Hal and Ted Barker, two brothers and long-time activists, are taking a stand to protect White Rock Lake, leveraging a recently approved charter amendment in their efforts against the city of Dallas’s herbicide use.
The Barkers have dedicated decades to advocating for the preservation of White Rock Lake, previously thwarting plans to convert portions of the park for parking. Their current concerns revolve around the chemicals sprayed around the lake, particularly in the Winfrey Point area close to their home.
In November, driven by frustrations over the city’s lack of action, the brothers decided to take a legal route enabled by Proposition S, a recent charter amendment passed by voters. This proposition allows residents to file lawsuits against the city if it is believed that there is noncompliance with the charter, local ordinances, or state law.
Ted, 80, emphasized the significance of this proposition, stating, “Proposition S is the only reason we can do what we’re doing now. A potential suit because you couldn’t sue [the city] before.”
The Dallas Park Department, in response to the Barkers’ concerns, stated that its staff exercises great care in the use of pesticides around White Rock Lake, specifically in the prairie areas and athletic fields, including those in Winfrey Point.
However, the Barkers have criticized the city for its lack of transparency regarding herbicide application. They argue that residents are not adequately informed when chemical treatments occur, and they are particularly concerned about the continued use of these chemicals in locations frequented by children, like baseball fields.
In their quest for greater transparency and safer alternatives, the Barkers referred to other Texas cities that have banned commercial herbicides altogether. They have persistently voiced their concerns to both the Dallas Park and Recreation Department and City Council member Paula Blackmon, who represents their district.
Brett Johnson, the conservation manager for the Park and Recreation Department, argued that the complete elimination of chemical use is impractical, as it is necessary for controlling invasive species around the lake.
Proposition S requires that before any lawsuit can be filed, the plaintiffs must give the city at least a 60-day notice and specify how they believe the city has breached the charter or law.
The Barkers initially hesitated to file a lawsuit, waiting to see the outcome of a bill aimed at reversing the proposition, which ultimately failed. Meanwhile, Hal, 77, shared his concerns about perceived opacity in the operations of the city and the Dallas City Council’s responsiveness to residents.
The brothers’ fight to preserve the lake can be traced back to 2014, when they began raising alarms over what they dubbed “the blue death.” This term emerged after community members noticed blue dye on trees and areas around the lake, which was later revealed to be part of glyphosate herbicide treatments.
Though the Environmental Protection Agency deems glyphosate safe for use, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as a probable human carcinogen. In 2019, the city halted glyphosate use around White Rock Lake, but it resumed in 2023 specifically for treating toxic water hemlock.
The conservation manager, Johnson, noted that only a small amount of the herbicide is used around the lake’s perimeter. However, the Barkers remain adamant that children should not be exposed to these chemicals during play.
The brothers advocate for a complete stop to the chemical applications. If continued use is necessary, they suggest reintroducing the blue dye to inform the public when areas have been treated, even if that means a less aesthetically pleasing outcome. Johnson stated, however, that the city has no plans to reintegrate the dye.
The Park and Recreation Department claims that staff provides at least two weeks of notice before any spraying occurs, and they post signs indicating which weeds are being treated and the respective pesticides used.
Despite these claims, the Barkers assert that such notifications are infrequent, making it difficult for park users to be aware of chemical treatments in their vicinity. They express ongoing vigilance as they walk their dogs near the lake, continually monitoring for any signs of herbicide use.
The brothers’ commitment to safeguarding White Rock Lake is not new. In 2012, they mobilized neighborhood opposition against a city proposal for a large-scale parking project at Winfrey Point. Through dedicated efforts, which included petitions and legal action against the city for lack of transparency, they successfully stopped the construction project, which threatened to devastate the park’s natural landscape.
Reflecting on their earlier triumph, Hal recalled, “They [the city] were going to bulldoze everything here, all the trees, and they’re going to take down all the ball fields and then turn this into a four-lane road. And we stopped the whole thing.”
Now, with Proposition S in hand, the Barkers are determined to employ every legal avenue available to ensure the continued protection of White Rock Lake from chemical assaults and to advocate for the health of the community.
As citizens of Dallas, they assert their resolve to hold the city accountable and ensure that the voice of the residents is heard. Their ongoing struggle is not just for the lake but for an ethical and transparent approach to city governance that reflects the will of its constituents.
image source from：https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2025/06/12/dallas-routinely-uses-herbicides-at-white-rock-lake-these-brothers-are-working-to-stop-it/
