Marci Novak Winter didn’t intend to lead a movement of volunteers devoted to the care and betterment of White Rock Lake. She and some neighbors just wanted to purchase some signs, something to discourage people from littering at White Rock.
“We wanted to do a teensy something to give back to the lake, she says. It was a little thing we wanted to do.”
So Winter and friends put together a benefit concert featuring folk singer John McCutcheon, raising $23,000.
“We did a little survey to find out what people would like to see at the lake, what they would like to buy with the money.”
It snowballed.
A better White Rock Lake
Each year since we began publishing in 1991, the Advocate has solicited nominations annually from readers to honor a local resident or volunteer who is making our neighborhood a better place to live. When reviewing nominations, we look for someone who works diligently and selflessly behind-the-scenes — someone who is a doer rather than a talker, a hard worker instead of a media ham.
We found all these qualities in Winter, whose leadership-by-example keeps For the Love of the Lake, the group she founded, active. In two years, the group has: painted murals in six pairs of restrooms depicting scenes from White Rock Lake, such as joggers, birds and the view of Sunset Bay; created Second Saturday Shoreline Spruce-Up to bring together hundreds of volunteers to pick up litter from the shoreline and trails each month; sponsored “Recycle at the Rock” to build and install 400 litter and recycling receptacles (purchased with funds raised by the group, grant money (TRNCC) and donations by corporate sponsors); and organized “Painting in the Park” to paint buildings throughout the park.
By holding fundraisers such as Bake for the Lake at Great Harvest Bread Co. and Rock for the Rock at Coca-Cola Starplex, the group has raised money toward purchasing the following: 26 benches with bike racks; nine freeze-proof, handicap-accessible drinking fountains; 40 tables and 80 chairs for park buildings; the White Rock Lake marquee at Buckner and Lake Highlands; and a 10-station outdoor exercise station (to be installed later this year); and a children’s train at Tee Pee Hill.
Daleen Maxwell, a FTLOTL volunteer who nominated Winter for this award, says of FTOTL’s leader: “As a result of her efforts, the lake is much cleaner and many improvements have been made. She has mobilized thousands of volunteers over the past two years and raised money from a variety of sources … individuals, corporations and even a grant. She is an extraordinary woman who is turning her vision of a beautiful White Rock Lake into a reality.”
A can-do philosophy
Winter is proud of the improvements made to White Rock, and emphasizes at every opportunity that a group effort led to these successes. A variety of talent from our neighborhood has made it possible for FTLOTL to reach its goals, she says.
“Everything happens with a group of people,” she says. “This is a community project. It’s not about Marci. Everybody is valuable. The person who is here all the time, and the person who gives us the one little gem. Even the formation of FTLOTL wasn’t accomplished alone.”
Winter says she and her husband, Randall, started the group together.
“I get more attention because I talk more,” she says with a laugh.
Winter describes herself as the juggler, “the one who juggles all these things,” she says. “How to get that idea out there. If someone has a good idea, try to make it happen. Most of the work done in FTLOTL is based on answering a simple question: What can be done today? We look at small bits of the big picture,” Winter says. “To get a bench, a fountain or a trash can, what can we do today? What can we do with bucket of paint today? That’s what we’re all about.”
Building spirit
The Second Saturday Shoreline Spruce-up is a good example of how Winter achieves results as a juggler. The Adopt-A-Shoreline program (in which groups agree to help clean a particular section along White Rock) already was in place. Winter worked with the City and Park Department to slice the territory differently so that more groups could participate, and to coax new and existing groups to come out once a month instead of only once a year for the annual Trash Bash.
“So much litter comes in from creeks and general use,” Winter says. “We wanted to do something on a more regular, organized basis. Take the spirit of the Trash Bash and do more often. In April ’96 we had the first Second Saturday Spruce-Up”, she says. “It’s been wonderful. Given lots of people a stake in the lake. With the hard work also comes a sense of camaraderie with fellow volunteers, and pride in the lake. I heard one volunteer point out to his daughter, ‘I painted that.’ Just beaming with pride.”
We try to make everything fun,” she adds. “It’s a lot of work, but it has to be done with a light spirit.”
A real go-getter
Debbie Haney, city park maintenance supervisor, has watched Winter complete projects that seemed impossible to pull off. That includes the feat of building, installing and maintaining the 400 trash and recycling receptacles now available around the lake.
“When she wants something to get done she won’t back off until it gets done,” Haney says. “She’s a joy to work with.”
Says Mayor Pro Tem Mary Poss: “She’s passionate about what they’re doing up at the lake. It’s the type of participation and commitment that enhances the entire community. Marci’s a strong advocate for the lake, and her commitment has been remarkable.”
The results of commitment are easy to see.
“Two years ago, the litter was awful,” Haney says. “I used to go home and have nightmares about it. Now I can drive by with ease.”
A lake lover
Winter moved to the White Rock area in 1977, drawn to the tree-lined street of San Fernando Way near White Rock Lake. Then, the area was the best-kept secret in Dallas.
“No one knew how to get here,” she says. “You had to give explicit directions. It was this hidden pocket of beauty. That’s what’s so wonderful about the lake. Lots of natural beauty going for it. It’s an oasis in the city.”
The lake, Winter says, does so much for the soul of the city. Cyclists, joggers, moms pushing strollers, couples sitting on the docks — Winter enjoys the way the lake is a hub of activity. Jogging was once her favorite lake activity.
“I have to say, I haven’t been as dedicated to running since I became obsessed with picking up litter,” she says, laughing. “If you never pick up a piece of trash, you’re fine. If you ever just pick up one piece of trash, it’s very addictive. Once you pick up that first piece, it’s hard to ignore that second piece or that third piece.”
Future of FTLOTL
Winter wants to build on successes such as the Second Saturday Spruce-Ups, involving more groups and increasing attendance as it becomes a “big ongoing event.” Other plans include improving signage in the park and information kiosks containing information such as a map, park events and cigarette-butt holders (“They can’t put them out in trash can. We want to put these out so people can do the right thing.”).
Not to be forgotten are the signs that started it all. Winter says 24 attractive wooden signs with upbeat anti-litter messages will be displayed around the lake. As usual, there is no shortage of ideas. Lighting and security are two areas are now being discussed. ”
People bring up suggestions all the time of what we can do,” Winter says. “We’re always open to ideas.”
Winter laughs when she is asked about how time is spent on volunteer work for the lake.
“I don’t want to think about it,” she says. “I consider it a second, unpaid full-time job. But the results make all the time well-spent. So much of it has been positive. It has such good moments, so many good people involved. How can I not want to be part of that?”
The kind of moments that hit home with Winter are often the simplest: watching a couple with a dog soak in the scenery, seeing a jogger traveling along a litter-free trail.
“One moment I drove around lake with not a drop of litter to be seen, and I started crying,” she says. “Those are my crybaby moments when I take such pride in what our group has done.”
