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.
|
|
Oncor Tree Trimming slated for various UP neighborhoods |
|
Oncor contractors will begin trimming trees in specific University Park neighborhoods next week. Weather permitting, this round of vegetation management will continue for six to eight weeks. Additional neighborhoods could be added to the list in late February.
Map of work areas
To view the block-by-block locations of the work, click here. Homeowners in the work areas should receive a door notice from Oncor a week or two before work begins.
Why is the work necessary?
Trees that grow near power lines pose a serious safety risk and are one of the top causes of power outages each year, along with lightning and wildlife. Service interruptions caused by trees are more than an inconvenience. They can endanger lives through the failure of life support systems, fire alarms, and traffic signals. Power outages can also be very costly, especially to commercial and industrial customers.
Under Texas law, Oncor may prune or remove trees that interfere with the reliability and integrity of electrical service within their service area. When this happens, Oncor follows generally accepted industry guidelines and best practices. State law also gives Oncor the authority to go onto residential property to conduct their trimming efforts.
|
|
Virtual Assistant created to improve customer communications
Oncor.com has a new virtual assistant platform to boost customer engagement. This virtual assistant can:
- Report outages
- Provide status updates
- Respond to inquiries about vegetation management
In mid-2022, the virtual assistant will be able to perform more actions and also engage with customers through text messages. Starting in November 2022, a second initiative will enhance notifications to customers about vegetation management (tree trimming) in their area. In addition to the current door hangers, customers enrolled in My Oncor Alerts will receive an automated notification four weeks and two weeks before work is scheduled to begin.
|
|
DART GoLink service starts soon in University Park |
|
On January 24, DART GoLink will replace DART bus route 521. Serving riders throughout the Park Cities, GoLink will operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday, excluding major holidays. GoLink does not operate on a fixed schedule – it’s entirely on demand. To use GoLink you must book your trip in advance to head to work, run an errand or connect to DART buses and trains. |
|
Park Cities GoLink coverage
To see the GoLink zone that includes all of University Park, click here. Each GoLink zone provides service to a rail station or transit center, for connections to other DART services. Mockingbird Station is our nearest rail stop.
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.
|
|
You may remember from recent newsletters that the Parks Department has rolled out a new look for RecTrac, our online reservation system. In addition to the redesigned splash page, residents can now make park reservations, purchase pool passes, and more with the online convenience of RecTrac!
To make things even easier, the Parks Department put together a short video explaining how to make a park reservation online. Click play below to watch the tutorial.
|
|
Job opportunities at the Holmes Aquatic Center |
|
Looking for a summer job? What better place to spend the summer than at the pool? We are now accepting applications for all seasonal positions at the Holmes Aquatic Center! Positions include lifeguards, guest services, food services and more. Click the button below to apply.
Please share this information with anyone you know who may have interest!
|
|
Curbside service still available |
|
Curbside service is still available to all library card holders! Just place your items on hold as you normally would by using our online catalog, calling the library at 214-363-9095, or using the library’s app. When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you. Even though you may get a text from the library, please wait for the phone call before coming to pick up your items. When you pull to the curb in front of the library’s entrance, call us at 214-363-9095 to let us know that you have arrived! |
|
UP and Coming Author series kicks off on January 20 |
|
Author Clay Small kicks off our local author series at University Park Public Library on January 20 at 7 p.m. A University Park resident, Clay will discuss art forgery and how this crime is increasing relative to the soaring prices of fine art. During his presentation he will also talk about the personality types of four notorious art forgers, new detection methods for authenticating fine art, and that it's not just greed that prompts art forgers to copy another artist's work. Clay’s newly released novel is The Forger’s Forgery.
Clay is the former Senior Vice President and Managing Attorney for PepsiCo, Inc. In that position, he was responsible for all of PepsiCo’s global legal issues. A professor at SMU’s Cox School of Business, he teaches a variety of courses including The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business.
The discussion will be held in the University Park Public Library’s Community Room and is complimentary and open to the public. Clay will have books for sale at the event. For more information, call 214-987-5650.
This is the first in a series of local author visits to the library in 2022. Be sure to check the library’s newsletter or events calendar for details about the authors that are coming in the months ahead.
|
|
Disposal of old smoke detectors |
|
Smoke detectors have an average life span of about 10 years. If your smoke detectors are that old, or they are no longer working and it's time to install new ones, here's how to properly dispose of them: After removing the unit's batteries, place the old detectors in your household garbage. Smoke detectors, vacuum tubes, and other specific items are exempt from licensing in the Texas Radiation Control rules (25 TAC Chapter 289).
As for the batteries, please do not place dead household batteries in your garbage or recycling bins. Dallas County's Household Chemical Collection Center will take them. The Center is located at 11234 Plano Road. Click on the button for more information about the Collection Center.
|
|
Follow the City on social media |
|
Have you made a New Year's resolution yet? Here's one - follow our social media accounts to keep up with City-related news, events, activities and projects! The City has social media accounts for various departments, including Parks, Police, Library and City Hall, giving residents easy and timely access to department-specific news and information. Click the buttons below to follow us on your favorite social media accounts! |
|
Upcoming City Meetings & Events |
|
STAY CONNECTED TO THE CITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
