City of University Park          August 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.    
Active School Zones 

HPISD students return to campus on August 23. With school back in session, the streets around the City’s various campuses will be more congested. UPPD reminds motorists that active school zones are designated by flashing yellow lights. 
New lighted crosswalk at Wentwood and Hillcrest
As part of ongoing HPISD campus rebuilding efforts, Hyer students have been relocated to the elementary campus at Durham and Northwest Parkway. Due to this relocation, the City has installed a new lighted crosswalk at Wentwood and Hillcrest to assist walkers and bike riders as they cross Hillcrest Avenue. To provide maximum visibility to all lanes of traffic, the crosswalk has been outfitted with pedestrian-activated overhead flashing lights. Crossing guards have been assigned to work both sides of Hillcrest. 
The crosswalk will also be supported by a new school zone on Hillcrest that will begin north of Wentwood at Villanova and end south of Wentwood at Centenary. Activation times for the school zone will match the times set for the district’s other elementary campuses (see list below). 

Parents, please make sure that your children use the side-walks when walking or riding their bikes to school. Children should follow the directions of the crossing guard, who will make sure they cross safely. Early in the school year, UPPD will have extra officers watching queuing lanes at the elementary and intermediate/middle school campuses.

School zone times in University Park

Elementary Schools - 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Intermediate/Middle School - 7:15 to 9 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
High School - 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

20 MPH is the speed limit in all active school zones. 

Law on texting and driving

By state law, drivers cannot use a wireless device (cell phone) to read, write or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped. Please note, when driving through an active school zone you can still talk on the phone, but only with the use of a “hands free” device.
City Hall
Public hearings - FY2019 proposed budget and tax rate

On Tuesday, August 21 and Tuesday, September 4 the City Council will hold public hearings so that the public may comment on the City’s FY2019 proposed budget and tax rate. The Council will vote to adopt the FY2019 budget and FY2019 tax rate during its Tuesday, September 18 meeting. 
Police Department
UP implements Text to 911 option
You can now Text to 911 in University Park.   That means, if you are unable to make a voice 911 call, you can type your message on your smart phone and send it to the City’s emergency dispatch center. 
Text to 911 was designed to assist those who are hearing or speech impaired, and those who, due to the nature of the emergency, are unable to make a voice call to 911. Text to 911 is not intended to replace reporting of an emergency by phone. Voice calls remain the preferred form of notification to the City’s emergency dispatch center. That said, circumstances like a home invasion, a burglary in progress or a family violence incident are ideal for Text to 911.  
Sending a Text to 911 message
  • Open the text messaging application on your smart phone and type 911 in the recipient field
  • Keep the message brief, using plain English
  • Make sure you include vital information including the exact location and type of emergency
  • Text to 911 is not yet GPS capable, so texting your location is very important
  • After you’ve typed your message in the text box, press the “send” button
  • The only way you will know your text has been received is when you receive a text from our 911 center
  • Even if your phone is on silent, be prepared to respond to the dispatcher, who may need  additional information
  • Once initiated, our dispatcher will keep the text communication open until it is no longer needed
  • Do not use “group text” when using Text to 911
  • You cannot use Text to 911 if your phone is on “roaming”
  • You cannot send videos, photos or emojis via Text to 911
Participating cellular carriers
The University Park emergency dispatch center is able to receive Text to 911 messages on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile smart phones. Please note that a cellular plan with text messaging is required to send a Text to 911 message. Also note that limitations including coverage area, signal strength and connectivity may hamper message delivery.
In considering your options for reporting an emergency in University Park to summon police, fire or EMS response remember – Call if you can, text if you can’t.
Learn more about Text to 911 by going to the Federal Communications Commission’s website at fcc.gov.
A reminder - parking in the alleys is prohibited

UP alleys are used throughout the day and night as residents come and go from their homes, so easy access is always appreciated. Utility providers like Oncor and Atmos, and City sanitation trucks need ready access as well. While they are working, service providers, including cable TV installers and household repair personnel, will not be penalized if they need to park in the alleys.
If you believe a vehicle is illegally parked, or if it’s blocking access to your driveway and you want to report it to UPPD, call our non-emergency line at 214-363-3000. As always, feel free to call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. UPPD will continue to monitor the alleys for illegally parked vehicles. An infraction could result in a citation, towing or both.
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. Video surveillance is one of the best methods to catch suspects and convict them because they are caught in the act of committing the crime. 
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.
Parks and Recreation
Catch the last Dive-In Movie of the summer! 

The City's popular Dive-In Movie series at the Holmes Aquatic Center ends on Friday, August 17.  

Moviegoers are encouraged to watch Sherlock Gnomes from the pool. The pool concession stand will be open with a limited menu and special movie treat items. Admission is free.* Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Moviegoers will be admitted beginning at 8 p.m. Showtime is 9 p.m.

*For admission, you must reside in UP or inside HPISD boundaries.
Story Time at the Holmes Aquatic Center

Calling all sharks and minnows! Our last UP Public Library Story Time at the Pool is set for Friday, August 17.  The fun will take place inside the Atmos Energy Room from 11 to 11:30 a.m. 
Doggie Splash Day - September 9

Your dog will have a howling good time at the Holmes Aquatic Center during Doggie Splash Day. Sponsored by Highland Park Emergency Room, the fun takes place Sunday, September 9 from noon to 3 p.m. 
To participate you must be a University Park/HPISD resident and you must register. Registration is underway now. The registration fee is $10 per dog. Humans are free. You will need to complete a form for each dog that will be coming to the event. Space is limited to the first 100 dogs, so sign up early.  
UP Public Library
Bradfield Elementary School captures 2018 Readers Cup Trophy

This summer's Level UP with Reading program was a great success. A total of 484 students participated in the fun, amassing more than 7,600 hours/books read.

Bradfield Elementary School won the coveted Readers Cup Trophy with 88 students logging 1,209 hours/books read.   
Our thanks to program sponsor: Briggs Freeman/Sotheby's International Realty
Introducing the Library's new app!

University Park Public Library is excited to introduce its free app, UPTXLIB! The app lets you easily manage your library account and access various online resources.

UPTXLIB is available for both Android and iOS/Apple devices. Visit your app store to download it today!



Some neat features you will find on UPTXLIB include:

  • Use a digital bar code instead of your library card to check out books and other materials
  • Easily sign-up and log-in to our summer reading programs
  • Access quick links to our online resources, events calendar and social media platforms    
Upcoming City Meetings & Events