THE LATEST NEWS & UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF ALLEN, TEXAS
Allen in Bloom: Seeds and Wildflowers Beautify the City
Allen is blooming—and not just with beauty, but with purpose. From a new seed library at Allen Public Library to vibrant wildflowers across city medians, support of native plants and wildlife is taking root in big ways.
Wildflowers with a Purpose
Allen’s wildflower initiative is turning heads while turning the city into a pollinator-friendly haven. Native plants such as Indian Blanket, Evening Primrose, Red Corn Poppy and Bachelor’s Button reduce mowing to just once a year, support vital pollinators and provide color from spring through fall.
INSIDE THIS
Allen In Bloom: Seeds And Wildflowers Beautify The City
Bark Yard Debuts Vibrant New Art Installations
During DRAC Makeover, Beat The Heat At Ford Pool
Upcoming Events: Find Fun Things To Do In Allen
Gardens Grow Thanks to Allen Public Library
Allen Parks and Recreation's horticulture team has planted a custom mix of 14 annuals and perennials across key locations, including Spirit Park, Station Park Drive and Watters Road north of Bethany Drive. Together, these efforts help Allen save money, support the environment and make our community more beautiful.
A new addition to Allen Public Library is being met with enthusiastic participation! The seed library cabinet is stocked with herbs, flowers, produce and pollinator-friendly seeds. Visitors can take what they need and record it on the log sheet - no library card required. Seed donations are also appreciated. The seed library is located in the movies and TV section of the library's temporary location (800 E. Main Street) and will move to the permanent library this fall.
Indian Blanket Evening Primrose
Bachelor’s Button Red Corn Poppy
Wildflower Site at The Historic Barn in Allen Heritage Village
Wildflower Site on Watters Road
The Seed Library at APL
Two Paws Up: Bark Yard Debuts Vibrant New Art Installations
Allen’s Bark Yard Dog Park just got even more tail-wagging fun: the installation of 58 vibrant art pieces!
Artist Jeffie Brewer created the playful designs, which were celebrated during a public reception on May 22. Each sculpture is crafted from stainless steel and coated in durable, commercial-grade enamel.
The park features a welcoming sunshade thoughtfully placed inside a giant dog collar sculpture, complete with a tag, and silhouettes of playful dogs line the fences. It’s an Instagram-worthy spot for all your pup portraits!
Commissioned by the City of Allen and recommended by the Public Art Committee, this installation helps fulfill the mission of Allen's public art program by bringing character and creativity to everyday places.
» Learn more about the Bark Yard at LifeInAllen.org/BarkYard
Amenities at Bark Yard Dog Park include:
Drinking Fountains Field Lighting Free Parking Public Restrooms
Allen Welcomes New Municipal Court Judge on
July 2
Allen City Council has appointed a new Municipal Court Judge. Michelle M. Myers Montemayor has served as the Alternate Municipal Judge since 2017 and will assume her new role on July 2. She replaces Judge Cynthia Porter Gore (pictured left), who accepted a new role with Collin County as Director of Youth Services.
Allen Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors (criminal cases where fines may go up to $500) and City ordinance violations such as fire, safety, zoning and public health offenses. It also runs the Allen Teen Court program, which helps teen defendants and volunteers understand our justice system.
»Learn more about Allen Municipal Court at AllenTX.gov/MunicipalCourt
Allen Police Department provides support for families and caregivers through Project H.O.M.E. service
About the service: Project H.O.M.E. (Help Our Missing and Endangered Persons) helps first responders identify children or adults who are unable to communicate their names or addresses due to a cognitive impairment. With photo identification, medical information and emergency contacts easily accessible, police can return the individual to caregivers quickly and safely.
How to enroll in the service: Caregivers can enroll loved ones by submitting an information sheet form and photo to the Allen Police Department.
• Enroll Online: AllenPolice.org/ProjectHOME
• Enroll In-Person: Allen Police Headquarters at 205 West McDermott Drive
Judge Gore
Smart Watering: Make Every Drop Count This Summer
In the sizzling summer months of July and August, lawns often get more water than they need—and your landscape and wallet may suffer because of it. Overwatering can invite disease, promote shallow roots and drive up your water bill. Instead, aim for one deep watering per week or less. In North Texas, this is typically enough to maintain a healthy lawn unless conditions are unusually hot or dry. Below are some smart watering strategies and suggestions:
Timing matters From April 1 to October 31, sprinkler use is prohibited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to minimize evaporation. However, hand-held hoses, soaker hoses and drip systems are allowed at any time—as long as no runoff occurs.
Cycle, soak and water early Run sprinklers in shorter bursts with breaks in between to help water absorb into clay soils. Water between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to reduce evaporation loss.
Mulch and mow high Use mulch to retain soil moisture and raise your mower blade to reduce plant stress.
Watch the weather Skip a watering day if rain is in the forecast or your lawn springs back after being stepped on.
Check for leaks Inspect your irrigation system monthly for misaligned heads or broken zones.
Hydrozone Group plants by water needs and adjust irrigation zones accordingly.
Try native plants They require less water, fertilizer and maintenance—plus, they thrive in our tough Texas climate.
Complete our Sprinkler Math Worksheet to find out how much water you're actually using—and take the guesswork out of your watering routine.
»Visit AllenTX.gov/WaterEducation.
During DRAC Makeover, Beat the Heat at Ford Pool
Ford Pool has been the go-to spot this summer as the Don Rodenbaugh Aquatics Center (DRAC) goes through renovations. From a 20-foot waterslide and splashfriendly play structure to lap lanes and shaded cabanas, Ford Pool is built for all-day fun. Be sure to dive in before the season wraps up on September 1!
Meanwhile, hard work is happening at the DRAC, including:
Ask Allen's Experts
This month's expert: Joey Ramos, Park Superintendent for Allen Parks & Recreation
"Why do I see large grass fields at Celebration Park being watered during times when residents can't water their own yards?"
Allen's athletic fields get a lot of wear and tear from local athletes, and must be properly maintained to prevent on-field injuries.
You may occasionally see parks crews perform irrigation system checks to ensure turf stays healthy and safe for play. These inspections typically happen during the day, outside the usual 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. summer watering hours.
Each fall, the fields are over seeded with cold-season ryegrass to stay green and playable during winter. Allen's Water Conservation and Emergency Management Plan allows for this regulated use of winter grass seed and the additional watering it requires, so that fields remain safe, durable and ready for the many children and adults who enjoy them.
Ask Allen’s Experts is your inside scoop from the people who know Allen best: our City staff! We’ll tap into the knowledge of the subject matter experts to bring you timely updates, helpful tips and answers to questions that matter most to Allen residents.
Summer season at Ford Pool
Pay Your City
Utility Bill Through WaterSmart!
Watersmart is the new place for Allen utility customers to conveniently pay bills online.
This replaces the Citizen SelfService (CSS) portal and adds convenient new features.
Full Access and Guest Payment Options
Log in with your account details for full access to your WaterSmart account at AllenTX.gov/WaterSmart Or use the new one-time guest payment option without having to log in.
» Enhanced digital wallet options are available in WaterSmart: All major credit and debit cards, eCheck, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo accepted.
New Pay-By-Phone Option
Call 833-735-2393 to make a secure payment through an automated system—quick, simple and available anytime.
» Pay-by-phone payment methods: All major credit & debit cards and eCheck accepted.
All new payment methods are without fees, including the payby-phone option.
» Details about the
Upcoming Events: Find Fun Things To Do In Allen
» Get more details about the events listed below and view more upcoming events at AllenTX.gov/Events .
MONDAY, JUL. 7
Family Night Skate at The Edge (201 E. St. Mary Drive) from 7 to 9 p.m.
Grab your skates and bring the whole family to The Edge Skate Park for a night of music and memories!
»Details: LifeInAllen.org
SATURDAY, JUL. 12
SATURDAY, JUL. 26
Back to School Ice Skate
Allen Community Ice Rink (200 E. Stacy Road #1350) from 11:45 a.m to 1:45 p.m.
Lace up for the Ice Rink’s Back to School Open Skate. Receive a free skate rental with your school supply donation! Adult supervision is required for children age 8 and younger. All on-ice participants must wear skates.
» More info: LifeInAllen.org
Get introduced to the world of birds of prey! Learn about their role in the food chain, adaptations to hunt in the wild and meet a few of these stunning creatures in person.
»Details: AllenLibrary.org
SUNDAY, JUL. 20
Heritage Village Open House
Blackland Prairie Raptors Program at Allen Public Library Temporary Location (800 E. Main Street) from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Allen Heritage Village (450 St. Mary Drive) from 2 to 4 p.m.
Visit the Allen Heritage Village during the Open House on the third Sunday of each month, 2-4 p.m. Arrangements for other tours can be made by calling 972-740-8017
» More info: AllenHeritage.org
FRIDAY, AUG. 8
End of Summer Bash at Ford Pool (724 Whitman Drive) from 5 to 7 p.m.
Let’s wrap the summer up with a splash! Take the plunge and compete in the cannonball contest. Judges will be on the lookout for style, height and the biggest splash. Admission is free but registration is required.
» Details: LifeInAllen.org
MONDAY, AUG. 11
Skate into the School Year at The Edge (201 E. St. Mary Drive) from 7 to 9 p.m.
Start the school year on the right wheel! Wear your favorite pair of skates and meet out at the rink!
» Details: LifeInAllen.org
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