Number 201, May 2020
City of University Park, Texas, 3800 University Blvd.
To our readers:   Given the fluid nature of the COVID-19 response and the need for timely and accurate information,  the City will not be offering a printed edition of the May Arbor. This electronic version contains all of the content that would have appeared in a printed copy without the danger of being out-of-date.  Click here for the latest COVID-19 information and updates.
Virtual Meeting, May 7 – Snider Plaza Concept Design Plan
Over the last few months, City staff has worked closely with its design team to finalize exhibits that lay out proposed improvements in Snider Plaza. Because you shop, dine, and attend annual events and celebrations in Snider Plaza, your thoughts and guidance are vital to helping us reach consensus. Due to the realities of social distancing, and in an effort to limit further delay, the City is turning to a virtual format to gain resident feedback. This online community meeting will take place on Thursday, May 7 at 4 p.m.  For more information and to register, click here . 
 
Following the May 7 community meeting, the design team will incorporate the input gained to date. After that, the concept plan will head back to the City Council for additional review and consideration.  
 
What you will view
 
Using a PowerPoint presentation, the City’s design team will highlight how we can approach and execute needed improvements in Snider Plaza.  This concept design is the culmination of prior studies, and follows months of consultation. In addition to addressing parking, infrastructure and landscaping needs, the plan illustrates other features include a family green area, sidewalk amenities, special pavers and other enhancement options. The City Council and Snider Plaza building owners and merchants have already seen this same PowerPoint presentation, and now we need your input.
 
How did we get to this point?
 
Parking, infrastructure, landscaping and other desired improvements to Snider Plaza have been contemplated for years. In 2018, the City engaged Paris Rutherford of the Catalyst Group to facilitate a series of public meetings to identify potential improvements and make follow-up recommendations to the City. Acting on these recommendations, in 2019 the City engaged Pacheco Koch civil engineers to begin design work for needed water and sewer replacement. More recently, the City asked the Catalyst Group to facilitate a detailed design of related landscape and other amenity improvements working with Space Between Landscape Studio. 
Centennial Master Plan Community Survey
Later this month, a community-wide survey will help the City collect data for our Centennial Master Plan. As opposed to the survey the City conducts every two or three years that provides us with guidance on current services and policies, this survey will focus on long-term community concerns. Gap Strategies, the consultant assisting the City with development of the plan, is drafting the questions. The answers you provide will help us identity the new document’s overarching themes.

The City’s last Master Plan was authored in 1989. That document’s primary theme centered on the services and expenses needed to maintain and enhance the City’s standing as one of the nation’s best residential communities. Many of those action items were accomplished years ago, the few that remain are ongoing.

The engagement of residents from across the community was the catalyst for the success of the 1989 plan. Our upcoming survey is one of several outreach elements that we will use in the months ahead to assure that everyone is heard as we chart a course for City operations, possible expenditures and expectations for the next 20 to 30 years.

We are excited to hear from the community and hope you will participate in the survey! Rollout will be done primarily online, so be on the lookout for more information on the City’s website and our multiple social media platforms. 
Summer Reading Programs for all ages from UP Public Library
Online sign-ups begin May 30
 
UP with Reading, University Park Public Library’s popular summer program for kids, kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30. If you are a teen or adult, you can also sign up and have fun reading. Again this summer, the library will offer the Teen Summer Reading Club in partnership with Highland Park Public Library. Now in its third summer, our program for adults will provide you with enjoyment and posts about titles others are reading. Mindful of social distancing concerns, you can enroll in any of the programs online beginning on May 30 on the Library’s homepage, which can be accessed here . Please do not come to the library to sign up. Library staff will mail sign-up prizes and tokens to all UP with Reading participants. In the next few weeks, staff will detail how participants can pick up their yard signs.
Virtual Entertainment Programs for kids

Be entertained and inspired each week in June and July! All programs will be presented virtually in partnership with Highland Park Library on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Information on how to enjoy these programs virtually will be included in the library’s June and July newsletters. Specific program dates and performers are listed below. 
 
June 3 - Perot TECH Truck 
June 10 - Mad Science – Tell Tale Science 
June 17 - Creature Teacher 
June 24 - Grace Hula Show 
July 8 - Critterman – Rainforest Jewels 
July 15 - Legendary Black Belt Academy – Martial Arts Class 
July 22 - Circus Freaks – Juggling Workshop 
July 29 - James Wand – Secret Agent Magic Show 
 
This year’s UP With Reading theme is “Imagine Your Story.” Beginning May 30 and running through July 31, along with receiving a crown token, sign-up prizes and a yard sign, program participants will be awarded prizes at 10, 20, 30, and 40 hours of reading:
 
10 hours - Participation certificate and JD’s Chippery coupon 
20 hours - Brag tag 
30 hours - Drawstring backpack 
40 hours - Book donated to charity and wizard wand 
50 hours - Entry into grand prize drawing 
 
The Highland Park ISD school whose students collectively read the most hours will be awarded the Readers Cup trophy. Hyer Elementary School is the current champion. 
 
Book Donations for a local non-profit
 
Each summer UP Public Library partners with the Highland Park Public Library to donate books to a local literacy-based organization. After reading 40 hours, a child can select a book to be donated in their honor. This year the partnering organization is The Warren Center, a non-profit group in Richardson that offers much-needed resources for children with disabilities.
The Teen Summer Reading Club 
 
The program begins on June 1 and ends on July 31 and is open to students entering seventh grade through 12th grade. Each week, participants who log reading hours will be entered into a drawing to win a gift card from a local business. At the end of the program, participants who read 50 or more hours will be entered into the teen grand prize drawing. Teens can also participate in two virtual programs. Program dates and descriptions are below. More information about these programs will be published in the library’s June and July newsletters. 
 
June 16 - Open Mic (3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) Join us on Zoom to share your musical, artistic, or writing talents. Each participant will have up to five minutes to perform. Registration is required. 
 
Starting July 7 - Digital Escape Room – Follow clues to solve riddles and puzzles and complete our digital escape room. The challenge will remain open through the end of July. 
Grown UP Summer Reading
 
All enrolled participants will receive a yard sign. To participate, once you’ve finished a book or completed a challenge, enter it into the database. Participants will be entered into weekly drawings for prizes. Readers may also post what books they are reading so that others can get inspiration for their next read. The program runs from June 1 to July 31. 
Tennis courts reopened
In compliance with the State’s April 27 executive order specific to outdoor sports, all tennis courts in University Park are now open for play. For your safety and for the health and well-being of others, please follow these simple requirements. The City will closely monitor compliance. If requirements are ignored, all courts could close.

The following rules will be strictly enforced:  

  • Only four people per court allowed
  • Players must maintain social distancing
  • No guests or spectators
  • Online reservations strongly recommended
Holmes Aquatic Center - Summer 2020
COVID-19 is likely to influence the pool’s summer schedule. Please continue to consult the City’s website homepage and our social media platforms for the latest updates. Health and safety orders and staffing concerns could impact the summer schedule and our scope of activities and instruction.   
Community CloseUP website photo contest
Have you noticed the photo bar on our website home page?! Well, we want to see YOUR photos here! We are hosting another Community Photo Contest and we can’t wait to see what amazing photos we receive!

What does an award-winning photograph look like? We want to see what you love most about our community – and what you think captures the true essence of University Park! We are also looking for some spring and summer-themed photos for the upcoming season! If you are interested in participating, submit your original photos in a JPG format by emailing them to  media@uptexas.org . We will accept photo submissions until May 31. Once the contest is closed, the photos chosen by our communications team will be on display beginning in June!  

Legal stuff -- By entering the contest, you grant the City of University Park a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including but not limited to the City website, social media accounts, and newsletter publications.
2020 Citizen of the Year search underway
The City is accepting applications for the 2020 Citizen of the Year Award. The City Council created the award to boost public awareness and appreciation for the many residents who work, often behind the scenes, to better the city's quality of life. Rather than acting out of a need for recognition, these residents are driven by a desire to contribute to their community. Whether beautifying our neighborhoods, increasing local opportunities for our youth, or raising money for various worthy projects, all demonstrate an exceptional level of citizenship. Do you know someone who has demonstrated these qualities even during our recent Stay at Home orders?
 
To nominate a resident of any age, click on the green button below. Nominations must be received by Monday, June 1. A panel of residents will select and notify the honoree the week of June 8. 
 
Nominees for Citizen of the Year must:
  • Be a University Park resident;
  • Have worked to improve the quality of life in University Park.

Current and former Mayors and Councilmembers are not eligible for this award. If you have questions about the nomination process, please call Steve Mace at 214-987-5301 or email him at: smace@uptexas.org.
 
Recent Citizen of the Year honorees:
 
2019 - Brad Bradley
2018 - Randy James
2017 - Jerry Washam