Start the Weekend Off Right: “Don’t Frack My Fairway” Rig Protest Today

Looking for something to do this Friday late afternoon? Why not join concerned Dallas citizens for a fun little encounter with officialdom out at the newly made-over "Luna Vista" municipal golf course by North I-35.

Members of Dallas Residents at Risk – a coalition that includes Downwinders – will be showing up at the grand re-opening of what was formally known as the LB Houston Golf Course with their new 15-foot tall mock drilling rig in tow. They'll be trying to set it up next to the course clubhouse where ceremonies attracting City Councilmember Monica Alonzo, Dallas Park Board Vice President Gabriel Soto and Dallas Park and Recreation officials will be taking place.

The course is city parkland and at least three sites within the course have already been leased by the city to Trinity East for fracking – including one adjacent to the driving range.

After two years and a list of task force recommendations, the Dallas City Council is still wrestling with the problems created in 2006 when they took over $30 million from gas operators for leases on city-owned property. The decision was not publicized and there were no public hearings.

Despite not drilling on those sites in the intervening period, gas operators are continuing to seek permission to exploit them. Many of those leases are either in parkland like the Luna Vista sites, or in the Trinity River floodplain. City Council member Sheffie Kadane and others have endorsed park drilling, saying the land is underutilized.

Yes, it's going to be a little chilly. But we need to confront City Hall at every opportunity and this is a prime one. None of the city's press materials that feature beautiful pictures of the course mentions that those views will be marred by taller-than-15-foot drilling rigs. It's up to citizens to raise these issues.

When: 4:30 – 5:30 today/Friday       Where: Luna Vista Golf Course Clubhouse, 11223 Luna Road, Dallas