City of University Park   
 May 2021
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
The Holmes Aquatic Center opens for the season on May 29!
Ready to take a dive at the Holmes Aquatic Center this summer?! Here are dates and times of particular interest:
Pool passes
Those who want to renew a Holmes Aquatic Center pool pass can do so using the Parks and Recreation Department’s online system, or by calling the Department at 214-987-5488. If you haven't signed up for a pool pass before, but you want to this summer, we need to verify your residency! For more information on how to get a new pool pass, click here.
Caught a Catfish in the Caruth Park pond yet?
Time is running out to catch a catfish or two. This year’s annual virtual Children’s Fishing Derby ends on May 29. We've stocked the pond in Caruth Park with 400 pounds of catfish! While at the pond, please practice social distancing and catch-and-release procedures.

Junior anglers and their families can still enter a weekly contest on the City's Facebook page to win prizes from the UP Public Library for the largest catch. On remaining Mondays, look for the “Catfish Contest” post and comment a picture of your biggest catch to enter! Show off your biggest catch on your own social media accounts by using the hashtag #hooklineandliteracy when posting!   
 
Related Fishing Derby activities:
 
This year, UP Parks and Recreation has reeled in some special activities, partnering with UP Public Library! The library has prepared a make-at-home fishing craft, and through May 29 young readers can access a special reading list loaded with books to get them hooked on fishing. Look for information about the craft project and the reading list on the library’s Facebook page or Instagram account.
CITY HALL
Community CloseUP website photo contest
Have you noticed the photo bar on our website home page?! Well, we want to see YOUR photos there! We are hosting another Community Photo Contest and we can’t wait to see what amazing photos we receive!

What will catch our eye? We want to see what you love most about our community – and what you think captures the true essence of University Park! We are also looking for some spring and summertime photos! If you are interested in participating, submit your original photos in a JPG format by emailing them to  media@uptexas.org. We will accept photos until May 31. The photos chosen by our communications team will be on display beginning in June.  

Legal stuff -- By entering the contest, you grant the City of University Park a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including but not limited to the City website, social media accounts, and newsletter publications.
Citizen of the Year search continues
Through Tuesday, June 1 the City is accepting applications for the 2021 Citizen of the Year Award.

The City Council created the award to boost public awareness and appreciation for the many residents who work, often behind the scenes, to better the city's quality of life. Rather than acting out of a need for recognition, these residents are driven by a desire to contribute to their community. Whether beautifying our neighborhoods, increasing local opportunities for our youth, raising money for various worthy projects, or assisting those in need in this time of social distancing, all demonstrate an exceptional level of citizenship.

To nominate a resident of any age, click on the green button below. A panel of residents will select and notify the honoree the week of June 7. The honoree will receive a plaque and a special Citizen of the Year gift from the Mayor.

Nominees for Citizen of the Year must:

  • Be a University Park resident;
  • Have worked to improve the quality of life in University Park.

Current and former Mayors and Councilmembers are not eligible for this award. If you have questions about the nomination process, please call Steve Mace at 214-987-5301 or email him at: smace@uptexas.org.

Recent Citizen of the Year honorees:

2020 - Erin Schreyer
2019 - Brad Bradley
2018 - Randy James
UP PUBLIC LIBRARY
Register for UP Public Library's Genealogy Class
Hybrid Program: Join Us in the Library or on Zoom
May 18 at 2 p.m.
 
Have you been meaning to start your family history search? Attend our free class! Library Director Sharon Perry will teach you about the differences and attributes of the four largest genealogy websites: Ancestry, Family Search, MyHeritage and FindMyPast. The in-person class is limited to 15 participants. Send an email to sperry@uptexas.org to register and let us know if you'll be attending in-person or online.
COMMUNITY NEWS
DART is designing a new bus network to better serve North Texas residents
Some DART bus routes have been running the same paths since World War II, and most of the network was designed in the 1980s.

In recent decades the urban area has grown enormously and the places people go for work, shopping and other purposes have changed. The rail and bus network was originally designed around downtown Dallas, but more of the region’s activity happens far outside of that center today. While DART has made small changes over the years, a fresh look is needed. Your input on this redesign is welcome.
Upcoming City Meetings & Events