Number 220, December 2021
City of University Park, Texas, 3800 University Blvd.
Santa Around Town begins December 13
Santa Claus is coming to town! Before he makes his annual trip around the world on December 25, Santa will be in UP touring the city's neighborhoods on a UPFD fire engine. The fun begins Monday, December 13 and continues through Friday, December 17 starting at 6 p.m. each night and ending about 8 p.m.*

Santa Fire Engine Tracker

If you want to wave at Santa as he rides by, consult this color-coded City map. Better yet, during his five-day visit, go to the City’s website homepage and click on the Santa Around Town details. There you will find a link to track Santa’s nightly progress through the neighborhoods. Details about Santa Around Town will be posted on the City's website in the next few days. The tracking link will be activated about an hour before each trip through the five neighborhoods.

* Dates/times subject to emergency calls
Virtual holiday programs at UP Public Library
The University Park Public Library in the Plaza at Preston Center will be offering virtual Christmas programs Saturdays in December with holiday entertainment for all ages. All programs begin at 3 p.m. For more information call the library at 214-363-9095.

December 4 – Leon the Elf
December 11 – Christmas Craft Party
December 18 – Christmas Puppet Show

Sponsors: Christine McKenny and Allie Beth Allman and Associates

Library December holiday hours

We will be open December 21 - 23 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on Friday and Saturday, December 24 and 25. We will also be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. December 28 - 30, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 31. The library will be closed on January 1.
Letters to Santa
Ho ho ho! Calling all UP residents! Did you know that the City of University Park knows Santa Claus?!

From the North Pole, Santa will send your reply... Faster than Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer can fly! Our Letters to Santa program runs through December 19. Submit a letter request on the form below and you will receive a personalized, electronic letter from Santa!
Seasonal reminders from UPPD
UPPD House Watch

If the holidays have you loading up your sleigh and going away, don’t forget to have your home checked daily by a UPPD officer! To request a House Watch, click here.
Holiday Package Thefts

Package thefts occur year-round, but they are more common during the holiday season with the constant ordering of online gifts. Here are some tips to prevent package thefts and to keep your orders safe:

  • Use smart package lockers (such as Amazon locker) or convenience stores like the UPS store
  • Have packages delivered to your workplace or office
  • Install security cameras
  • Require signature on delivery
  • Require a vacation package hold if you are out of town
  • Sign up for tracking alerts so you can arrange to be home when the package is scheduled to be delivered
This holiday season, take a minute or two to make sure that your vehicles are locked and remember to take your keys/key fobs, packages, and other valuables inside with you. Once inside your house, it's always a good idea to lock those doors too.

Together, let's make this holiday season less welcoming for thieves!
GoLink service takes effect in University Park on January 24
The move is part of DART's redesigned bus system
This past August, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors unanimously approved a fully redesigned bus network plan. With the goal of providing greater frequency, longer service hours and improved access to destinations, the redesigned network will go into effect on January 24, 2022. As part of this retooling, on that date, DART riders in University Park will use the system's expanded GoLink service to go from place to place.

University Park Dart ridership changing to GoLink service

Unlike a traditional bus, GoLink does not operate on a fixed schedule – it’s entirely on demand. To use GoLink you will need to book your trip in advance to head to work, run an errand or connect to DART buses and trains. Replacing route 521, the Park Cities GoLink service will be available from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday, excluding major holidays.
As part of DART’s new bus network, the agency is changing every route and every route number in the current bus system. That means that the agency is also changing every bus stop sign. In conjunction with those efforts, you may have noticed the bags that are covering the system’s University Park route 521 bus stop signs.

Park Cities GoLink coverage

Click here to see a map of the GoLink zone that will service riders in University Park. 

Each GoLink zone provides service to a rail station or transit center, for connections to other DART services. For riders in University Park the nearest rail stop is Mockingbird Station. 

Two options to book a GoLink trip

  • With the GoPass app
  • Call 214-515-7272

Two ways to pay

  • Credit or debit card
  • GoPassTap card

GoLink will not accept cash fares, paper passes or vouchers.
RecTrac - Our online reservations system has a new look
The Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce that RecTrac, our website's online reservations platform, has an entirely new look, featuring enhanced navigation to provide you with quick access to our full range of reservations, memberships and rental opportunities.
 
When you click on the service or option you are interested in, a list pops up showing dates and times that are available at our various facilities, along with other needed information like facility locations, prices, age requirements and capacity limits. Whether you make reservations repeatedly, like those who use our tennis courts, or you are interested in a one-time rental of the gazebo in Goar Park, this new format is designed to make your task easier.
UPPD Community Survey
Central to retaining our accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the University Park Police Department must survey residents for suggestions on community needs, and for input on how the Department can better serve the public. 
 
If you are a University Park resident, please take a few minutes to answer this 10 question survey. The survey will close on December 20. Thank you for your participation and input! 
Happy holidays from the Friends of the UP Public Library

Ashley Blanchette - Friends President
The Friends of the University Park Public Library thank you for making 2021 another successful year! In the fall, the Friends were thrilled to re-open Second Chapter Bookstore, our volunteer-driven used bookstore, in a new location at 6916 Snider Plaza (between Short Stop & East Hampton). Second Chapter Bookstore became a bright spot in our community when we first popped up in September 2020, allowing patrons, neighbors and volunteers to come together and share their love of books. Since the Store re-opened, thousands of books have found new homes resulting in sales of over $14,000, with the proceeds ultimately benefitting the University Park Public Library. We would be remiss if we didn’t recognize the generosity of our landlord, Bob Teeter, the support of University Park’s Mayor, Tommy Stewart, as well as the tireless efforts of many members of the Friends and volunteers who have generously donated their time and talents. Second Chapter Bookstore will remain open through December 18, operating Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please visit the Store while it is still popped up! You will find more information about the Store, volunteering opportunities, and donating books, at the Friends’ website at https://uplibraryfriends.org/books.
In September, the Friends also began offering our Meet Me at the Library Series once again, welcoming speakers such as Talmage Boston, Steve Benton, and Dave Lieber. Our next event on Tuesday, December 7 will feature Tracy Walder, a former CIA and FBI agent, as she discusses how she became “An Unexpected Spy." For more information on this event and a listing of our spring Meet Me at the Library events, please visit the Friends’ website at https://uplibraryfriends.org/news-events.
Lastly, if you have enjoyed the book art that has been displayed at Second Chapter Bookstore, we are hosting a Book Art Class for you to create your very own Wall or Pendant Book Art on December 4 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Space is limited, so please reserve your spot soon via https://uplibraryfriends.org/event-4575756. 
 
We wish each of you a happy, healthy and safe 2022, and hope you continue to support the Friends in the coming year. Cheers!
Holiday sanitation schedule