Remember Battle Over Winfrey Point Parking? Proposed White Rock Lake Boat House Has Peninsula Residents Up in Arms Again

Share News:

Back in May we reported on the Dallas Arboretum’s attempt to add a parking lot on Winfrey Point. Residents in the nearby Emerald Isle neighborhood balked at the idea and organized several protests outside the arboretum’s gates, just as the Chihuly exhibit was opening, too.

It was quite the foofaraw.

Turns out, though, that White Rock Lake residents have been blindsided by a development again. At least that’s what they claim.

We received a note from an angry neighbor who is asking people to write letters and show up at City Hall on Nov. 14, which is when the Dallas United Crew (nee HP Crew) boathouse will be on the agenda.

“A group of wealthy Highland Parkers has secretly convinced our City Council to build a GIANT “boat house” on the east side of the lake. The size of this facility is monstrous. It occupies the mass of three football fields. They are allowed to lease the facility at will as well as serve liquor by the drink. ThIs will no doubt effect your ability to continue your running events as there are no restrictions on the size of the events, nor are there any limitations to the time, gate access (they are allowed to unlock the gates that currently impede motor traffic on the running and bike trails in this area).  Clearly drinking, mass amounts of motor traffic, and runners do not mix).”

So, why does Dallas United Crew need their own boathouse when White Rock Lake already has a huge one? Well, there appears to be some unconfirmed drama surrounding that.

There’s a website with more information on the opposition here (Caution: The site looks like something constructed in the days of Angelfire). Want to peruse the documents from the Park Board meeting and approval? Here they are.

Joanna England is the Executive Editor at CandysDirt.com and covers the North Texas housing market.

No Comments

  1. Candy Evans on November 7, 2012 at 12:06 am

    I have been emailing these people while in Hawaii, and plan an interview asap. We want to thoroughly examine any adverse effect on property values. Thanks for posting!

  2. Candy Evans on November 7, 2012 at 12:06 am

    I have been emailing these people while in Hawaii, and plan an interview asap. We want to thoroughly examine any adverse effect on property values. Thanks for posting!

  3. White's Hot on November 7, 2012 at 1:18 am

    Tremendous issues here. I'm very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and I am looking ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

  4. White's Hot on November 7, 2012 at 1:18 am

    Tremendous issues here. I'm very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and I am looking ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

  5. jd on November 7, 2012 at 8:40 am

    If a group is ostensibly about transparency you would think they would have the names of actual people listed on their site. (which Candy's warning for is inadequate)

  6. jd on November 7, 2012 at 8:40 am

    If a group is ostensibly about transparency you would think they would have the names of actual people listed on their site. (which Candy's warning for is inadequate)

  7. Becky on November 7, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    This is truly awful news! I grew up around White Rock Lake. It's part of my childhood, my teen years, and my adult years. I am a baby boomer who doesn't live as nearby as I used to, but I still frequent the lake often with my husband and family. Maybe its the election, but I'm truly tired of Big Money trying to control things for the rest of us average 99%. Highland Parkers can go anywhere….but the average White Rock enthusiast isn't made of money and we love the lake. trails, and boathouse just the way they are. We don't want anything to intrude on the peace and tranquil atmosphere that we enjoy at White Rock. Just my humble opinion.

  8. Becky on November 7, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    This is truly awful news! I grew up around White Rock Lake. It's part of my childhood, my teen years, and my adult years. I am a baby boomer who doesn't live as nearby as I used to, but I still frequent the lake often with my husband and family. Maybe its the election, but I'm truly tired of Big Money trying to control things for the rest of us average 99%. Highland Parkers can go anywhere….but the average White Rock enthusiast isn't made of money and we love the lake. trails, and boathouse just the way they are. We don't want anything to intrude on the peace and tranquil atmosphere that we enjoy at White Rock. Just my humble opinion.

  9. Gary McDonnell on November 7, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    There are so many inaccurate allegations in this article that it's hard to know where to start. Whoever wrote the note that is quoted in the article is, to put it plainly, lying.

    First off, there's no drama / conflict between DUC and the White Rock Boathouse folks. In fact, the White Rock Boathouse has publicly endorsed the DUC boathouse project. There are multiple groups that row out of the WR boathouse; all are growing. There's not enough space at the existing boathouse to meet the future needs of rowing and other paddlesports in the Dallas area.

    Dallas United has students from 25 schools. It is open to any Dallas area middle school or high school student.

    As to secrecy, that is a laugh. The team met multiple times with the White Rock Lake Task Force over the past year and has had multiple public meetings that were well attended.

    Also, the new boathouse is not anywhere near the size of 3 football fields. The building is 9500 square feet – about 1/6th the size of a football field. The total space it occupies is only about 1/10th that of one of the neighboring sailing clubs.

    Also, I would note that this project will be built entirely with private funds and will be owned by the City of Dallas. No taxpayer money is involved.

    There is also no provision whatsoever that allows the team to change the traffic flow or to open up the gates. Point in fact, one reason for the boathouse location is that all traffic comes off of Mockingbird and stays out of the residential areas.

    Nor does the team plan on having regattas at the Lake.

    It's interesting that none of the people who oppose the boathouse have ever had the courtesy to contact DUC to get any of the facts. They've simply created a fantasy world where their lies are real.

    Want more information about the boathouse and the planned programs including those for the disabled? Go to http://boathouse.dallasunitedcrew.org.

    • Lakewooder on November 8, 2012 at 12:50 pm

      If Highland Park will allow reciprocity for Bryan Adams and Woodrow Wilson to use their indoor football practice facilty, I will heartily support their use of our lake.

  10. Gary McDonnell on November 7, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    There are so many inaccurate allegations in this article that it's hard to know where to start. Whoever wrote the note that is quoted in the article is, to put it plainly, lying.

    First off, there's no drama / conflict between DUC and the White Rock Boathouse folks. In fact, the White Rock Boathouse has publicly endorsed the DUC boathouse project. There are multiple groups that row out of the WR boathouse; all are growing. There's not enough space at the existing boathouse to meet the future needs of rowing and other paddlesports in the Dallas area.

    Dallas United has students from 25 schools. It is open to any Dallas area middle school or high school student.

    As to secrecy, that is a laugh. The team met multiple times with the White Rock Lake Task Force over the past year and has had multiple public meetings that were well attended.

    Also, the new boathouse is not anywhere near the size of 3 football fields. The building is 9500 square feet – about 1/6th the size of a football field. The total space it occupies is only about 1/10th that of one of the neighboring sailing clubs.

    Also, I would note that this project will be built entirely with private funds and will be owned by the City of Dallas. No taxpayer money is involved.

    There is also no provision whatsoever that allows the team to change the traffic flow or to open up the gates. Point in fact, one reason for the boathouse location is that all traffic comes off of Mockingbird and stays out of the residential areas.

    Nor does the team plan on having regattas at the Lake.

    It's interesting that none of the people who oppose the boathouse have ever had the courtesy to contact DUC to get any of the facts. They've simply created a fantasy world where their lies are real.

    Want more information about the boathouse and the planned programs including those for the disabled? Go to http://boathouse.dallasunitedcrew.org.

    • Lakewooder on November 8, 2012 at 12:50 pm

      If Highland Park will allow reciprocity for Bryan Adams and Woodrow Wilson to use their indoor football practice facilty, I will heartily support their use of our lake.

  11. Nancy on November 7, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    Thank you Gary. It is nice to read some facts and have a link to information/answers rather than made up fears.

  12. Nancy on November 7, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    Thank you Gary. It is nice to read some facts and have a link to information/answers rather than made up fears.

  13. GotMilk on November 10, 2012 at 10:23 am

    YOUR lake???? All Dallas taxpayers pay for the use and upkeep of this lake — that was supposed to end all of Dallas' water problems — when it was built, in 1919. You may have the pleasure of living nearby, but it is not, and will never be YOUR lake.
    This rabble-rousing sounds like the same "ill-informed but willing to lie to get attention" person that opposed the biggest pro-Dallas event in recent history: Chihuly at the Arboretum. A malcontent that has little else to do. That person(s) needs to get a life…..

    • Lakewooder on November 12, 2012 at 6:55 pm

      Take a deep breath. I meant "our" as in Dallas.

  14. GotMilk on November 10, 2012 at 10:23 am

    YOUR lake???? All Dallas taxpayers pay for the use and upkeep of this lake — that was supposed to end all of Dallas' water problems — when it was built, in 1919. You may have the pleasure of living nearby, but it is not, and will never be YOUR lake.
    This rabble-rousing sounds like the same "ill-informed but willing to lie to get attention" person that opposed the biggest pro-Dallas event in recent history: Chihuly at the Arboretum. A malcontent that has little else to do. That person(s) needs to get a life…..

    • Lakewooder on November 12, 2012 at 6:55 pm

      Take a deep breath. I meant "our" as in Dallas.

Leave a Comment