City of University Park          June 2018
Welcome to UPdate.   This mid-month publication provides residents with timely information about upcoming City projects, programs and events. You can sign up for things too.    
City Hall
Snider Plaza Improvement Strategy City Council Work Session

Tuesday, June 19 - 1 to 3 p.m.

City Hall - Council Chamber
 
During April and May, public meetings were held to solicit input on how we can collectively move forward to solve long-standing issues in Snider Plaza while preserving its character. The meetings were facilitated by Paris Rutherford, a certified planner and University Park resident.
As a result of those gatherings we received more than 200 ideas. This feedback helped Paris prepare options to best address those needs and concerns. During the May 17 Town Hall meeting, those in attendance were given the opportunity to rank those options based on individual preference.
On June 19, a special City Council work session will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. so that Council can be brought up-to-date on the progress of our public engagement process. During the presentation Paris will provide Council with an understanding of the three options most-favored, including potential costs and next steps. This meeting will be recorded and available online if you are unable to attend.
 
Click on the bar below for additional information, including a recap of each meeting held to date.
4th of July
Independence Day Parade

Get ready to celebrate the USA! The annual Independence Day Parade, hosted by the Rotary Club of Park Cities, will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4. Parade participants will start lining up at 7:30 a.m. near Highland Park Town Hall. The family bicycle judging contest will begin at 8 a.m. at the Moody Family YMCA at 6000 Preston Road. Bicyclists will then join the parade.

Parade Route
The parade starts on Euclid Avenue and winds through a portion of Highland Park before traveling up Preston Road, turning right on University Boulevard and ending in University Park’s Goar Park.

Family Festival in Goar Park

After the parade, Goar Park is the site of a patriotic family festival featuring music, food and games. The festival begins at about 9:30 a.m. There is no admission charge. Bring the entire family and join the Rotary Club of Park Cities in honoring America and our community! For more information, please visit the   Rotary Club of Park Cities website . 
2018 UP Firecracker 5K Fun Run
Celebrate America's birthday with a run through the beautiful streets of University Park! On Wednesday, July 4, before the Park Cities Independence Day Parade, the City will host its annual "UP Firecracker 5K Fun Run." Designed for participants of all ages and abilities, the run will begin and end at Curtis Park. Start time is 7:30 a.m. The City will provide participation medals for all those who complete the run. 

Fun Run registration details:

All participants, regardless of age, must register for the event. Runners 12 and under participate for free. Fun Run t-shirts are guaranteed ONLY to those who pre-register. For those who choose to register the day of the event, race
t-shirts will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis until the remaining shirts are gone.

Pre-Registration: For participants 13 and over, the fee to pre-register is $15. Monday, June 25 is the last day to pre-register and be guaranteed a shirt. Please DO NOT mail forms after this date!

Race Day Registration: Registration the day of the race begins at 6:30 a.m. at Curtis Park. The fee for those 13 and over on race day is $20.

Please download the form below to register by mail, or register in person at the Peek Service Center at 4420 Worcola Street. 

Make checks payable to City of University Park Fun Run.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department office at 214-987-5488.
Parks and Recreation
Holmes Aquatic Center 2018 pool passes
Time to get your 2018 Pool passes!  The purchase of a season pass covers your admission fees for the full pool season. This year, you can purchase pool passes at two locations, the City’s Peek Service Center, or UP Public Library. 
Summer swim lessons & swim team information

This summer the Holmes Aquatic Center is providing swimming lessons and swim team opportunities for kids of all ages. To sign up for any of the opportunities listed, click on the Aquatic Programs bar.
Story Time at the Pool

Calling all sharks and minnows! Every Friday, UP Public Library will provide a story time at the Holmes Aquatic Center from 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Story times will take place in the Atmos Energy Room.
UP Public Library
Youth Summer Reading program
Registration for University Park Public Library’s popular summer program, UP With Reading! kicked off during the Friends of the University Park Public Library’s Splash Bash on Friday, May 25. If you couldn't make it, you can still register online at the City's website or in person at the library.

UP With Reading! summer lineup

UP With Reading! participants can take part in fun activities throughout June and July. All events, featuring special guests, will take place at the library on Wednesdays. The start time is 3 p.m. except for the June 27 program that starts at 2 p.m.
Remaining dates:
  • June 20 - Esther Malone – Stories that move you!
  • June 27 - Dallas Children’s Theater – “How I Became A Pirate”
  • July 11 - Highland Park Black Belt Academy – interactive demonstration
  • July 18 - James Wand – magic show
  • July 25 - Critterman – squirm factor

The UP With Reading! theme this summer is “Level UP with Reading.” Each registered participant will be given a gaming-themed token to hang in the library. In addition, while supplies last, prizes will be awarded for 10, 20, 30, and 40 hours of reading as hours are achieved.

  • Each family that participates in the program will get a yard sign
  • After 10 hours of reading each child will receive a participation certificate and a backpack tag
  • After 20 hours each child will receive a color-changing straw and a tattoo sticker
  • After 30 hours of reading each child will receive a small tote bag and a deck of playing cards
  • After 40 hours of reading each child will get to donate a book in their honor to charity (University Park Public Library and Highland Park Public Library are  partners in a program that donates books to Trinity River Mission, a local literacy-based organization.) Forty-hour readers will also get a gift certificate to Chipotle.

Readers Cup trophy

The Highland Park ISD school whose students collectively read the most hours will be awarded the Readers Cup trophy. UP Elementary is the current champion. 

UP With Reading! is presented by Briggs-Freeman/ Sotheby’s International .
La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas Duchess Gowns

Come view this year's La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas Duchess gowns. All the gowns were worn by the duchesses at the recent La Fiesta Gala.

The gowns will remain on display through Saturday, June 23. University Park Public Library is located at the Plaza at Preston Center and is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Adding to the regal fun, on Thursday, June 21st at 3 p.m., a princess will entertain with stories, games and songs. Both the exhibit and the June 21 event are free and open to the public.
Police Department
UPPD House Watch

Summer has arrived! Going on vacation? Don’t forget that you can have your home checked daily by a UPPD officer while you’re away for an extended period of time.

There are two ways to sign up:

Go to the Resident Online Center of the City’s website. If this is the first time entering a request for service using the Resident Online Center, you must create an account. You will be asked to provide your name, address and email.

Or, you can go to the Police portion of the City’s website. Click on Police Services and Information, then, click on House Watch and download the House Watch form. Then, once you have provided all the necessary information, drop it off at the City's 9-1-1 Dispatch Center (3800 University Blvd.) or fax it to 214-987-5364.
UPPD Community Camera program
UPPD appreciates all those who continue to quickly report suspicious activity. 

Residents and businesses can also bolster the department’s crime fighting efforts by taking a few minutes to register their security camera systems. Because they are caught in the act of committing the crime, video surveillance is one of the best methods to catch suspects and convict them. 
If your residence or business has a security camera system that meets the two requirements listed, you can help UPPD investigate and solve crimes by registering your camera system.
  • Camera system records and retains video
  • Exterior facing security camera system
After registering your camera, you will only be contacted by UPPD if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of your security camera and police personnel believe viewing your video footage will assist in the investigation. At no time will UPPD have remote access to your cameras. To register your camera system, click on the bar below.
Utilities

Water My Yard

Deciding when and how much to water your lawn during the summer can be challenging. Residents now have a quick and definitive way to answer those questions. Sponsored by the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utilities District, the Park Cities are now part of the Water My Yard program. Offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, this free online tool helps you determine how much supplemental water is needed to maintain a healthy lawn year-round. 
To learn more about the Water My Yard program, click on the bar below. It only takes a few short online steps before you are set to receive automated emails or text messages with weekly guidance that is based on weather and soil conditions in the Park Cities. 
Upcoming City Meetings & Events