By: Justin Shelby and Brittany Scruggs
LAKE O’ THE PINES, Texas – As recreation season ramps up, so have the safety measures. The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, partnered with a local group, Friends of Lake O' the Pines, on a project to update the lake’s courtesy docks, April 22, 2024.
The partnership for the project became official in June of 2023, with the parts and materials ordered, and the project being completed in April.
The total cost was estimated at $27k to cover the materials and labor. The Corps of Engineers handshake program provided $18,014 in funding for the parts, supplies, and materials, while Friends of Lake O’ the Pines provided $8,386 in volunteer services.
Cody Berry, Natural Resources Manager, recalled the importance of this partnership.
“Next to flood control, one of our main purposes is to provide safe opportunities to visitors for recreation at the lake,” Berry said.
The Corps of Engineers’ staff at Lake O’ the Pines maintains and operates multiple courtesy EZ Dock systems on the reservoir which are strategically located around recreational facilities to maximize ease of use to its 650K annual visitors.
Current president of Friends of Lake O’ the Pines, Kristi Thomas, spoke on the importance of their partnership with the Corps of Engineers.
Thomas said, “We appreciate the Corps of Engineers for letting us be a part of making our community safer.” She continued, “We live in an area with a diverse waterway—from fresh water to bayou, and I know our entire staff, especially Becky Rockwell, the previous president, and board member Karla Garcia, are dedicated to keeping our water ways maintained while continuing to foster a positive relationship for years to come with the Army Corps of Engineers!”
This project retrofitted the existing dock at Johnson Creek day use with safety railing, while still allowing utilization as a courtesy dock. In addition, kayak and canoe launch platforms were added to recreation areas at Johnson Creek day use, Buckhorn Creek campground, and Lakeside day use.
This partnership allowed both USACE and the local partner to work together to complete a much-needed amenities upgrade for the community, as no kayak and canoe launches were previously present on the lake.
Thomas recalled, “We’ve already received a lot of buzz around the new additions because other groups have reached out and are eager to come out to the lake and try the safety features. That’s a win in our eyes.”
Working together reinforced the continued positive relationships between USACE and the local community and introduced new members of the local group to each other to accomplish a goal-orientated mission.
This project increased safety and ease-of-use for all users.
Berry praised the work accomplished between the Corps of Engineers and Friends of Lake O’ the Pines. “This was a successful team effort on both our parts,” said Berry. “We encourage everyone to come out to Lake O’ the Pines this summer and try the new features of the docks. As always, remember safety, wear your life jacket, and be aware of changing lake conditions,” she continued.
The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, places a keen emphasis on having a ‘Team Effort’ mindset that ties directly back to supporting local communities and partners while delivering a safe location for recreators to enjoy. The handshake agreement fully embodies this mindset and will continue to provide a safe environment for generations to come!