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.
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Children's Fishing Derby - Saturday, June 4 |
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The pond will be stocked and the fish will be biting! The City of University Park will host this year’s Children’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 4 at Caruth Park from 9 a.m. to noon. Children must bring their own pole and bait. “Catch and Release” procedures will be followed.
Lots of activities
Every hour awards will be presented for the largest and smallest fish caught! In addition, there will be children’s entertainment and a photo booth. For more information about the event, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 214-987-5488.
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Temperatures are climbing - Pool pass sales are underway |
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Ready to take a dive at the Holmes Aquatic Center this summer?! Senior swim began on May 2 (Monday - Friday, 7 to 8:30 a.m.). Then, on May 28, the official pool season begins!
Pick up your pool pass at the Holmes Aquatic Center
This year, for your convenience, pool pass holders will be issued a key fob. If you already have a photo on file, the fob will be mailed to your address. If there is not a photo on file, you will need to come pick up your fob and take a photo.
If you need a pool pass, you can stop by the Holmes Aquatic Center Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m. to pick up your card, the fob and to update your account photo.
This new feature will make it easier for pool pass holders going forward, since you will renew passes online using your fob.
Register for programs and make reservations
Log on to RecTrac to secure your spot on the swim team, sign up for swim lessons, or make pool reservations before all spots are filled!
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Community CloseUP website photo contest |
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Have you noticed the photo bar on our website home page?! Well, we want to see YOUR photos there! We are hosting another Community Photo Contest and we can’t wait to see what amazing photos we receive!
What will catch our eye? 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 summertime photos! If you are interested in participating, submit your original photos in a JPG format by emailing them to media@uptexas.org. We will accept photos until May 31. 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.
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Citizen of the Year search continues |
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Through Wednesday, June 1 the City is accepting applications for the 2022 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, raising money for various worthy projects, or assisting those in need in this time of social distancing, all demonstrate an exceptional level of citizenship.
To nominate a resident of any age, click on the green button below. A panel of residents will select and notify the honoree the week of June 6. The honoree will receive a plaque and a special Citizen of the Year gift from the Mayor.
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:
2021 - Dan Branch
2020 - Erin Schreyer
2019 - Brad Bradley
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July 4 parade and Goar Park festivities |
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Mark your calendars now! In conjunction with the Rotary Club Park Cities, on Monday, July 4, floats, fire trucks, antique vehicles, a band or two and decorated bikes and their riders will follow the usual route, starting near Highland Park Town Hall and finishing in Goar Park. That morning, the park will be filled with merchant booths, bounce houses and lots of other family fun.
In the coming weeks, we'll have more details about these festivities in our City newsletters, on the City's website and on our social media platforms!
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Summer Reading Programs for all ages |
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This summer, University Park Public Library is making sure that residents of all ages will have fun reading! Visit the City’s website or visit the library to enroll in any of the programs detailed below. You can register for the youth summer program beginning on May 28, and the teen and adult programs on June 1.
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Surf's UP with Reading
University Park Public Library’s youth summer program begins on Saturday, May 28 with a Kickoff Party from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Families are invited to register for summer reading at the library and enjoy balloon animals and crafts.
This year’s UP with Reading theme is “Surf's UP,” and each registered child will be given a fish token to hang in the library along with a sign-up prize and yard sign. The program runs until July 31. Prizes will be awarded for reading 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 books or hours and include:
- 10 – Sticky shark and bookmark
- 20 – Certificate and cup
- 30 – Squirt toy and SusieCakes cupcake coupon
- 40 – Book donated to charity and stackable shark pencil
- 50 – Beach ball and entry in grand prize drawing
The Highland Park ISD school whose students read the most hours will be awarded the Readers Cup trophy. The winner in 2021 was McCulloch Intermediate School.
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Teen Summer Reading Club
In partnership with Highland Park Library, this program begins on June 1 and ends on July 31. It’s open to students ages 13 and up. At sign up, teens can select a book to keep. Each week, teens who log reading hours will be entered in to a drawing to win a $10 gift card from a local business. At the end of the program, participants who read 50 or more hours will be eligible for the teen grand prize drawing.
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Grown UP Summer Reading
Grown UP Summer Reading makes it possible for adults to join in the fun. At sign up, participants will receive a yard sign. Readers may post what books they’re reading online so that others can get a lead on their next read. The program runs from June 1 to July 31.
For more information about Summer Reading events, programs and activities, visit the City's website.
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Report coyote sightings to the City |
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Coyotes can be seen in University Park throughout the year. Coyotes eat plants and animals including skunks, possums and raccoons. Since they prefer to find easy meals, they are also attracted to:
- Dog and cat food that is left outside
- Rotting fruit under trees
- Bird seed on the ground (position bird feeders so that coyotes cannot get feed)
- Trash that is accessible due to garbage containers that are not properly secured
Do not feed feral cats. This may encourage coyotes to prey on them or to eat food left out for them. Don't leave small pets outside overnight or let them run free. Accompany your pet outside, especially at night. Do not assume that a fence will keep a coyote out of your backyard. If you see a coyote in your yard, make noise and wave your arms. You can also spray it with a water hose. The coyote is likely to leave the area quickly after any of these actions.
If you see a coyote in your neighborhood, if you choose to, you can report the sighting to UPPD dispatch by filling out a quick and easy online report, or by calling the non-emergency number 214-363-3000.
The City keeps a list of the sightings so residents can see where and when sightings have occurred, and so we can send a compilation of locations to Texas Wildlife Services (Division of the USDA) if it becomes necessary to proceed with trapping or lethal enforcement.
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Upcoming City Meetings & Events |
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STAY CONNECTED TO THE CITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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