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OCTOBER 2023

Check out the senior city-services database on the Senior Resources webpage.
Explore the Senior Resources Guide
Man in hat fixing leaky toilet

Spot a Water Leak Before the Bill Arrives 


It can be difficult to know how much water you're using until your bill arrives. Don't be caught by surprise! Learn how to track your water use. An unusually high water bill is most often caused by a leak or change in water use. Some common causes of high water bills include:  

  • Leaking or running toilets 
  • Dripping faucets or fixtures 
  • Seasonal water use changes (watering more during summer heat, dripping faucets to avoid frozen pipes, adding water to pools and hot tubs)  
  • Watering the yard for new sod or trees  
  • Kids home for summer vacations or school holidays  
  • Hosting guests or underground leaks  


Watch this step-by-step tutorial to learn how to monitor your water use, and understand the information provided. The online portal allows you to view hourly water meter readings.  

 

Log in and view your last bill. Let us help you get started with this short video.


Review the City of Plano water rates here

Save Money with Winter Quarterly Averaging


Want to save money on your water bills? Remember to turn off sprinklers from December through March and repair any leaks. It’s during this period, called winter quarter averaging, that your annual sewer usage is calculated. Conserving water during this period translates into lower sewer charges. Visit Plano.gov/WaterBill and click on “Rates” for more details.

Plano Parks and Recreation NRPA Gold Medal Award

Plano is a 5x Gold Medalist in Park and Recreation Excellence


The City of Plano is the 2023 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Gold Medal Award winner for excellence in the field of park and recreation management. This is a well-deserved fifth win for us since first earning the award in 1979. NRPA recognizes agencies each year for:

  • Long-range planning and Resource management
  • Volunteerism and Environmental stewardship
  • Program and professional development
  • Community engagement


Plano Parks and Recreation consistently meets the needs of patrons with:

  • More than 7,000 health, wellness and recreational programs in 2022
  • Nearly 58,000 participants of all ages, backgrounds, income levels and abilities served
  • Collaborations with schools, businesses and non-profits for community-wide support 


Director Ron Smith added, “Winning the National Gold Medal is an amazing feeling. I am immensely proud of this department’s achievements, both past and present. Medal or no medal, we’ll keep meeting the health and wellness needs of this growing and diverse community through quality parks and recreation.”


Plano’s comprehensive Park Master Plan was designed to ensure we have:

  • A park within a 10-minute walk of 80% of our residents
  • A great senior recreation facility
  • Lots of classes to keep you mentally and physically fit
  • Increased market value to properties near parks, trails and open spaces   
Plano City Hall from 1950

Trek through Plano’s History through Online Pictorial Archive


A yearlong partnership with the Plano Parks and Recreation and the Planning departments resulted in a unique visual catalog that shows the City’s substantial growth over the past 50-plus years. 


The project began as two separate endeavors – Parks and Recreation staff had been cataloging decades-old photos, news clippings and historic materials. Meanwhile, the Planning team was working on its archival project. The Plano Public Library helped by uploading the combined projects to their Collin County Images webpage for the public to enjoy. The finished product is the Plano Parks and Land Development Archive. It includes images and interviews with former mayors and other key leaders.  


Learn about Plano’s growth and how its heritage unfolded through scenes from yesteryear.

Picking, Planting and Pruning Trees


November through March is an ideal time to plant a tree. Not sure which tree to choose? Use the Texas tree selector tool for guidance. When picking a tree at the nursery, always inspect the root system, leaves and stems. Check for roots that grow in a circle around the root ball. This means the tree has been confined in its container for too long and should be avoided. Pick a tree with a single, strong central trunk and no wounds or signs of disease. Learn more about picking, planting and pruning trees

Things to Do...Places to Be
Wellness Center Community Resource Fair 2023

See You at the Wellness Center Community Resource Fair 


The over-50 crowd and all caregivers are invited to the 5th annual Community Resource Fair presented by the Wellness Center for Older Adults, the City of Plano and Dignity Memorial. Visit with more than 60 companies that serve our aging community. Have fun meeting people, while gathering lots of info and door prizes.  


Learn about topics such as:

  • Legal, medical and celebration of life planning
  • In-home care services (medical and non-medical)
  • Senior transportation
  • Medicare and Medicaid
  • Senior living options and much more


The Fair includes a senior services panel discussion and offers free flu shots, health screenings and other valuable resources. Registration is appreciated.  


Community Resources Fair

Saturday, November 4, 9 am - 1 pm

Sam Johnson Recreation Center, 401 W. 16th Street

Plano Town Hall November 2023 graphic

November Plano Town Hall Focuses on Infrastructure Updates


Orange cones are the new normal in nearly every sector of the City and you may have wondered why. Get an update on the City’s streets, intersections, sidewalks, water system, parks and more as “infrastructure” is the topic of the next Town Hall. Also, hear about the new fiscal year Community Investment Program (CIP) projects underway.


Plano Town Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7-8 pm

Participate in these ways: 


Peek at Plano’s infrastructure construction 6-month outlook in the Community Impact News Plano October issue. Your comments are welcomed for this open forum.  

Flags of honor in field with hot air balloon

3-in-1 Plano Flags of Honor Event Benefits Veterans and First Responders


The 2023 Plano Flags of Honor pays tribute to our veterans and first responders with a multi-layered event that spans eight days. The Plano East Rotary Club and the City of Plano partnered with H-E-B, QT and others to support those in our community who “serve above self.” 


Plano Flags of Honor

Saturday - Saturday, November 4 – 11

Red Tail Pavilion, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway

The Plano East Rotary Club temporarily installs over 1,100 flags at Oak Point Park. Each flag features the story of a different service member. You can submit a story of a hero who exemplifies the meaning of “service above self.”


Saturday, November 4

Check out these first-day activities from 10 am to 8 pm


Plano Safety Fair and Touch-A-Truck, Noon-4 pm

Lay hands on and learn about fire trucks, ambulances, Careflite helicopters, trash trucks and bulldozers! Bring your future firefighter, construction crew leader or nurse for a fabulous time.


Fire Truck Pullooza, 1-3 pm

Watch the competition or form a team of family and friends to compete in pulling a 36-ton truck. Proceeds support veterans, first responders and other Rotary causes.


Enjoy student musical performances, chat with military historians, pet Patriot Paws dogs, hot air balloon lifts and food trucks!

Order Bricks of Honor for Veterans Memorial Park

Does your family have a legacy of military service? Honor those who have served in the military with an engraved brick paver at Plano Veterans Memorial Park. Place an order soon for a Memorial Day 2024 installation. Visit Planobricksofhonor.org for more details.

Plano Holiday Market 2023 graphic

Get Your Christmas Groove in Gear at the Plano Holiday Market


Plano Holiday Market is a fun and free event showcasing an incredible selection of handmade holiday gifts. Crafty and artistic folk from all over the region converge at Carpenter Recreation Center, November 18 – 19, to bring tons of holiday-themed goods made of fabric, wood, ceramic, glass and more. 


Other exhibitors have jewelry and clothing, candles and soaps. Discover an enticing selection of salsas, jams, nuts and dips perfect as gifts or for holiday parties. In addition, Collin County Seniors will stock the Hip Hip for Gray craft booth displaying a variety of unique quilts, baby items and ornaments.


Plano Holiday Market

Saturday, November 18, 9 am - 5 pm

Sunday, November 19, 11 am - 4 pm

Carpenter Park Recreation Center

6701 Coit Road

Texas Recycles Day 2023

Reduce Clutter, Help the Environment at Texas Recycles Day


Start cleaning out your garage, closet and attic now in preparation for Texas Recycles Day on Saturday, November 11. From 8:30 am to noon, donate reusable items to the City’s local partner organizations, and support reuse and recycling efforts. This drive-through, drop-off collection happens at Chase Oaks Church, 281 Legacy Drive.


Give your items new life by bringing them to Texas Recycles Day to reduce landfill-bound waste and change someone’s life for the better in the process! Examples of wanted items include bicycles, eyeglasses, arts and crafts supplies, and more. 


As you prepare your items, please separate them into different categories so they can be distributed properly. Visit Plano.gov/TRD to learn more.

Energize the Heart of Your Neighborhood


Discover why enduring relationships are the foundation of truly vibrant communities. Join neighbors from Plano, Garland, Rowlett and surrounding areas to make those connections for a more unique neighborhood that is flourishing with creativity. 


Dr. Nicole Foster, assistant professor of Sustainable Community Development at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin is the keynote speaker. Breakfast will be served.


2023 Neighborhood Summit

Saturday, November 11

8:30 am - Noon

Garland Fire Administration Building

Register to attend.

2023 Neighborhood Summit
open box of prescription bottles

Bring Expired and Unused Rx to Drug Take Back Event


Are outdated and unwanted drugs taking over your medicine cabinet? Clean house of the potential danger during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28. Drive by this free event offered by the Plano Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration from 10 am to 2 pm: 

  1. Mark out your name and address on the prescription bottles, or  
  2. Pour medications directly into a disposable bag and bring it to:
  • Clark High School, 523 W. Spring Creek Parkway  
  • Plano East Senior High School, 3000 Los Rios Boulevard  
  • Plano Senior High School, 2200 Independence Parkway  
  • Plano West Senior High School, 5601 W. Parker Road


Tablets, capsules and solid forms of medication are accepted. This is a safe and legal way to get rid of prescription pain pills and controlled-substance medications that can only be accepted for disposal in the presence of law enforcement. Do not bring needles, syringes or inhalers to this event. Find safe disposal options for these items on our medical waste webpage.

Plano Public Library - More Than Books
Man working at computer with A.I. on the screen

Discover and Learn with Plano Public Library


Stay up to date with the latest technology, implement sensible security measures and get a head start on the holidays with these upcoming programs from Plano Public Library:


  • A.I. in Everyday Life, Saturday, October 28 at 3 pm, Haggard Library. Learn about artificial intelligence and explore A.I. examples around us.
  • Internet Security, Friday, November 10 at 3 pm, Schimelpfenig Library. Get a free ticket starting at 2:30 pm before the class.
  • 'Tis the Season to be Safe: Enhancing Home Security, Tuesday, November 14 at 7 pm, Davis Library. Join Plano Police Officer Chris Bianez to learn practical techniques for making your home and valuables more burglar-resistant.
  • Green Gift Guide, Wednesday, November 15 at noon via Zoom, registration required. Consider eco-friendly gifts for family and friends this holiday season. 


For a complete listing of fall programs, view our online calendar or Engage brochure

Watch Helpful Videos about Your City

Hear about the latest City government news and special events.

Plano City News Ep. 100 - Town Hall, Drug Takeback, RIP Festival
Watch other City of Plano videos
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