake and the quality of life in Dallas.”
Brandes also serves as chair for AAGD’s community service committee, which organizes service opportunities for its members ranging from community cleanups to toy drives to free renovations for local nonprofits.
AAGD is a regional trade group that represents the interests of the local rental housing industry. Spanning 11 counties and repping some 722,000 units in and around Dallas, it engages with municipal authorities in the area on policy issues that could impact its members.