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Woody has arrived, and so has NEW Woody inspired merch! Featuring a one-of-a-kind Picasso inspired hand-drawn rendering of Woody by the artist, Dylan Conner, these items are guaranteed to make you smile. Limited quantities will be available at the Happy Turtles, Trails, and Hot Dogs event on May 13th from 11am-1pm in the park. Come join us, and you can always order online!
Woody is Here! Join us TODAY, May 13th, for Happy Trails, Turtles and Hot Dogs! We are monitoring the weather and will make another announcement just after 10am if we have to change our plans.
Rain, Rain, Go Away! Turtles, Face Painters, and Hot Dogs can stay!
Happy Turtles, Trails, and Hot Dogs is happening this Saturday, May 13th, from 11a-1pm at Woodland Park, 212 Parkview St. This annual FREE family event is TURTALLY special this year as it will feature the unveiling and dedication of our newest park addition - Woody the Turtle, an artistic play sculpture imagined and created by Heights resident and artist Dylan Conner.
Face Painting, special turtle guests, and local organizations will be on hand for all to enjoy. The event will kick-off at 11am with the dedication and speakers starting at 11:30. Hot dogs and root-beer floats will be provided free of charge while supplies last.
We are watching the weather and will communicate any changes as needed.
A HUGE thank you to St. Thomas High School Environmental Club for partnering with FWP and hosting an outstanding clean up and graffiti removal campaign on March 4th! IWA and Duchesne students made tremendous contributions as well.
What an impressive group of students who demonstrated such hard work! The results speak for themselves - thousands of pounds of rubbish, 4 tires, and, well, a car (sort-of!)!
White Oak Bayou Association also commented - “What great work. Thank you so much. We know it’s tough, but so rewarding to see these places free of trash.” Thanks WOBA, STH, IWS and Duchesne!
Its been an
action-packed 1Q 2023!
From Earth Day to Hot Dogs, there’s more to come!
We’ve still got some great events planned before the heat of summer hits us! See below for FWP events and the Woodland Community Center Schedule (Note: Events and dates/times may change without notice. Check the FWP website for updates.)
FWP Events:
April 4th 6:15pm - Board Meeting. Contact Board President Kelli Fereday if you would like to attend or want to add an item to the Board’s agenda.
April 11th 8:30am-Noon - Travis Visits Woodland Park
April 15th 7:30am - Audubon Bird Survey. Monthly every third Saturday. Contact Mary Goldsby to be added to the email list.
April 20th - Ontility Workday
April 23rd 11am-4pm - Earth Day Community Clean-Up and Workday. Contact Board Members Lauren Lindsay or Amanda Brown for more information
May 2 6:15pm - Board Meeting. Contact Board President Kelli Fereday if you would like to attend or want to add an item to the Board’s agenda.
May 13th 11am - Happy Turtles, Trails, and Hot Dogs! Join in this annual free and fun event which, this year, includes the dedication of Woody the Turtle.
Community Center Schedule: Open weekdays Noon-8pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. Contact Center Manager Rob Messa for more information on activities or to book the craft room.
Every Weekday: After-School Enrichment Program
Monday: Adult Volleyball 6-7:30pm
Tuesday: Free Play Basketball 6-8pm
Wednesday: Teen & Tween Volleyball 6-7:30 pm
Thursday: Free Play Basketball 6-8p
Saturday: Pickleball 10am-Noon
Are you wondering where in the world is Woody the Turtle? Fear not! As of mid-March, Woody is "March”-ing to completion. He truly is a work of art - as unique as Woodland Park and Woodland Heights.
Local artist Dylan Conner is hard at work bringing this piece to life. Ironically, much like the re-eared slider itself, progress is slow and steady.
Dylan shared that construction of Woody is a very unique process, where the pipe sections have to be manipulated inch by inch (literally). In fact, the bending of just one of the 20 leg pipes can take up to 5 hours to form and fit! Fabrication is expected to take another 3-4 weeks, with powder-coating and City of Houston playground certification to follow.
Dylan further explained that “I should have the last two front legs pipes formed and fit and our 5/16” thick webbed turtle foot plates cut out and tacked on this week. When the front foot plates are tacked on we will really start to get a sense of how the finished legs will look. I couldn’t be happier with the work. It is such a privilege to have the support of FWP and our neighborhood in bringing this unique interactive sculpture to life and I am forever grateful for that.”
The FWP Board is planning the official dedication at the annual “Happy Trails and Hot Dogs” event - renamed for this year to “Happy Turtle, Trails, and Hot Dogs!” on May 13th from 11am-1pm. Save the Date and watch our website for more information.
And thank you again to all of our generous donors who made this possible! We hope to see you out celebrating with us on May 13th as well.
Thank you to Cub Scout Dens 9 and 10 from Pack 88, from SPJST Lodge 88! Nineteen boys and girls worked to clean-up Woodland Park and Little White Oak Bayou on March 26th as part of work towards a merit badge. Their organizer, Andrea Gorney told FWP that “They had a lot of fun and a few times I overheard the girls exclaim “why do people litter?!!”.” Good question, ladies!
After a hard day of cleanup, the Scouts learned about the history of Woodland Park from Board Member and Treasurer Pat Rutledge as part of another merit badge. Then - because if there is one thing that Cub Scouts have, it’s energy - they tried out the new Gaga ball area!!
If your group would like to organize a clean-up or workday, please contact FWP at info@friendsofwoodlandark.org.
Thank you Cub Scouts!
