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.
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Monday, April 8 - Solar Eclipse
A limited number of Centennial branded eclipse glasses will be available for residents to pick up at UP Public Library during regular business hours beginning April 2.
Tuesday, April 9 at 1:30 p.m. - A Look Back at the History of the University Park Fire and Police Departments at UP Public Library
Panel will include Fire Chief Randy Howell and UPPD CID Lieutenant Curtis Ellenburg, and will be moderated by former UP Director of Communications and Marketing Steve Mace.
Tuesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. - A Visit with the Mayors at UP Public Library
Panel is scheduled to include Mayor Tommy Stewart (2020-present), Mayor Olin Lane (2014-2020), Mayor Dick Davis (2010-2014), Mayor Harold Peek (1998-2004) and Mayor Roy Coffee (1976-1982), and will be moderated by former City Councilmember Gage Prichard.
Wednesday, April 10 - Free admission to George W. Bush Presidential Center and the Meadows Museum at SMU
George W. Bush Presidential Center
The George W. Bush Presidential Center is proud to celebrate the City of University Park’s centennial by offering free admission to our neighbors on April 10, 2024. Experience the presidency by getting your photo in our exact replica of the Oval Office; listen to advisors and decide how you would act during a pivotal national moment; and reflect before steel from the World Trade Center. Free admission also includes access to our special exhibit, Freedom Matters, which takes a look at the evolution of freedom and the American experiment through rare artifacts.
Meadows Museum
- On Wednesday, April 10, UP residents get free admission all day (10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Show a valid driver’s license as proof of residence.
- From Sunday, April 7, through Saturday, April 13, any UP resident who joins as a new member gets an additional 3 months free. Register in person at the museum with a valid driver’s license as proof of residence.
Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m.
100th Anniversary Ceremony: Dedication of Centennial Tree and Time Capsule in Goar Park
Friday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to noon
Open Houses at City facilities (City Hall, Peek Service Center, UP Public Library, Transfer Station)
Saturday, April 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. - Centennial Celebration in Goar and Williams Park (more details below)
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Centennial Week Promotions |
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During Centennial Week (April 7-13), some local businesses will be offering various Centennial promotions, including Centennial-branded items and discounts. Visit the Centennial Week Promotions page on our website for the latest information and more details on each of these offerings!
Participating businesses include -
- JD's Chippery
- La Madeline
- The Lucky Dog Barkery
- New York Sub
- Original ChopShop
- Pokey O's Cookies and Ice Cream
- Solo Burgers & Wings
- TIGHT Lagree Dallas Studio
- Yummy Donuts
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Centennial Celebration - Saturday, April 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. |
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We hope you will join us at the Centennial Celebration, taking place in Goar and Williams Parks on Saturday, April 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature food trucks and entertainment for all ages. After dark, a spectacular drone show will highlight 100 years of community history!
Featured food trucks include:
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Purchase your Centennial Book & Centennial Bricks |
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Own the book specially commissioned to capture and commemorate ten formative decades of an incredible city and explore the twists and turns that led to the culture and unique characteristics of the community we know and love. This coffee-table style book follows city history, by decade, starting with our founding families and SMU's beginnings, to avoiding annexation by Dallas, and the development of our churches, schools and neighborhoods, the acquisition of park lands, our unique architecture, our retail centers, anecdotal fun-facts, the role of city leaders and much more!
The Centennial book is available for pre-order through June 30, 2024 for $50. Books will be ready for delivery in July 2024.
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Residents also have the opportunity to purchase a Centennial brick to help celebrate the City of University Park’s 100th anniversary and commemorate this milestone in a tangible manner. Each brick has three lines of text to acknowledge individuals, families or organizations of the purchaser's choosing. Centennial bricks will be installed in a Centennial Promenade in Goar Park in late 2024.
Centennial bricks are on sale for $250.00 per brick, while supplies last. Bricks will be sold through June 30, 2024.
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Youth Advisory Commission application deadline is March 31 |
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University Park high school students who are interested in community service and learning about City operations may want to apply for a slot on the City's Youth Advisory Commission.
While learning about local government operations, YAC members help promote the City's ongoing recycling program and other community initiatives. They also staff various annual events, including the summer fishing derby, the Park Cities Recycling Events and the Snider Plaza Tree Lighting. Commission members also act as an advisory group for the City on issues that could directly impact teenagers.
The application deadline is March 31. The City will begin interviewing applicants in April. To be eligible for consideration for this 20-plus member group, students must reside in University Park. They must also be in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade at the start of the 2024-25 academic year.
Each Commission member will be expected to attend all group meetings and actively participate in all designated events. Community service hour credits are one of the many benefits of serving on the Commission.
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Goar Park hosts "Eggstravaganza" on March 23 |
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Celebrate spring and hop on over to Goar Park on Saturday, March 23 for the City’s annual Easter egg hunt! The event, designed for children up to 8 years old, gets underway at 9 a.m. Participation is free of charge.
Eggstravaganza activities
- The Easter egg hunt begins at 10 a.m.
- Remember to bring baskets for egg collection
- More than 10,000 plastic eggs will be placed in the park (Drop-off boxes will be on site so that plastic eggs can be reused after candy is removed)
- The Easter Bunny will be on site for Easter photos
- Bounce houses and face painters will add to the fun
- The UP Public Library booth will feature a spring-themed craft and assist you with library card registration
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2024 Holmes Aquatic Center pool passes on sale April 1 |
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Pool season is quickly approaching! Remove the stress by skipping the line, purchasing your pool pass, and registering for programs online!
Beginning April 1, you can purchase your pool passes for the upcoming season via CivicRec from the comfort of your own home! Click the button below to log in to CivicRec.
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Change your clocks, change your batteries |
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Daylight saving time ended Sunday. When the clock sprung forward, did you change the batteries on your household smoke alarms?
For those needing assistance with this task, especially the elderly and individuals with disabilities, UPFD personnel will test home smoke alarms. If needed, the department will also provide and install smoke alarms for free. To arrange an in-home visit please call the department’s administrative secretary at 214-987-5380.
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FRIENDS OF UP PUBLIC LIBRARY |
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Meet Me at the Library Finale |
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Join us on May 14 for our final Spring 2024 Meet Me at the Library Series when the Friends is proud to present Robbie Corder, City Manager of University Park, to discuss the Centennial Master Plan beginning at 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. for lite bites). The presentation will be in the Community Room of the UP Library located at 8383 Preston Center Plaza, third floor. Please RSVP.
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Our 2024 membership campaign is quickly coming to a close, but you can still support the Friends by becoming a Friend today! Membership levels start as low as $50 per year. If you enjoy the programming that the Friends presents and appreciate the community that Second Chapter Bookstore creates, please consider joining us. For the first time since the Library opened in 2013, you also have an opportunity to purchase a permanent plaque on the first floor of the Library. And at the Director level, you will receive an extra year of membership. Help us attain our goal of 100 new members during our 2024 campaign! Join or renew online by clicking here.
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Splash Bash is back! On May 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Holmes Aquatic Center, join us for Splash Bash, generously sponsored by Complete Landsculpture. Your admission of $20 per person or $80 per family not only gets you in the pool before it officially opens to the community, but also gets you free hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hotdogs! Purchase your tickets before they sell out!
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Upcoming City Meetings & Events |
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STAY CONNECTED TO THE CITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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