City of University Park   
 June 2022
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.    
PARKS AND RECREATION
Park Cities 4th of July Parade & Post-Parade Celebration
This year's parade will be held on Monday, July 4. The parade will start at Highland Park Town Hall at 9 a.m. and proceed north on Preston Road to University Boulevard, heading east until ending in Goar Park. 
 
For more information about the parade go to the Rotary Club of the Park Cities July 4 parade page.

 
As the parade winds down, join us for some post-parade fun in Goar Park! Stay tuned for more details.
"A Taste of UP" at the Holmes Aquatic Center
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 remaining schedule -

Week of June 13: Amore Italian
Week of June 20: Yumilicious
Week of June 27: Lucky's Hot Chicken
Week of July 7: Crisp & Green
Week of July 11: New York Sub
CITY HALL
Shanna Sims-Bradish named Assistant City Manager
The City of University Park is pleased to welcome Shanna Sims-Bradish to our leadership team. Shanna will begin her duties as Assistant City Manager on July 5. Shanna’s selection follows an extensive local, regional and national search for highly qualified applicants. She will fill the vacancy that results from the retirement of Assistant City Manager Lea Dunn.

An Assistant City Manager with the City of Richardson since 2012, Shanna supervises seven city departments: Health/Animal Services, Budget, Parks and Recreation, Eisemann Center of the Performing Arts, Community Services, Human Resources and the Library.

With more than 27 years of experience in local government, Shanna’s commitment to public service includes similar roles with the City of Farmers Branch, the Town of Addison and the City of Carrollton, following early career assignments for the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts and the City of Lawrence, Kansas. Adept at strategic planning and financial analysis, Shanna is also skilled at working with interdepartmental teams, neighborhood groups, civic organizations and arts councils to develop programs and initiatives that benefit all concerned.  

In making the announcement, City Manager Robbie Corder said, “I am excited to have an experienced professional with the credentials and knowledge that Shanna possesses join our organization. Residents and co-workers will find her approachable and dedicated to the service of others and the betterment of University Park.” He continued, “This is a critical position for us, and I am confident that Shanna will elevate the organization’s performance and service.”

“I am honored and excited to join the University Park team,” Shanna said when accepting the position “The City has a reputation for providing high quality services to its residents. I’m looking forward to working with the staff and the community on a full range of tasks and projects.”

Awarded a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas (Buford Watson Scholar) in 1997, Shanna graduated in 1995 from the University of Missouri (Honors Diploma) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

A member and credentialed manager of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Shanna completed the ICMA Emerging Leader Graduate program in 2008 and is a member of the Awards Evaluation Committee for ICMA. She is also a graduate of Leadership Metrocrest (1999) and Leadership Richardson Class XXIX. Shanna’s civic involvement includes membership and leadership roles with Chambers of Commerce, P.E.Os and Rotary Club chapters, local PTA groups and local adult literacy organizations. 

Shanna replaces Assistant City Manager Lea Dunn, who is retiring on June 30. Lea’s 40-year career in local government began in Garland, and includes leadership positions in Bellaire and Addison. Lea’s tenure with the City of University Park began in 2016 as Director of Organizational Development. She has served in her current capacity since 2018. 

Throughout her six years with the City, Lea worked closely with various resident committees on a variety of issues related to long-term financial management, risk management, and insurance-related matters. Thanks in large part to her efforts, our Human Resources Department now has succession plans for each operational department. Lea’s ability to mold and develop policies that have lasting impact also placed her at the center of work on our Centennial Master Plan, library governance and information technology planning.    

Commenting on Lea’s service to our organization and the community, City Manager Robbie Corder said, “Lea’s innovative nature and her dedication to public service are inspiring to everyone in the field of city management. Lea leaves University Park better than she found it, which underscores her commitment to her professional and servant leadership. I am truly grateful Lea chose to work and live in University Park.“  
UP PUBLIC LIBRARY
La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas dresses on display
For the next couple of weeks, UP Public Library is pleased to exhibit gowns from the 2022 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 through June 25. 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 18 at 3 p.m. for stories, songs, dancing, and crafts with Princess Elsa! All little princes and princesses are invited to attend.  
Remaining Summer Reading Events
This summer is packed with offerings on Wednesdays to entertain and inspire all age groups from kids to grandparents! Information on how to enjoy these programs along with start times will be included in the library’s newsletters. Remaining program dates and performers are listed below. 

  • June 22 - Wild Things Animal Zoofari
  • June 29 - Meadows Museum
  • July 13 - Cowboy Roper Robert Duke
  • July 20 - All About Animals
  • July 27 - Crafternoon - Ocean Animals
FRIENDS OF THE UP PUBLIC LIBRARY
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Request a UPPD House Watch
Summer has arrived! Going on vacation? Don’t forget that you can have your home checked daily by a UPPD officer while you’re away for an extended period of time.

Click the green button below to download a House Watch Form, or to submit an online House Watch request.
CITY SOCIAL MEDIA
Star Spangled Sammy is back!
Do you recognize this sweet pal? It's Star Spangled Sammy! For the past few summers, Sammy visited UP in in the days leading up to the 4th of July and found some fun spots to hang out in the City. We asked the community to guess where Sammy was, and the first people to guess correctly received some awesome prizes.

Sammy is coming back this summer to see some new fun spots ahead of the Independence Day Parade. Make sure you are following us on Instagram so that you can participate in the contest, and be on the lookout for his locations during the week of June 27!
Upcoming City Meetings & Events