Children’s
Eggstravaganza
Movie
Dive
HAC
Caruth Park
Saturday, March 2 & June 1
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Presented for children ages 6 to 12, this event takes place at the pond in Caruth Park. prior to the event, the Parks and Recreation Department stocks the pond with fish. A hit with kids, parents, and grandparents, “catch and release” procedures are followed Children must bring their own bait and poles. Awards are presented for the biggest and smallest fish caught.
Eggstravaganza
Children are invited to Goar Park to participate in Easter egg hunt activities under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department. Multi-colored eggs stuffed with candy are placed throughout areas that are marked off for specific age groups. Festivities include bounce houses, face painting, music and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
The egg hunt will begin promptly at 10:00 am
Goar Park
Saturday, March 23
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Various Locations
Sunday, April 7 - Saturday, April 13
On April 12, 2024 the City of University Park will celebrate 100 years of incorporation! The community will be celebrating the Centennial during the week of April 7 - 13.
Visit the website below for a calendar of events!
uptexas org/467/Calendar-of-Events
Goar Park
Friday, May 10 6:00 pm
Enjoy a movie under the stars in beautiful Goar Park Each spring, the Parks and Recreation Department hosts a movie in the Park event. The fun includes bounce houses, face painting and popcorn.
This year’s feature film will be Disney’s Elemental.
The movie and all activities, are free
The annual Paddle Battle will be held on Saturday, May 25 at the Williams Park Pickleball Courts! There will be two divisions - a social division for recreational play and a competitive division for more advanced players.
You must be a tennis pass holder to register for this event and have a partner if you would like to participate in the competitive division.
Goar Park
Thursday, July 4
9:00 am
Paddle Battle
Williams Park
Saturday, May 25 3:00 pm
A decades-long tradition, the parade, which is sponsored by the Park Cities Rotary Club, winds through the streets of Highland Park and University Park. The Park Cities Rotary Club is responsible for parade entries. As the parade winds down, there will be some post-parade activities in Goar Park including bounce houses, crafts, a petting zoo, face painting and more!
July 2024
Since 1985, people in the United States have celebrated Park and Recreation month in July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals - along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers - that maintain our country’s local, state and community parks
The month of July will be packed with programs and activities in celebration!
On select Friday evenings throughout the summer, attendees can enjoy popular Hollywood movies at the Holmes Aquatic Center pool. Admission to the screenings is complimentary for University Park and HPISD residents. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult
The pool's snack bar will be open during each show, and lifeguards will be present to ensure safety.
Holmes Aquatic Center
June, July, August 8:00 pm
Doggie Splash Day
Holmes Aquatic Center
Saturday, September 28 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Doggie Splash Day is a fun-filled event to let your four-legged friend cool off in your favorite pool! To participate, you must register your dog and provide proof of current Rabies and Bordatella vaccinations. Space is limited to the first 100 dogs, so sign up early!
This event is limited to University Park/HPISD residents.
Saturday, October 26
5:00 pm
Join us for a spooktacular evening of family fun at the Holmes Aquatic Center! We’re transforming the poolside into a Halloween haven filled with treats, games and costume awards.
Bring your little ghouls and goblins for a night of trick-otreating, candy galore and exiting activities!
To celebrate Arbor Day, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, with the assistance of elementary school children from HPISD, plant a tree in one of the schools or City’s parks. University Park is known for its tree-lined streets and beautiful parks
Since 1982, through the City’s “Trees for Town” programs, residents have purchased more than 3,300 trees for front and side parkway areas (the grassy area between he sidewalk and curb) throughout the community.
Arbor Day Celebration
Friday, November 1
Goar Park
Sunday, December 1 TIME TBD
Join us in spreading the holiday cheer!
Enjoy a festive day filled with music, live entertainment,, photos with Santa and amazing vendors!
The event will conclude with the lighting of a large tree.
Elena’s Children’s Park
Tuesday, December 3
TIME TBD
For many years, residents form across the Park Cities have gathered at Elena’s Children’s Park to remember children who are no longer with us. The gathering features short remarks, holiday carols and the lighting of a holiday tree.
Ready to transform your Saturday mornings?
Join us for Pilates in the Park and experience the joy of movement in a beautiful outdoor setting
Strengthen your body, increase your flexibility, and leave each class feeling revitalized. This class is suitable for all fitness levels, so grab your mat and let’s meet at Curtis Park for a fantastic Pilates Session.
Visit CivicRec to view specific dates and times!
Start your morning with a yoga session at the beautiful LOVE Sculpture Island in Williams Park. All experience levels are welcome!
Williams Park
Elena’s Children’s Park
Tuesday, December 3
Saturdays in July 8:00 am - 9:00 am
TIME TBD
Unwind and wrap up your week with this creative candle making workshop! Come create your custom candle at the Peek Service Center
Registration through CivicRec is required!
Visit CivicRec to view specific dates and times!
Show off your creativity at this fun soap making workshop! Join us at Buff City Soaps in Snider Plaza to create your own unique plant-based soaps
Class size is limited, so register on CivicRec to secure your spot!!
Visit CivicRec to view specific dates and times!
The parks are available for events such as birthday parties and picnics. Park reservations require a security deposit and a land use fee. For events with over 200 guests, a formal request must be submitted in writing and approved by the City Council.
Soccer and baseball fields may be reserved for general use and athletic practices. When making a reservation, a roster must be provided that lists each player’s name and address. All rosters must meet resident requirements
All park and field reservations ae required to be made at least (14) days in advance. For questions, please call the Parks and Recreation Department office at 214-987-5488
The Holmes Aquatic Center is available to residents of University Park, and those who reside within the HPISD. Pool passes can be purchased online through CivicRec www https://secure rec1 com/TX/up-tx/catalog
To enter, you must provide proof of residency such as a drivers license or current utility bill at the gate upon entrance
All rules and regulations set by the Holmes Aquatic Center must be observed at all times. The City of University Park has the right to amend or change rules set forth as needed.
Proper swim attire is required
Children who are not potty trained are required to wear a swim diaper while in the pool. Children are still required to wear appropriate swim attire over swim diaper.
Abusive or profane language will not be tolerated.
Smoking, alcoholic beverages, drugs, weapons and gambling are not permitted. Tobacco (including electronic smoking devices) are not permitted.
Chewing gum is not permitted. Glass containers are not permitted.
Water guns are not allowed in the facility. Hard balls are not allowed in the facility. Prolonged underwater swimming or breath holding is prohoibited.
Public display of affection is prohibited.
Actions deemed unsafe by the lifeguards are prohibited.
Swimmers must stay off lane line, lane ropes, safety lines and guard chairs.
Loitering is not permitted.
Only employees are permitted in the lifeguard and staff offices, concession stand, cashier’s office, filter areas, mechanical rooms, storage and anyway else deemed inappropriate by management.
Service animals are allowed in the facility. Animals are not permitted in the water.
Riders must be 42" tall to ride.
All riders must ride feet first while lying on their back with arms crossed acrosse their chest. Riders must enter the slide in a sitting position and wait for instructions from the attendant at the slide starter tube.
Riders must exit the slide flume immediately after completing their ride.
Only one rider at a time.
No running, standing, kneeling, rotating, tumbling or stopping in the flume.
No foreign objects allowed in pockets and no jewelry can be worn while riding the slide. Riders must be in good health,. Individuals with medical conditions including but not limited to; pregnancy, heart or back problems should not ride.
Rider assumes all risk of injury due to misuse of the slide or failure to follow these rules.
The wading pool is for the use of children 5 and under.
Only small toys and inflatables under 36" wide are allowed in the wading pool.
Feet first entry only.
No food or drinks allowed in the pool.
Pool furniture is not allowed in the wading pool.
If your child has an open wound, diaarhea or vomiting in the last 3 days, do not use the pool.
Only one diver on the board at a time.
Wait until the lifeguard signals for you to dive. Each person must wait until the diver ahead has reached the ladder before diving.
Diving from the end of the board only; dive straight out.
No parent/guardian is allowed in the diving area to catch children.
No double bouncing, swimming under the boards or hanging from the boards.
No swimming in the diving area.
No back dives or flips.
No lifejackets or other flotation devices may be used from the diving board.
No goggles may b worn off the diving board.
Non-service animals are prohibited.
Changing diapers within 6 feet of the water feature is prohibited.
Do not drink water from the water features. Pool furniture is not allowed on the water feature.
If your child has an open wound, diarrhea or vomiting in the last 3 days, do not use the water feature.
The safety of our guests is our first priority. If the Holmes Aquatic Center closes due to inclement weather, you may receive a wristband for re-entry on the same day.
If you paid for a daily entrance fee and have enjoyed the facility for less than 90 minutes, we are happy to issue a rain-check for another visit during the same season.
Outside food and beverages are allowed within the facility. The front cashier will conduct a cooler check prior to entering the facility. Food deliveries are allowed. Please meet your delivery at the front gate, our cashier is not allowed to accept food deliveries for our guests.
Prohibited items include: alcohol, glass (containers, plates, glasses) and knives.
Looking for a place to hold a birth party or family picnic during those hot summer months? What better place to throw a cool party than the Holmes Aquatic Center?
We have two (2) party areas to choose from, one on the big pool side near the slide and the other in the baby pool area. Both outdoor party areas include picnic-style tables, and are located under a shaded structure.
Your party rental provides two (2) hours of entertaining time for your guests. Please note that your guest count includes everyone entering the facility for your event, both children and adults, swimmers and nonswimmers.
Looking for something smaller than a large party area? We offer four (4) private cabanas!
Booking is easy! All you’ll need is a CivicRec account and a date in mind to view available two-hour time slots.
Cabanas rentals are not associated with the pool party reservation or entry fee. Members must provide a season pass, and guests will be required to pay the entry fee at the gate upon entering.
PrivateCabanas $50/2-hourtimeslot
Jump into summer with our learn-to-swim lesson program! Join Shark School for group lessons, focusing on the development and refinement of swim strokes, water safety and lake & boating safety.
Children must be three (3) years of age or older, and be completely potty trained. Lessons are held from 9:15 am - 10:00 am Monday through Thursday.
Make-up lessons will be offered on Fridays if needed due to inclement weather or pool closings only.
Costs are per session, per child. Each child will receive a Shark School t-shirt and sling bag upon completion of their session (one t-shirt/bag per child, per season).
To enroll your child into our Shark School, please visit CivicRec and complete the registration form. As sessions become full, our website will be updated with session openings and closings. .
If your child is unable to attend the full, two week session, sign up is not recommended. Our classes build upon what is taught each day, and when swimmers miss a class, they fall behind and do not receive the full benefit of the course
Our program offers five (5) different skill levels. From developing water comfort for our beginners, to stroke refinement for the more experienced swimmers, we have a level for everyone.
Parents are no longer asked to determine which level their child falls into. Instead, a maximum of 25 students will be accepted for each session. On the first day of the session, each swimmer will be evaluated, and placed in their appropriate level based on their current swim skills. 16
Take your swimming to the next level by joining the Makos Swim Team. The Makos compete against local country club and municipal swim teams in a fun, no pressure environment! To be eligible for the team, your swimmer must be 5 to 17 years old, able to swim 25 meters in both freestyle and backstroke and be a resident of UP or reside within the HPISD.
Practices will be held from 7:00 am - 7:50 am or 9:10 am - 10:00 am. Swimmers must register for one practice time slot for the entire season.
The program fee includes a team suit, cap, t-shirt, meet entries and meet and championship awards.
To enroll your child into our Makos Swim Team, please visit CivicRec and complete the registration form. Registration opens April 1, 2024 until practice sessions are full.
Gates open at 8:0 0pm and showtime is approximately 9:00 pm.
The concession stand will be open for purchases and lifeguards will be on stand during the entire movie.
The slide, diving boards, baby pool and splash pad will close at 8:00 pm.
