Number 230, November 2022
City of University Park, Texas, 3800 University Blvd.
Murzin Family Playground
The playground in Coffee Park is now named Murzin Playground at Coffee Park after Chris Murzin, who was committed to improving the lives of those who are disabled. A plaque was unveiled at a beautiful ceremony attended by Murzin's family and friends, City Council and City staff on Saturday, October 22.

Chris was a fierce advocate for children with special needs, and he was actively involved with efforts to support and enhance their lives. He worked closely with HPISD and University Park leadership on accessibility issues. In the mid-2000s, during a renovation of Coffee Park, Chris began a movement to make local playgrounds accessible for all children, regardless of physical or intellectual capabilities. That is now the standard for playgrounds throughout Dallas and many other communities in North Texas.
Snider Plaza Tree Lighting - Sunday, November 20
Residents from throughout the area gather in University Park’s Snider Plaza to celebrate the coming holiday season. The festivities, featuring live holiday carols and dance, take place near the Plaza’s famous fountain. The highlight of the night comes when the holiday tree is illuminated.  Look for more details about the event in November's UPdate.  
Snider Plaza Parking Reminder
With cooler temperatures here, you have the opportunity to keep your vehicle dry and warm when you go to eat and do some holiday shopping in Snider Plaza. Through an agreement between the City and building management, your first hour of parking in Hilltop Plaza’s parking garage is free, and the rate is only $3 an hour after that. Access to the garage is available from Daniel Avenue (across the street from Kuby’s).
Park Cities Recycling Event scheduled for November 12
The next Park Cities recycling event will take place in the SMU parking lot on the south side of Burleson Park on Saturday, November 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Here is another chance to clear out your garage, attic and closets of old financial and medical documents, outdated or unused electronics and even clothing and furniture.
Paper products and documents that can be disposed of include: Tax records, medical records, legal files, financial records, invoices, canceled checks, blueprints, contracts, payroll records, company letterhead, junk mail containing personal information and any information that contains credit card, social security, driver license and account numbers.

Accepted E-waste items include: Computers, computer monitors, computer accessories, TV’s, printers, DVD/CD players, copiers, fax machines, scanners, cell phones and chargers, external hard drives, video and camera equipment, video game systems, cables, power cords, power strips and more.

Participating firms/organizations

  • Friends of the University Park Library will be on-site collecting new and gently used books for the Second Chapter Bookstore (no textbooks please).
  • Shred-it will collect and shred all documents on-site.
  • Global Asset collects and disposes of all E-waste items. In addition to working with the City and other municipalities, the company currently supports over 150 clients in the public sector. Global Asset removes data on all collected storage devices using Department of Defense security standards.
  • Salvation Army will also be on-site. Donated items must be in working condition, and contain all parts and accessories. Clothing items must not be torn or stained. The Salvation Army will also take all wood furniture, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, dryers and any other appliances. All donors will be given a receipt for tax deduction purposes. 
Sign-up for UPPD’s Security Camera program
UPPD's Community Camera Program is a simple way to help the department fight crime. If your home has a security camera system, please consider joining the list of residents who have agreed to provide UPPD with access to their systems to assist our investigators. Video surveillance is one of the best methods for catching and convicting those who are caught in the act of committing a crime, and UPPD has made several arrests thanks to this valuable partnership.

Here is the online registration form.

Please note that the information you provide about your camera system will be for official use only. Your personal information will remain confidential and not be distributed except as required by law or court order. This program is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw consent to view video footage from your camera system at any time.

Here are some tips to ensure that your security cameras are positioned properly:

  • An exterior facing camera with a street or alley view is recommended
  • The front door, back door and entrance to the backyard are other good positions
  • If you want to capture vehicle license plates, get cameras with zoom capability
  • Outside cameras should be placed at a high level to prevent being damaged or tampered with
  • Consider nighttime outdoor lighting or night vision security cameras
  • Consider your neighbor’s privacy, don’t point cameras into their backyards or living spaces
  • Doorbell cameras are very popular and offer close up views of people at your front door
Early voting information
The Dallas County Elections Office website is your best source for information about the election, including Voting Center locations, sample ballots and voter eligibility. If you live in Dallas County, you can vote at any Voting Center in the County. For voters in University Park, the closest Voting Center is University Park United Methodist Church at 4024 Caruth Blvd. Voting Center hours differ slightly depending on the date. On November 1 and November 2, voting takes place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On November 3 and November 4, voting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Voters can also wait until Election Day, November 8 to cast their ballot. Voting hours on November 8 are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thanks for recycling - Keep up the good work!
Each year, UP residents and businesses help the city divert almost 25 percent, or more than 3,000 tons of recyclable material from area landfills. This means, while constantly reducing the environmental impact of disposal, our community is also extending the usefulness of recycled products. The City’s recycling stream includes glass, cardboard, aluminum and tin cans, paper, and plastic bottles and jugs. However, our recycling stream also includes contamination, a term used to describe any item that should not be recycled. Contaminated items include non-recyclables like plastic toys, a greasy pizza box, or a bottle of milk or soup can that has not been rinsed. While University Park’s contamination rate is lower than the national average, here are a few simple steps you can take to reduce contamination and improve our recycling stream.
 
  • Know what to recycle. A list of items accepted for recycling is available on the city website and in this brochure.
  • Bottles, cans and jars should be clean and dry when placed in your recycling bin.
  • Recyclable material should be put directly into your recycling container, not in a bag. Plastic bags can get caught in the recycling facility’s sorting equipment and cause damage to the equipment.

For more information, please visit the city’s website or download the brochure below.
Holiday sanitation schedule
Holiday gift shopping? How about Second Chapter Bookstore?
Two days a week through December 18, Second Chapter Bookstore is the place to go to purchase gently used, donated books. The store is operated by the Friends of the University Park Public Library, with proceeds going to the library.

Located at 6916 Snider Plaza, next to East Hampton Sandwich Co. and Short Stop, the store is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

If you are interested in donating new or gently used books to Second Chapter Bookstore, The Friends are taking drop-off donations at University Park Peek Service Center located at 4420 Worcola St. Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more details on all of this, visit the Friends website.
Friends of the Library Fall Fundraiser
Please join the Friends in welcoming Gary Cogill, an Emmy award-winning journalist, speaker, movie producer, voice-over actor and consultant, to our Fall Fundraiser. For 24 years, Gary served as the film critic for WFAA-TV in Dallas (ABC), reviewing more than 10,000 films and conducting more than 20,000 interviews with industry leaders.

Through scenes from classic films, interviews with actors and directors, and personal introspection, Gary explores the notion that inside all of us is a movie trying to get out.
Mark your calendar for Santa Around Town!
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 12 and continues through Friday, December 16 starting at 6 p.m. each night. More details to come.