Chris Baab Memorial - Tribute Benches
Donation protected
YOU DID IT! You all are AMAZING!!! $10K in 9 days! We have the funds to get the ball rolling on the two tribute projects to honor our friend Chris Baab! We have set up a separate account to keep these donations apart from any personal accounts and will be drawing checks from that account to pay the fees directly to the two different cities' parks departments.
We are keeping the Go Fund Me open and have increased the goal so as not to deter additional donations, since the project at Trinity Trail can be expanded to include additional seating within the design or add features such as a water fountain. Please continue to share, and if you haven’t donated yet, please know yours is still welcome and will go to further enhancing the Trinity Trail project.
In case you haven't seen these in the comment thread, I'm adding details and photos here of the two projects. We will continue to update as formal plans and final numbers come in for each of the tributes. I hope you like these ideas, especially the Trinity Trail concept, as much as I do! I look forward to all of us celebrating Chris and his joy of riding again soon as we meet at or ride to these wonderful tributes! Thank you so much for your contribution these memorials!
River Legacy Installation Project
Estimate ~$2,500
Dennis Welpe, the trail steward for River Legacy Mountain Bike Trails, pointed me to the Parks of Arlington. The option here is a standard bench, matching existing park benches, to be placed along the dirt trails with a plaque. Dennis helped to scout out the perfect location. Here is an idea of what this might look like although it will be placed inside the trail so could be of another material. The image below the bench is the artistic rendering of the plaque.
Trinity Trails Installation
Estimate ~$7,000 - ???
Mayor Betsy Price, opened the door to the City of Fort Worth Parks Department, where there is quite a bit more flexibility. We have the opportunity along Trinity Trails to do something beyond a standard bench, that offers a place to gather as well as sit, and that is more representative of Chris and his love of cycling.
I talked with a Park Planner / architect, Patrick (a cyclist who just moved to the area), who wanted to learn a little more about Chris. I told him some stories about Chris and the places he loved. Following our conversation he sketched out many possible concepts. When I met with him and talked through his ideas, I fell in love with this design idea of gathering spot - a bicycle in image made of benches and other items - that faces the river along the Trinity Trail. When standing on the trail you will be able to see the bike! It can be done in as small or grand a scale as the funding will allow and we can accomplish mid-scale size with about $7,000. More than that increases the scope and can increase the number of benches or add a water fountain, for example.
Now that we have the initial funds, the park planner is working on the formal plan to include specifics, as well as what additional seating or components would cost so we decide how the surplus and any late contributions might go to enhance the project. We will likely meet with him soon to scope out the trail location too!
Here is the initial sketch. We'll provide updates as soon as they are available!
Again, I cannot say how impressive you all and your love for Chris is to me and his family!!!
We love you, and we ALL love Chris! <3
Debbie
*************************************************
Chris was a presence in the DFW cycling community, and there was nobody more dedicated to helping, encouraging and mentoring others. He had a ready smile, a joke or two, and was always creating opportunities for old and new friends to join up for a ride. He was a true ambassador for cycling. He was loved and respected by many and truly one of a kind. If you are like me, you have many Chris Baab stories of your own!
Funds raised will be used to create tribute benches in some of Chris's favorite trails in the DFW area - River Legacy Park and Trinity Trails. We'd like to accomplish installations in the spring if possible and the amount of funds will determine how much we can do. Please help us to establish these lasting tributes to Chris; to offer riders a brief rest stop; a place to gather, reflect, and remember what he meant to us.
Thanks,
Debbie
We are keeping the Go Fund Me open and have increased the goal so as not to deter additional donations, since the project at Trinity Trail can be expanded to include additional seating within the design or add features such as a water fountain. Please continue to share, and if you haven’t donated yet, please know yours is still welcome and will go to further enhancing the Trinity Trail project.
In case you haven't seen these in the comment thread, I'm adding details and photos here of the two projects. We will continue to update as formal plans and final numbers come in for each of the tributes. I hope you like these ideas, especially the Trinity Trail concept, as much as I do! I look forward to all of us celebrating Chris and his joy of riding again soon as we meet at or ride to these wonderful tributes! Thank you so much for your contribution these memorials!
River Legacy Installation Project
Estimate ~$2,500
Dennis Welpe, the trail steward for River Legacy Mountain Bike Trails, pointed me to the Parks of Arlington. The option here is a standard bench, matching existing park benches, to be placed along the dirt trails with a plaque. Dennis helped to scout out the perfect location. Here is an idea of what this might look like although it will be placed inside the trail so could be of another material. The image below the bench is the artistic rendering of the plaque.
Trinity Trails Installation
Estimate ~$7,000 - ???
Mayor Betsy Price, opened the door to the City of Fort Worth Parks Department, where there is quite a bit more flexibility. We have the opportunity along Trinity Trails to do something beyond a standard bench, that offers a place to gather as well as sit, and that is more representative of Chris and his love of cycling.
I talked with a Park Planner / architect, Patrick (a cyclist who just moved to the area), who wanted to learn a little more about Chris. I told him some stories about Chris and the places he loved. Following our conversation he sketched out many possible concepts. When I met with him and talked through his ideas, I fell in love with this design idea of gathering spot - a bicycle in image made of benches and other items - that faces the river along the Trinity Trail. When standing on the trail you will be able to see the bike! It can be done in as small or grand a scale as the funding will allow and we can accomplish mid-scale size with about $7,000. More than that increases the scope and can increase the number of benches or add a water fountain, for example.
Now that we have the initial funds, the park planner is working on the formal plan to include specifics, as well as what additional seating or components would cost so we decide how the surplus and any late contributions might go to enhance the project. We will likely meet with him soon to scope out the trail location too!
Here is the initial sketch. We'll provide updates as soon as they are available!
Again, I cannot say how impressive you all and your love for Chris is to me and his family!!!
We love you, and we ALL love Chris! <3
Debbie
*************************************************
Chris was a presence in the DFW cycling community, and there was nobody more dedicated to helping, encouraging and mentoring others. He had a ready smile, a joke or two, and was always creating opportunities for old and new friends to join up for a ride. He was a true ambassador for cycling. He was loved and respected by many and truly one of a kind. If you are like me, you have many Chris Baab stories of your own!
Funds raised will be used to create tribute benches in some of Chris's favorite trails in the DFW area - River Legacy Park and Trinity Trails. We'd like to accomplish installations in the spring if possible and the amount of funds will determine how much we can do. Please help us to establish these lasting tributes to Chris; to offer riders a brief rest stop; a place to gather, reflect, and remember what he meant to us.
Thanks,
Debbie
Organizer
Suzanne Smith
Organizer
Hurst, TX