Arlington, TX

The city is celebrating Lake Arlington’s 50th anniversary with a “Light up the Lake” celebration on July 3.  The free event will include a musical performance by The Josh Weathers Band, bounce houses and, after sundown, a lighted boat regatta and fireworks show.  Festivities start at 5 p.m. at Richard Simpson Park, 6300 W. Arkansas Lane.

Mayor Robert Cluck will be on hand to unveil a new urban-forestry initiative, Let’s Enhance Arlington’s Forests (LEAF).  Residents can pick up applications for the program, which seeks to improve air quality and beautify neighborhoods by providing free trees to residents and businesses.

Interesting facts about Lake Arlington:

• In February 1954, Arlington was facing a drought and in need of water for its 40,000 residents. City leaders, including Mayor Tom Vandergriff, called for a bond election for the construction of a lake. Voters approved the project.
• On March 24, 1957, construction began and the drought continued. The project had limited assets and a 2 year projected completion. Some began calling the project ”Vandergriff’s Folly.”
• About one year later, Construction was complete. The rains came, and boy did they. The 15 billion gallon lake that was supposed to take two years to fill was full in only 27 days!  “Vandergriff’s Folly” was now dubbed “Miracle Lake.”  (Rumor has it, it filled up so fast that they couldn’t get all of the construction equipment out and some of it is still down there today.)

Sounds like 1957 had a rainy season much like we’re having this year.

Sources:  Fort Worth Star-Telegram, City of Arlington Update

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