NRH Among 50 Best Places to Live in U.S.

U.S. News & World Report has once again named North Richland Hills as one of the best places to live in the nation. This year, our community ranked #43 in the United States and #16 in Texas! 

More than 850 cities were evaluated for the 2026-2027 Best Places to Live based on value, desirability, job market, and quality of life and NRH truly shined. Last year, NRH ranked #64 nationwide and #19 in Texas.

Our upward momentum reflects our amazing residents, businesses, and City team who help every day to make NRH a welcoming, vibrant, and thriving place to call home. We’re proud to celebrate our place in the top 50 this year!

How to Report Storm Damage

Did the recent storms cause damage to your property? North Richland Hills homeowners and businesses are encouraged to use the Texas Division of Emergency Management's online tool to report storm damage. Click on “General Incident Damages.” Reporting your damage helps officials understand the full scope of the impact and determine what resources are needed to support a faster recovery. It only takes a few minutes!

Help Shape the Future of NRH Parks & Recreation

Your voice matters! Join NRH Parks & Recreation for a community open house to learn more about the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan and share your ideas for the future of our parks, trails, programs, and public spaces.

The open house will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, in the Grand Hall at the NRH Centre, 6000 Hawk Ave. Stop by anytime during the event to learn about the planning process, participate in interactive engagement activities and share your vision for the future of parks and recreation in NRH.

A Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment Survey is also available online for you to provide input. We look forward to hearing from residents of all ages as we plan for the next generation of parks, programs, and open spaces in our community.

NRHPD to Begin Testing DFR Program

Your NRH Police Department will soon begin testing a Drone as First Responder (DFR) Public Safety Program as part of ongoing efforts to serve the community more efficiently. While NRHPD has used drones for nearly a decade to assist with searches, document crash scenes, and enhance officer safety, advancing technology now allows drones to be launched remotely, getting eyes on a situation faster than ever before.

A key example is major vehicle crashes, where inaccurate location details can delay responders. With DFR, a drone can quickly pinpoint the exact location, helping first responders reach those in need sooner. The program does not replace traditional police or fire response; instead, it provides critical information in the earliest moments of a call.

For the trial period, two drone docks will be installed at a central location in the city, allowing operators to launch in as little as 20 seconds. As with the current drone program, DFR will comply with all federal laws and departmental policies. NRHPD is committed to privacy rights and has multiple safeguards in place to ensure the program is properly administered. DFR is not a surveillance tool and will be monitored the entire time it's in use, with pilots deciding when to launch based on the call's priority, details, and the drones' ability to offer assistance.

NRHPD looks forward to evaluating the program and sharing results as the trial moves forward.

Behind the Scenes with NRH Public Works

In recognition of National Public Works Week last week, our team rolled out a short, 5-part video series taking you inside their spaces at the NRH City Services Complex. From the fleet bays to the sign shop, Operations Manager Kenneth Garvin gave us an "MTV Cribs" style tour of where their work happens with plenty of hard work and zero celebrity bling! The tour was shared on our social media pages and the city's website. If you missed it, we invite you to watch it now: NRH Public Works Tour

Huge thanks to our dedicated Public Works crews who keep North Richland Hills running strong every single day!

City Council Meeting Highlights

Following are highlights from the May 26, 2026 City Council Meeting. Visit our public meeting portal to view the full meeting agenda and video.

Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan Process

During the work session, the City Council received an overview of the process for updating the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan, which will guide long‑term planning and investment in the NRH parks and recreation system. The presentation outlined a four-phase approach including extensive community engagement and a systemwide assessment to align future priorities with resident needs.

Teen Court Scholarship

The Northeast Tarrant Teen Court presented a $3,000 scholarship award to Kylie O'Hara. She is a recent high school graduate who's volunteered for multiple years with Teen Court and proudly represented the court at the annual Teen Court Mock-Trial Competition. This fall, Kylie will attend the Honors College at Texas Tech to major in political science, with the ultimate goal of attending law school.

Zoning Request for Barber School

The City Council approved a request for a barber school at 8703 Bedford Euless Road.

Appointments

• Council Member Kelvin Deupree was re-appointed to serve as mayor pro tem for a period of one year. The mayor pro tem fills in for the mayor during his absence.
• Eric Welborn was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission
• Lindsey Eagan was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Keep NRH Beautiful Commission

Board and Commission Term Lengths

The City Council approved an ordinance to extend terms for multiple NRH boards and commissions from 2 years to 3 years, aligning them with the Council’s new 3‑year terms. The 3-year terms will be phased in for the Keep NRH Beautiful Commission, Library Board, Teen Court Advisory Board, Parks & Recreation Board and Construction Code of Appeals Board. The Planning & Zoning Commission has already transitioned to 3-year terms.

John Barfield Trail Project

The City Council approved an engineering and design contract with Braid, Hampton & Brown, Inc. for a John Barfield Trail improvement project. This project will move a current on-road section of the trail to the Oncor easement located behind Spring Oak Drive. Following the design work, a construction contract will be awarded later this year or in early 2027.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8.

Summer Fun for Everyone at Your NRH Library!

Summer has arrived and your North Richland Hills Library is the place to be! Whether you are looking to keep the kids engaged during the break from school or searching for your own next great adventure, the library has an incredible lineup of free activities and programs designed for all ages. Here are three fantastic summer programs you won’t want to miss:

🏅Mayor's Summer Reading Club

Fuel a lifelong love of learning and keep those reading skills sharp! Perfect for children, teens, and families, this annual tradition features weekly performances, cool rewards, and plenty of motivation to turn the pages all summer long. The fun begins with the MSRC kick-off party from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, May 30. The Library parking lot and part of Hawk Avenue will be closed for this event. Primary parking will be at the Corporate Center at the Crossing, with complimentary golf cart shuttles. If you are planning to attend, please view the event map.

✍️ Behind the Book Author Series

Get an insider’s look at the creative process! This popular series brings best-selling authors directly to our community for engaging presentations, Q&A sessions, and book signings that adult book lovers and aspiring writers will adore. A ticketed lunch reception will also be hosted for each author by the Friends of the NRH Library. This summer's fantastic lineup kicks off on Saturday, June 20, with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Wingate discussing her latest book, Shelterwood.

🌍 Celebrating Culture Series

Expand your horizons right here in NRH. This vibrant series features live performances that celebrate diverse traditions and cultures, offering enriching experiences for both the young and the young at heart. Saturday, June 6, enjoy a performance by Bandan Koro, a Dallas-based African drum and dance company.

Check out the full calendar of events on the Library's website or in the calendar section of the NRHTX app. Just a reminder that seating is limited and these popular events do fill up. To make sure you don't miss out, please plan to arrive a little early.

Upcoming Events

🧘🏽‍♀️ Free Community Yoga in the Park

Reduce anxiety, alleviate pain, and lower blood pressure while improving flexibility and balance. NRH Centre yoga instructor Stephany Padilla will lead a beginner-friendly yoga class on Saturday, May 30 at 9 a.m. at Northfield Park. No experience needed—just bring a mat and a willing heart! Please register in advance.

🌳Library in the Park

The NRH Library is bringing story time to a park near you! Join them on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. for stories, songs, and rhymes in one of our local parks. Check the Library's calendar for the park location each Tuesday through June 9.

🚲👟 NRH Bike & Hike Series

Join us for the NRH Bike & Hike Series on Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. starting from Cross Timbers Park. This monthly event is a great opportunity to get outside and be active in a fun and welcoming setting. You choose to bike or hike at the park location listed each month. Find more details and the full schedule on our website. 

🎵 NRH Art ENCORE Concert with Memphis Soul

Memphis Soul, DFW's premiere Motown band, will take the stage for a special 90-minute concert at the NRH Centre Plaza on Friday, June 5. Seating is on the lawn, starting at 6 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs.

🌞 Play Today NRH

Join NRH Parks & Recreation on the first Saturday of the month at different park locations for Play Today NRH. On Saturday, June 6, they will be at Green Valley Park from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. All ages and abilities welcome. 

Never miss an event! Access our calendars on the NRHTX app. Available for iPhone and Android.