FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS, JUNE 25, 2009 – Thursday night Keep Flower Mound Beautiful (KFMB) sought approval for the final plan of the Spring Lake Park Project in memory of Marianne Kilpatrick.  To no one’s surprise, the Board was overwhelmingly supportive of the project- voting unanimously to approve the plan as presented.

  Marianne Kilpatrick, a 39-year-old Flower Mound resident, passed away suddenly last November after collapsing while speaking at a community meeting attended by many of her friends and neighbors.  Mrs. Kilpatrick left behind her husband, Pete Kilpatrick, and three year old daughter, Mackenzie.   

As Mrs. Kilpatrick was an active volunteer, her friends conceived of the idea of a community service project to beautify Spring Lake Park in her honor.  They solicited the support of Keep Flower Mound Beautiful, who enthusiastically accepted non-profit sponsorship of the project.  KFMB participated with town staff to develop the new expanded Adopt-a-Spot program.  The new program, approved by PALS in March, allows for citizen-led enhancement to the parks.  The Spring Lake Park Project is the first major project to seek approval under this new program.  

 The Spring Lake Park Project plan includes Texas native plantings, a fountain, a fitness trail, education stations about the park’s ecosystem, an amphitheater for scout or other outdoor small group meetings, a butterfly garden and wildflower field.  If fundraising goes as planned, and all modules are implemented, the butterfly garden and education stations will be the first in Flower Mound’s park system.   

The project team has rallied a number of volunteers to make the project happen.  The Bridlewood Garden Club led the design. “ We enjoy gardening and nature.  Many of us visit the park frequently.  We are gratified to be able to combine our gardening gifts to create something that will be a blessing to the community, “ explained Pat Amstutz, Bridlewood Garden Club President, when asked about her club’s involvement.  Several Eagle Scouts have signed on to lead elements of the plan such as the fitness stations and the amphitheater.    Businesses have begun to come forward to offer sponsorship.  Various groups from book clubs to Moms groups have held fundraisers for the project.

Additional community support is needed to be able to implement the entire design.  Just over 1/3 of the funding needed to make the project happen has been collected or pledged.  KFMB is looking for business sponsors and individual donations for the remaining funding.  Donations can be made online at KFMB’s secure donation website:  www.nextdonations.com. Click on the Keep Flower Mound Beautiful link.  Business sponsors can email info@kfmb.org for more information.