Thanks to the Murzin family’s efforts, Coffee Park in University Park is barrier-free and includes a trail system with dioramas depicting the history of University Park, new picnic facilities, athletic field improvements, park entrance signage, decorative fencing, expanded acreage on the park’s northern edge (made possible because of the Northwest Parkway Wall) and the City’s first barrier-free playground to provide fun for children of all ages and abilities.

Photo provided by A Child Can Do All Things

” A Child Can Do All Things Luncheon” Chair Alicia Wood (pictured left with, from the left, Blackie Holmes, Jerry Bradley, Christina Murzin, and Heather Pujats) announced at a breakfast at Tiffany & Co., that the Murzin family and the City of University Park will be awarded  the “Child Impact Award” at the annual luncheon on Tuesday, March 30, at Brook Hollow Golf Club.

In an addition to the presentation of the award, a NorthPark Center-sponsored fashion show under the direction of Rhonda Sargent Chambers will feature clothes from Barney’s New York, Peek. . . Aren’t You Curious, and Play @ Planet Funk.

For ticket and sponsorship information, just check here.

To kick off the buildup for the event, organizers (and a v-e-r-y good looking group, it is) held a party at Hotel ZaZa with cigar rollers, big brimmed hats, lots of liquid refreshments, and some excellent news — Park Place Volvo will be the presenting sponsor of the festivities.

To get the attention of guests arriving via four-wheeled vehicles, the organizers had Tracy Moore and his Chance (a pretty palomino quarter horse pictured with Tracy) next to the entrance. No, Chance ain’t gonna being running in the Derby. He’ll probably just watch the flat screen in his stall.

The party was held in the tented patio with the pool safely covered. Hotel Manager Noel Rodriquez (pictured) looked quite pleased about the turnout and he also was sporting a very nice tan that was purchased down the street. Much healthier than baking in the sun, you know?

In the crowd were some familiar faces from Saturday’s Dallas Museum of Arts’ Junior Associates wow-evening. Hmm, wasn’t that David Dees (pictured) the other night in the ascot? Yup, sure was! For this evening, he wore a more casual red ascot admitting that ascots are “just more comfortable than a tie.”

And then there was Junior Conservancy Vice Chair Allison Edwards. Almost didn’t recognize her from the Saturday night soirée with her hair down and no major jewelry piece around her neck.

Hmm, do we see a certain thread running between the Junior Associates of the DMA and the Junior Conservancy of Lee Park? Ooh, we’d better be very nice to these groups. They may end up running Dallas philanthropic efforts some day.

That smart Lee Park President/CEO John Williams (pictured) evidently recognizes this treasure trove of talent assembled in the Junior Conservancy and was ecstatic about the turnout and the involvement of these make-it-happen-and-have-fun-doing-it crowd.

And what a crowd it is! Ralph Lauren (West Village) GM Colleen Kelly (pictured) set the pace for what-to-wear for the May 1 party in an adorable sun dress with smashing green necklace. Why does one suspect it came from RL’s? . . . Showing off two types of chapeau suggestions for the May 1 event were Michelle Scott (pictured) in a XXL wide brim and Lindsey Thomas in a coquettish cocktail hat with netting. That one won’t keep the sun out of Lindsey’s face, but it sure can catch a look or two. . .  Lee Park & Arlington Hall Conservancy Board of Director’s Executive Officer Peter Dauterman (pictured center with, from the left, Lindsey Thomas, Allison Edwards, and Jose Reyes) was finding time to promote the April 1 “A Spirited Tasting for Lee Park” in the Sky Club of the Mayfair. Only 100 are allowed to attend this Thursday night event for liqueur lovers. Like “Day at the Races,” it has become such a success. Perhaps it’s due to their providing only the best scotches, bourbons, wines, beers, tequilas, and liqueurs. Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Heck, a couple of drinks at Ocean Prime cost more than that! . . . Junior Conservancy’s Scott Turner (pictured) was working the check-in table and getting major back-patting for his joining the LP&AHC’s board of directors. The board is wisely keeping itself vital by bringing in members from the Junior Conservancy. . . To add a bit of “standout” for the occasion, Janielle Dodds and Lindsay Clem (pictured right with Janielle) stopped traffic in their red hot outfits. They weren’t wearing hats, but who noticed? Tally ho, y’all!

Instead, head over to Reverchon Park for the 12th annual Reverchon Roundup.

What will you have to do? Oh, nothing hard. Just help remove trash, clear underbrush, clean up playground equipment, paint, spread mulch, and plant flowers.

Yes, you had planned to do that around your place, but this will be a lot more fun and you won’t be working the entire time.

Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:

• 8:30 to 9 a.m. – Registration and orientation
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. – Reverchon Roundup (that’s when you work)
• 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. – Short program and picnic lunch courtesy of those wonderful folks over at PlainsCapital

And you’ll be in good company with the likes of the Friends of Reverchon Park, City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department – West Region, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children staff and volunteers, Dallas Mavericks representative, Arborilogical Services Inc., PlainsCapital Corporation, Dallas Police Department, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Starbucks, and ExxonMobil.

“We look for specific opportunities to sponsor programs, organizations and sites in Dallas that support our mission to be committed to the care and improvement of our community.  The One-Mile Fitness Trail at the Arboretum fits our mission well and we are pleased to have been given the opportunity to join them,” said Scott Manis, newly-appointed Doctors Hospital CEO.

The Doctors Hospital Fitness Trail features quarter-mile markers and takes walkers throughout the Arboretum’s most beautiful landscapes including the Jonsson Color Garden, Palmer Fern Dell, Paseo de Flores, and around the historic Alexander Camp House. Since 2001 the Fitness Trail has attracted Dallas and Fort Worth residents for their daily walks.

Photo by John Sealander

Unleashed Park is to dogs just as NorthPark is to the fashionable types. See-and-be-seen types scampering about having a heck of a good time in lah-di-dah surroundings.

This Saturday and next (February 13) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Unleashed Park will have dog-loving photographer John Sealander taking Valentine’s Day photos of pets with proceeds benefiting Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas.

Two suggestions:

1. Cats might not be too keen on this photo opp.
2. Make reservations.

• Chairman – Philip Henderson
• President – Matt Lucas
• Vice President – Beth Huddleston
• Treasurer – David Demarest
• Secretary – Pat Snoots

New board members are Jayson Bales, Charles Chen, Sherri Conger, Greg Rohan, Joni Rose, and Tommy Tucker.

Also,the David Stocks Award was given to Keith Nix. The award is given annually to one board member in recognition of outstanding work for the Katy Trail.

Keep up the great work. Dallas is starting to get a reputation for having unique and wonderful parks.

But the hometown honey of the day was that rodeoing banking lady of Chase, Elaine Agather. Looking like a homecoming queen and having the marvelously good taste to walk into the overly-crowded room of media and city alpha dogs with publishing magnate Wick Allison, Elaine actually seemed to blush as accolades kept coming and coming and coming.

And rightly deserved. In this day and age when money is especially tough to come by and banks are under scrutiny, Elaine managed to be a driving force for the donation that will result in a marvelous promenade for The Park.

Yet did anyone notice her fingers? Yup, despite holding up a billboard-size check for the multi-million $$ amount, hardly a soul saw the bandages wrapped around her fingers. Had she cut them while cutting the check? Nope. She slammed them in a door. But no harm. As she said, “I can still write and ride.”

Elaine, honey, let’s take better care of those digits.

Oh, so you thought it was made up of a bunch of old biddies who sit around and conserve.  Wrong! Think the way other end of the social spectrum (pictured).

Rendering provided by Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation

Those wonderful people over at the Woodall Rodgers Park (pictured) Foundation have just added three great additions to its board. They are. . . drum roll, please!

• Nancy Best, president of the Shelter Ministries
• Garrett Boone, chairman emeritus of The Container Store and
• Jeff Jackson, executive VP of Corporate Business Development for Sabre Holdings

The new kids-on-the-park join Chairman Jody Grant, President Linda Owen, Leo Corrigan, Ed Fjordbak, Sheila Grant, John Muse, Rob Walters, and John Zogg.

The group has their work cut out for them. Their goal for the entire board is to raise $30M for the 5.2-acre deck park between Pearl and St. Paul, just down the road from D‘s international headquarters. With this high-powered group shaking the money trees, it will happen, but don’t rush over just yet for two reasons.

1. Park isn’t slated for completion until 2012.
2. The TX DOT folks are closing a frontage road lane this Saturday.

Congratulations to all except those stuck in the Saturday traffic jam!

Robin Baldock

And before the ink dried on that announcement, Ashleigh Falk (pictured) was named to replace Betsy Orten, who has taken a position with the Texas Trees Foundation. Ashleigh, formerly with the Point Group, will assist in membership and development.

They’ll have their work cut out for them. After all, FKT are tackling more than $2M in construction projects, including Snyder’s Union overlooking Lee Park, Dedo’s Place on the Trail’s north end and new entrances at Hall Street and Armstrong Boulevard.

Now, let’s all update our contacts list.