The Trinity River Audubon Center set a lovely scene for an evening hosted by the Trinity Trust Foundation, the organization that helps raise funds for the $2.2 billion urban park project to add bridges, lakes, amphitheaters and ball fields to the city.
The occasion? A "Toast to the Trails" and groundbreaking celebration of the Margaret McDermott Bridge.
If you were lucky enough to be invited, you were certainly among Dallas' elite — Margot and Ross Perot, Lynn and Allan McBee, Mickie and Mike Rawlings, Catherine and Will Rose, Nancy Cain Marcus, Lyda Hill, Bill Vowell, Joanne Stroud, Nelda Cain Pickens, Carol and Don Glendenning, and U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson.
A three-piece orchestra provided soothing background sounds while supporters sipped on "Margaretinis" and dined on an elegant meal provided by Bolsa.
"What Santiago and Tina Calatrava have given us is a hike and bike trail," said Mary McDermott Cook, chair of the Trinity Trust. "The Margaret McDermott Bridge, with the biking and pedestrian elements designed by Calatrava, will allow more connectivity to the Southern White Rock Creek."
The spotlight turned to McDermott as she broke through the turf on a model of the bridge, with current mayor Mike Rawlings and former mayor Laura Miller standing by.
"We are so appreciative of Margaret McDermott and her generous spirit," said Gail Thomas, CEO of Trinity Trust. "Both the bridge and the new trails will only elevate Dallas' reputation as one with exceptional architectural bridges and outdoor hike and bike trails."
Throughout the night, supporters chatted about the upcoming campaign in which the Trinity Trust will raise funds for the 14.3-mile trail from the Audubon center to the Dallas Arboretum and the trail through the Great Trinity Forest.
To end the celebratory dinner on a high note, Ross Perot led the crowd in shouting "hip, hip, hooray" three times in McDermott's honor. "Who else would deserve to have a bridge named after her other than Margaret McDermott?" he said.
Ted Enloe, Bess Enloe
