In observance of Independence Day, there will be no residential trash, curbside recycling or brush collection on July 4. In addition, the following facilities will be closed: ● C ity Hall ● Heritage Aquatic Center ● Hunter Ferrell Landfill ● Irving Animal Care Campus ● Irving Arts Center ● Libraries ● North Lake Natatorium ● Recreation centers
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IRVING
CITY
CITY OF IRVING.ORG
J U LY 2 0 1 9 / V O L 2 6 / N O 7
PAID
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF IRVING
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE
Plan a visit to the Fritz Park Petting Zoo before it closes on July 31 for the season. Enjoy a hands-on encounter with farm animals. Admission is free.
IRVING, TX PERMIT NO. 883
All offices and services will resume normal business hours on July 5. n
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RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
City Holiday/No Trash Collection
CityofIrving.org A N O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E C I T Y O F I R V I N G
CELEBRATE JULY 4 WITH IRVING PARADE, FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Resident Input Sought for ‘Let’s Play Irving’ Parks Master Plan Ready for more places to run, jump, slide, swim, bike, walk and enjoy the scenery? Irving Parks and Recreation and Halff Associates are moving into the next phase of the ‘Let’s Play Irving’ Parks Master Plan. The team has put together the first draft of the final plan using information gathered from public meetings and an online survey. Respondents said they would like more diverse parks and recreation facilities, and specifically pointed out the desire for more sports fields and courts, natural spaces, playgrounds and multiuse trails. The draft is available online for public review and comment. The team chose 10 parks to assess in greater detail, throughout Irving. The recommendations applied to these parks will help shape improvements to existing parks and the design of future facilities. In assessing the city’s aquatic facilities, the team focused on attendance records at the three traditional outdoor pools, two outdoor leisure pools and the city’s two indoor pools. Between 2013 and 2017, attendance at the outdoor traditional pools has declined. The attendance figures show there is a greater demand for indoor facilities.
To address constructing new recreation centers and improving existing ones, the team developed three strategies. One strategy calls for the construction of two multigenerational facilities in Irving. Each facility would feature an aquatic component, as well as other amenities, including a fitness center and indoor sports courts. Another strategy involves working with North Lake College to build a recreation center for students and residents. A second element of that strategy would assess the feasibility of a recreation/library facility in the Las Colinas Urban Center. The remaining strategy does not involve the construction of new facilities but rather maintaining and improving existing recreation centers.
Irving is ready to celebrate Independence Day beginning with its free, annual parade at 9 a.m. July 4 in the Heritage District. This year’s parade theme is “Music of America.” Visit one of six candy stations that will be set up prior and following the parade along the route. Candy throwing during the parade will not be permitted. After the parade, a reception at Heritage Park, 217 S. Main St., will include free watermelon, music and children’s activities. The celebration will continue from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Levy Event Plaza, 501 E. Las Colinas Blvd., along Lake Carolyn. The evening’s events will include live entertainment from the Powell Brothers at 6:30 p.m. followed by Downtown Fever Band at 8 p.m. Fireworks will light up the sky at 9:30 p.m. over Lake Carolyn. There will be food vendors on-site, as well as activities, fun and fireworks. Admission and activities are free. Parking is available in area parking garages for $10 per vehicle (cash only). For more information, visit IrvingEvents.org. n
“The city already has phenomenal facilities. The master plan allows city staff to take the resident experience to a whole new level,” said Mayor Rick Stopfer. The team used survey results and public input to develop an action plan. Before any final decisions are made, the team wants residents to share their thoughts on the evaluations they have already made. To leave a comment and learn more about the master plan, visit LetsPlayIrving.com/Open-House-Materialsand-Presentation. n
SAVE THE DATE: CLEAR THE SHELTERS AUG. 17 Looking for a new best friend? The largest national animal adoption campaign, Clear the Shelters, is returning for its sixth year to Irving Animal Care Campus, 4140 Valley View Lane. The all-day adoption event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17. All animal adoption fees will be waived that day. Last year, 62 North Texas shelters participated and 7,292 animals found forever homes. There were 103,037 animals adopted from 1,200 shelters nationally during the 2018 event. Since the adoption campaign began in the City of Irving, the event has provided a positive effect on changing individual’s perceptions of local shelters and animal adoptions. Communities can see firsthand the clean facilities and the care shelters provide for their animals waiting to find homes. NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 will provide live adoption updates and event coverage at the Irving Animal Care Campus during the event.
Millennium Fountain Becomes an Even Grander Work of Art In celebration of the year 2000, the City of Irving built Millennium Fountain at 201 Sowers Road. Since then, the ornamental structure has served as a majestic landmark. Over the years, the pump and piping needed repair. While the city was designing the new infrastructure, the staff hit upon an idea: Why not add lighting? So they did, in a big way. They installed LED lighting that includes a wide range of colors. The lighting package includes programmable
functions so the city can light the fountain for various holidays, special events or days of recognition. “The illumination and the movement of the water is stunning,” said Mayor Rick Stopfer. “Residents now will be able to see the fountain day and night.” While Millennium Fountain is famous as a backdrop for wedding pictures, graduation photos or just beautiful water photography, it now offers visitors an even more interesting, brilliant and memorable experience. n
For adoption information and to view adoptable pets visit, CityofIrving.org/2086/Adopt. Residents also can follow the national campaign at CleartheShelters.com or the social media hashtag #CleartheShelters. n