The Trinity Trust Announces Plans for Opening of Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge

On February 8, The Trinity Trust hosted more than 150 River Rat and Rat Pack members and prospective members to hear the latest exciting plans for the opening of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. The celebratory weekend is set for Oct. 14-16, 2011, on the bridge connecting downtown Dallas to West Dallas over the Trinity River. Community leader Lynn McBee, The Trinity Trust and Trinity Commons Foundation are leading the planning for this momentous occasion.

Toni Brinker, Ann Schooler

McBee added, “Put October 14, 15 and 16 on your calendar now. On October 14, we’ll have a bridge party with yummy food, delicious cocktails, entertainment, and of course, fabulous fireworks.” On Saturday, October 15, we’ll have a car parade, ribbon cutting, entertainment, a street fair and fireworks. This day is free, and all the money we’ve raised will help ensure that every citizen can attend on Saturday. On Sunday, we’ll have the bridge open so everyone can walk on it one final time before it’s opened to cars.”

Melanie Ferguson, Vicki Interrante, Cyndi Bassel

McBee then introduced Melanie Ferguson, The Trinity Trust’s new director of outreach and development. “We’ve stolen her from the Getty in L.A.,” added McBee. Ferguson added, “This project is dynamic. We are reviving the river, and we want your help. We want all of you here to take ownership of the Trinity landscape and to get other fellow citizens involved. We will soon kick off 'It's My Trinity,' a campaign to get people closer to Trinity-related events like the bridge openings and the natural amenities of the forest and river. For example, we may pull abandoned tires out of the Great Trinity Forest, which is the largest urban hardwood forest in the country, and Dallas' natural heritage. Stay tuned for more details."

Gail Thomas, Lyda Hill, Lynn McBee

The honorary event chairs for the grand opening weekend include the three Dallas mayors who have worked and continue to work on The Trinity project: The Honorable Ron Kirk, The Honorable Laura Miller, and The Honorable Tom Leppert. As Mayor of Dallas, Kirk began the vision of reclaiming the Trinity River. Miller secured support locally, statewide and federally. Leppert has continued the master plan of The Trinity project that his predecessors began.

Sponsorships and underwriting will be available soon. For more information on the weekend, contact Janie Bush at 214.740.1616 or visit http://www.thetrinitytrust.org