FY 2013 Popular Annual Financial Report FY 2013 Popular Annual Financial Report | Page 11

has seven branch locations, a literacy
center, locations in schools and 24-hour
online access.
The City of Arlington unveiled a
new mobile facility in FY 2013. The
TechLiNK Mobile Technology Lab is
a 39-foot bus that travels throughout
the City, especially into neighborhoods
not in close proximity to a municipal
library branch. The mobile unit boasts
11 sit-down computer stations and
provides computer access and Internet
service to families who don’t have their
own and have few public computers to
use. The bus also offers a location for
free classes in technology, English as a
second language (ESL), online literacy
and other training.
Funtimes Magazine, a resource guide,
also got an overhaul and now includes
feature stories, employee spotlights,
Q&As and participant photographs.
The department’s video production
also was revamped to emphasize more
high-quality and informative content
to highlight upcoming events, facilities,
and series that spotlight employees and
offer monthly golf tips.
The fifth-annual Ecofest took
over downtown and highlighted
green products and services and
environmental awareness. Children’s
activities, educational demonstrations
and live music were featured
throughout the day. Organizers aimed
for a zero-waste event: recycling
stations were set up and vendors used
only materials that fit recycling and
composting guidelines.
Nature enthusiasts find a welcome
home at the wooded Southwest Nature
Preserve, a 59-acre swath of land
located just south of
I-20 near Bowman
Springs Drive in
southwest Arlington.
The location includes
three ponds, wooded
areas, a sandstone
bluff and as many
as 300 native plant
species. Recent
improvements to
the area that make
it more residentfriendly include a

boardwalk leading to the pond, a small
amphitheater, picnic areas and lighted
parking.
A long-awaited place for
skateboarders to catch some air took
shape in 2013. C