Number 231, December 2022
City of University Park, Texas, 3800 University Blvd.
Santa Around Town begins December 12
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 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 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
Holiday programs at UP Public Library
The University Park Public Library in the Plaza at Preston Center will be offering Christmas programs Saturdays in December with holiday entertainment for all ages. All programs begin at 10 a.m. For more information call the library at 214-363-9095.

December 3 – Christmas Craft Party
December 10 – Story Time with Mrs. Claus
December 17– Christmas Puppet Show

Sponsors: Christine McKenny and Allie Beth Allman and Associates

Library holiday hours

We will be closed for Christmas from Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, December 27. We will also be closed for New Year's beginning Saturday, December 31 through Monday, January 2. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, January 3.
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 regular delivery 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 fob, 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!
Elena's Children's Park Tree Lighting
For many years, residents from across the Park Cities have gathered at Elena’s Children’s Park to remember children who are no longer with us. The gathering features short remarks, holiday carols and the lighting of a holiday tree. Elena’s Children’s Park is located at the intersection of Boedeker and Hanover.

This year's Elena's Children's Park Tree Lighting will take place on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Streetscape mock-up of Snider Plaza surface improvements
Since the completion of the project that replaced water, sanitary sewer, and storm water utilities in and around Snider Plaza, the City has shifted focus to the next phase of planned improvements – the completion of construction documents for surface improvements that include new pavement, landscaping, pedestrian amenities, and parking enhancements.

To assist the City Council with consideration of final design elements, the City is constructing a streetscape mock-up to showcase all the components. The mock-up is located on City property along Rankin, just west of Snider Plaza. Later this month, the City’s website will have more details, including layout plans and a 3-D rendering of the proposed design. We invite you to walk this space and experience a preview of what's to come!
Retail parking reminders and Residential Parking Stickers
As you shop and dine in the Miracle Mile and Snider Plaza areas this month, please remember that most of the parking spaces in both retail centers have a two-hour time limit, and that all 15-minute slots are marked with signage that is posted in front of each spot. While Santa is making his list and checking it twice, his elves will also be keeping a close eye on infractions. Remember too, parking in the Hilltop Plaza garage on the south edge of Snider Plaza is free for the first hour.

Additionally, the City has five Residential Parking Districts, established by the City Council so that residents living near Highland Park High School, SMU and the Moody Family YMCA have available on-street parking. Residents who park at curbside during restricted hours must display a special parking sticker on their vehicles. Vehicles without a valid sticker, visitor hang tag, or temporary paper pass are subject to citation.
Our annual parking sticker application process is underway for residents who live in the Hillcrest West, Hillcrest East, R District and Y District. Existing stickers will expire on December 31, 2022, and the new parking district stickers are valid through December 31, 2023. Two stickers and two year-long visitor placards are provided per household, free of charge. Send an email to dkossmann@uptexas.org to obtain directions and the permit application electronically or stop by the Police administration office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Happy holidays from the Friends of the UP Public Library

Scott Sower - Friends President
The Friends of the University Park Public Library thank you for making 2022 another successful year! In October, the Friends were excited to re-open Second Chapter Bookstore, our volunteer-driven used bookstore, in its familiar location at 6916 Snider Plaza (between Short Stop & East Hampton). Second Chapter Bookstore has continued to become a larger part of what we do, allowing the community to come together and share their love of books. The ever-popular book art event is coming up. It will take place on Wednesday, December 7 from 7 to 8 p.m. We appreciate your continued support of the store. Please come by, say hello, and tell us about your favorite book before the store closes just after the holidays. The Second Chapter is made possible through the generosity of our landlord Bob Teeter and the guidance and support of Mayor Tommy Stewart, City Manager Robbie Corder, and Assistant City Manager, Shanna Sims-Bradish.
 
This fall, the Friends continued our "Meet Me at the Library Series," hosting speakers Sarah Blaskovich and Gary Cogill. Our next event is on Tuesday, December 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. featuring J.H. Cullum Clark. He's director of the Bush Institute – SMU Economic Growth Initiative and an adjunct professor of economics at SMU. Professor Clark will help us better understand what to expect from the economy in 2023 and how living in North Texas influences and impacts us. For more information on this event and to see a listing of our spring "Meet Me at the Library" events, please visit the Friend’s website.
 
The Friends of the University Park Public Library strives to enhance the mission of the University Park Public Library by raising funds for high-quality materials and services, educational programming, and special projects and equipment; hosting community programs and events; and providing trained volunteers. Please consider joining, donating, volunteering, or attending an event. You are the key to how much good we can accomplish.
 
We wish each of you a happy, healthy, and safe 2023, and hope you continue to support the Friends in the coming year!
Holiday sanitation schedule