City of University Park                         June 2017
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.       
Construction Project Updates 
Park Plaza Project - Demolition of the former Chase Bank Building will begin on Monday, June 19 . The parking lot to the west of the building is now closed to the public.

This work, on the corner of Hillcrest and Daniel, is part of the Park Plaza Project that involves the construction of a mixed-use development, featuring office space, retail shops and restaurants. Weather permitting, project completion is set for fall 2018.  

UP Elementary School Rebuild - Demolition is scheduled to begin next week (June 19 - 23).   City staff is working with HPISD on a traffic control plan.  Trucks are expected to enter the site from Lovers Lane and exit from Thackery Street.

  • Please be aware of trucks entering and exiting the construction site
  • Flagmen and traffic control signage will be in place to assist with truck and traffic flow

Following demolition, construction of the new UP Elementary building will begin. Anticipated project completion is August 2018.

Over the next 18 months several major construction projects will be underway in the Park Cities.  For the latest information and updates, click on the bar below.   
Parks and Recreation Department
Rotary Club of Park Cities July 4 parade  

Join your neighbors and line the streets of the Park Cities in celebration of the nation’s birthday!  The annual Independence Day Parade is set for Tuesday, July 4.

The parade begins at 9 a.m.  Parade participants will start lining up at 7:30 that morning near Highland Park Town Hall.  The family bicycle judging contest will begin at 8 a.m. at the Moody Family YMCA, 6000 Preston Road.  Bike entrants will join the parade at that point. 

Parade Route

The parade starts on Euclid Avenue and winds through a portion of Highland Park before traveling up Preston Road, turning right on University Boulevard and ending in University Park’s Goar Park. 

Family Festival in Goar Park

After the parade, Goar Park is the site of a patriotic family festival featuring music, food, and games.  The festival begins about 9:30 a.m. There is no admission charge.  So, bring the entire family and join the Rotary Club of Park Cities in honoring America and our community!  For more information, please go to the Rotary Club of Park Cities website.
2017 UP Firecracker 5K Fun Run

Celebrate America's birthday with a run through the beautiful streets of University Park!  On Tuesday, July 4, before the Park Cities 4th of July Parade, the City of University Park will host its annual "UP Firecracker 5K Fun Run."  Designed for participants of all ages and abilities, the run will begin and end at Curtis Park. Start time is 7:30 a.m. The City will provide participation medals for all those who complete the run. 

Fun Run registration detail

All participants, regardless of age, must register for the event. Runners 12 and under participate for free.  Fun Run t-shirts are guaranteed ONLY to those who pre-register.   For those who choose to register the day of the event, race t-shirts will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until the remaining shirts are gone.

Pre-Registration

For participants 13 and over, the fee to pre-register is $15. Monday, June 26 is the last day to pre-register, and be guaranteed a shirt. Please DO NOT mail forms after this date! Use the bar below to download the form to register by mail, or register in person at the Peek Service Center at 4420 Worcola Street. 

Race Day Registration

Registration the day of the race begins at 6:30 a.m. at Curtis Park. The fee for those 13 and over on race day is $20.  

Make checks payable to City of University Park Fun Run.  For more details, please visit the City’s website at uptexas.org, or contact the Parks and Recreation Department office at 214-987-5488.
2017 Pool Passes still on sale

Head to the Holmes Aquatic Center this summer! Our aquatics facility features a 50-meter pool, a sprayground and baby pool area, a water slide, and both 3- and 1- meter diving boards. 



Something new this summer at the pool - Wibit!

Attention Ninja Warriors - This summer, an inflatable obstacle course, similar to the one shown here, is part of the list of activities in the main pool at the Holmes Aquatic Center. Providing hours of floating fun for children 5 years and older, Wibit will be used throughout the pool season on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Timed competitions will add to the fun.  Life jackets will be available for children who need them.  
Shark School swim lessons at the Holmes Aquatic Center

Five distinct levels focus on pool safety and development of swim strokes, as well as lake and boating safety. An additional Toddler Aquatics class focuses on introducing aquatics and water play in a safe, fun environment that leads to swim lesson readiness.
UP Public Library  
Kids, you still have time to sign up for UPPL's summer reading program 
Registration for University Park Public Library’s popular summer program, UP With Reading! began June 3.  

Registered participants can take part in fun activities throughout June and July.  All activities, featuring special guests, will take place at the library on Wednesdays, beginning at 3 p.m.

Remaining lineup:
  • June 21 - Mad Science - science-themed show that will amaze and entertain
  • June 28 - Professor Brainius - wild and wacky interactive science experiments
  • July 12 - Take Me to the Stars – Fort Worth Children’s Museum staff
  • July 19 - Arctic Animals - search for Polar Bears and the animals that live among them
  • July 26 – Mr. Phil and Pete the Cat - interactive stories and jokes 
This summer’s UP With Reading theme is “Aim for the Stars.”  Each registered participant will be given a rocket ship to hang in the library.   Prizes will be awarded for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 hours of reading as hours are achieved.
  • A yard sign for each child who registers
  • A participation certificate for each child who reads 10 hours
  • A space ball for each child who reads 20 hours
  • A book to donate to Reach Out and Read* for each child who reads 30 hours
  • A book bag for each child who reads 40 hours
  • Each child who reads 50 or more hours will be entered into prize drawings
* For the second straight year, the University Park Public Library is proud to partner with the Highland Park Public Library in donating books to a local charity.  This year’s charity is Reach Out and Read, a group that incorporates books into pediatric care and encourages families to read aloud together.

Readers Cup trophy

The HPISD school whose students collectively read the most hours will be awarded the Readers Cup trophy.  Hyer Elementary School is the current champion. 

UP With Reading is funded by:


Upcoming Library Event
La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas Duchess Week
June 13 - June 24
2107 La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas duchess gowns are on display in the library until June 24.  In celebration, the library has two upcoming  programs for children:

Tiara and Crown Crafts - Saturday, June 17 at 2 p.m. - Make your own tiara or crown to wear!

The Princess and the Pea puppet show - Tuesday, June 20 at 2 p.m. - Learn what it means to be a true princess. 

Police Department  

House Watch

If you are going to be away from home for an extended period this summer remember -  you can have your home checked daily by a UPPD officer. 

There are two ways to sign up:

Go to the Resident Online Center of the City’s website. website.  If this is the first time entering a request for service using the Resident Online Center, you must create an account.  You will be asked to provide your name, address and email.

The second option is go to the Police portion of the City’s website.  Click on Police Services and Information.  Then,  click on House Watch and  download the House Watch form. Once you have provided all the necessary information, drop it off at the City's 9-1-1 Dispatch Center (3800 University Blvd.) or fax it to 214-987-5364.
Fire Department
New truck, new engine and new MICU now in service

Each piece of equipment displays the department's new color scheme.  All three apparatus were planned purchases paid for by the department's vehicle replacement fund.  In case they are needed, the department also has truck, engine and MICU reserve units. 
Truck - A 2016 105' Cyclone II Aerial Ladder Truck/Quint manufactured by E-One. The term Quint indicates that this is a dual-purpose apparatus with aerial ladder/master stream capabilities and a pump.
Engine - A 2016 Cyclone II Rescue Pumper manufactured by E-One.
MICU - A 2016 Frazer Mobile Intensive Care Unit with a Dodge chassis that is staffed with two paramedics at all times.  This apparatus provides advanced pre-hospital medical assistance and patient transport.
Sign up for Water My Yard

Deciding when and how much to water your lawn during the summer can be challenging.  Residents now have a quick and definitive way to answer those questions.  Sponsored by the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utilities District, the Park Cities are now 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. 

Weekly updates from Water My Yard

To learn more about the Water My Yard program, click on the bar below.  It only takes a few short online steps before you are set up to receive automated emails or text-messages with weekly watering guidance that is based on weather and soil conditions in the Park Cities. 
Upcoming City Meetings & Events 

 City of University Park | 214 - 363 - 1644 | www.uptexas.org