The Arbor - June 2023

Number 237, June 2023

City of University Park, Texas, 3800 University Blvd.

This summer's "A Taste of UP" lineup

Pool season is back and so is "A Taste of UP"! Again this summer, enjoy food delivered to the Holmes Aquatic Center from some of your favorite UP restaurants. Each week, the Parks and Recreation Department will feature a different restaurant and encourage patrons to have the food delivered poolside. Here is the full schedule of featured restaurants!

Don't forget to lock your bike

In recent weeks, we've noticed an uptick in reported bicycle thefts. So, this reminder from the University Park Police Department - most bikes are stolen because they are easy to take.

Here are some tips for reducing bike thefts:

U-shaped locks are best for keeping bikes secure when they are in public view. It's best to lock the frame and one wheel to a fixed object.
Once you are back home, don't leave your bike in plain sight. Take a few moments to place it in the garage or inside your house.
If the garage is where you park your bike, don't forget to close the garage door and to lock up.
Lastly, write down the serial number of your bike (it's under the bottom bracket where the two pedal cranks meet) and take a photo of it. Both steps will help police as they try to recover it.

Children's Fishing Derby - Saturday, June 3

The pond will be stocked and the fish will be biting! The City of University Park is hosting another Children’s Fishing Derby. This one is on Saturday, June 3 at Caruth Park from 9 a.m. to noon. Children must bring their own pole and bait. “Catch and Release” procedures will be followed.

Every hour awards will be presented for the largest and smallest fish caught! In addition, you will be able to sign up for UP Public Library's Summer Reading Program at the event. Just visit the library booth to register and collect your sign up prizes. Hope to see you there!

A summer of fun at the Holmes Aquatic Center!

The pool is officially open for the season! It's not too late to get your pool passes so that you and your family are in the swim of things this summer. We have aquatic programs for all ages and abilities!

Here are some things to know:

The pool will remain open until 9 p.m. this pool season! That's right, now you'll get to cool off in the pool for a bit longer during the hot summer nights.
Have you participated in any of our exciting aquatic programs? We offer swim lessons, swim team and much more. Make sure you are following our social media accounts for announcements about new/returning programs!
Celebrating a birthday this summer? We'd love to host you! Visit RecTrac to make your reservation online today!

July 4 parade and Goar Park festivities

Summer weather is here, which means July 4 is just around the corner! In conjunction with the Rotary Club Park Cities, on Tuesday, July 4, floats, fire trucks, antique vehicles, a band or two and decorated bikes and their riders will travel through various neighborhoods, 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!

La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas gala dresses on display soon at UP Public Library

This month, UP Public Library is pleased to exhibit gowns from the 2023 La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas gala. These gowns are worn by duchesses when they present in the annual pageant that reflects the history of the Six Flags of Texas and the Park Cities. The duchesses are young women from the Park Cities, and the gala is a fundraiser for various Park Cities organizations, including our library. The gowns will be on exhibit from June 6 through June 17. You can view the dresses by visiting the library during regular business hours.

You can also get in the sovereign spirit by joining us for Princess Story Time on June 17 at 3 p.m. for stories and songs with Alexxia Carter, Miss Park Cities' Outstanding Teen! There will also be some special princess guests. All little princes and princesses are invited to attend.

New HPISD student art on display in City buildings

In 2007, City Hall began displaying award-winning art from HPISD to showcase the talent of young Park Cities residents. Enjoying ample exhibit space in its beautiful home in the Plaza at Preston Center, University Park Public Library also has student art on display. All the pieces were selected from HPISD’s recent Highlander Festival art show. The collection includes pieces from each HPISD school. Eight are on display at the library, and the other eight are on display at City Hall. Each piece shows the title of the work, the student’s name, grade level and campus. This art will remain on display until next spring, when 16 new selections will be made.

Let Water My Yard help you decide how much to water

Deciding when and how much to water your lawn during the summer can be challenging. Residents have a quick and definitive way to answer those questions. Sponsored by the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utilities District, the Park Cities are part of the Water My Yard program. Offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, this free online tool helps you determine how much supplemental water is needed to maintain a healthy lawn year-round.

To learn more about the Water My Yard program, go here. It only takes a few short online steps before you are set to receive automated emails or text messages with weekly guidance that is based on weather and soil conditions in the Park Cities!

Watering Restrictions

Consistent with ordinances in many other area communities, outdoor watering days are determined by street address.

Even - Residents with addresses ending in an even number can use automatic sprinklers on Sundays and Thursdays.
Odd - Addresses ending in an odd number can use automatic sprinklers on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
Multi-family addresses and office buildings will water using their lowest street address number.

Watering restriction exemptions

Residents can water at any time of the day or night, and on any day of the week with a hand-held hose, a drip irrigation device, soaker hose or watering can.
Automatic sprinkler systems can be used during the repair or testing of a new or existing system and to irrigate newly planted landscapes within 30 days of installation.
Automatic sprinklers can be used to irrigate athletic fields used for organized sports to protect the health and safety of the players, staff and officials present for athletic events.
Sprinkler systems that are not connected to the City's water system are exempt from outdoor watering restrictions.

City providing free mosquito dunks

Help us limit the mosquito population this summer! The City is providing mosquito dunks to UP residents who stop by City Hall (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - 3800 University Blvd.). To receive the product you must provide us with your street address. Mosquito dunks will be provided, one pack to each resident, until our supply is gone. This same product can be purchased at local garden centers.

Mosquito dunks look like a small, beige donut. They float in standing water. As the dunk slowly dissolves, it releases a bacterium which is toxic to all species of mosquito larvae. Dunks can be used in fish ponds, birdbaths, flower pots, rain barrels or any place where water collects and remains for a period of time. The dunks kill mosquito larvae before they grow to become biting and disease-spreading adults. The product is harmless to other living things. Each dunk is effective for a 30-day period.