Irving City Spectrum, November 2024

Free Trees Available in Honor of Texas Arbor Day

In celebration of Texas Arbor Day, Irving Parks and Recreation is giving away free trees on Nov. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. at local recreation centers, while supplies last. The 3-to 5-gallon trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit one per family; must be an Irving resident.

Participating Recreation Centers

● Cimarron Park Recreation Center, 201 Red River Trail

● Georgia Farrow Recreation Center, 530 W. Davis Drive

● Northwest Park Recreation Center, 2800 Cheyenne St.

For more information, call (972) 721-2501. 

Parks and Recreation Fall Activities

Nov. 25-27 | Thanksgiving Break Camp

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Grades K-5 | $60 per child

Register today for a Thanksgiving Break Camp at an Irving recreation center. Elementary students will games and crafts, and make new friends. Bring a sack lunch; afternoon snack is provided. Register in person by Nov. 20 at a neighborhood recreation center.

Cimarron Park Recreation Center

201 Red River Trail, (972) 910-0702

● Nov. 8 | Cake & Canvas

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | 18 and older | $20 per person

Socializing and artistry with dessert; create a work of art to take home. Registration is required.

● Nov. 23 | Young Men’s Leadership Conference Noon to 3 p.m. | Ages 11-17 | Free Fun empowerment games and life lessons. Registration is required.

Georgia Farrow Recreation Center

530 W. Davis Drive, (972) 721-2519

● Nov. 5 -28 | Preschool Soccer Training

9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Ages 4-6 | $5 Learn basic soccer skills.

● Nov. 22 | Annual Turkey Basket Giveaway

Noon to 3 p.m. | All ages | IPAR Card

Lively Pointe Youth Center

909 N. O’Connor Road, (972) 721-8090

Tues, Wed, Thurs | Podcast Engineering Club

6 to 8 p.m. | Ages 13-18 | IPAR Card

Fundamentals of podcast production.

Nov. 21 | Teen Turkey Shootout

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Ages 12-17 | IPAR Card

Basketball, food and games.

Dec. 6 | Winter Wonderland Dance

6 to 9 p.m. | 15 and older | Free Dance for Therapeutic Recreation individuals with special needs and their chaperone.

S&F Athlete and Head to Toe Fitness are offering a family meal to bake together. Register by Nov. 16.

Heritage Senior Center

200 S. Jefferson St., (972) 721-2496

● Nov. 12 | Grieving Well Workshop

9 to 11 a.m. | Craft Room | IPAR Card

Workshop designed to help individuals navigate the grieving process.

● Nov. 14 | Irving Symphonic Band Fall Concert

7 to 8 p.m. | Ballroom | IPAR Card

Live seasonal favorites and classical pieces.

● Nov. 21 | YMCA Nutrition Seminar

9 to 10 a.m. | IPAR Card

Topic: Reducing Sodium Intake

Lee Park Recreation Center

3000 Pamela Drive, (972) 721-2508

● Nov. 8, 15 and 22 | Parents' Night Out

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Ages 6-11 | $10 per child

Children will enjoy games, crafts and a meal. Register by Thursday prior at 6 p.m.

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Mustang Park Recreation Center

2223 Kinwest Parkway, (972) 556-1334

Fridays | Adult Indoor Kickball

5 to 6:30 p.m. | Ages 18 and older | $5 per person

Nov. 13 | Family Fun Day (Pumpkin DIY )

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | All Ages | $5 per family

Nov. 23 | Charlie Brown Family Thanksgiving Movie

10 a.m. to noon | All Ages | IPAR Card

Charlie Brown-themed family activities and movie.

Northwest Park Recreation Center

2800 Cheyenne St., (972) 721-2529

Nov. 8 | Pottery Gifting and Giving

5:30 to 8 p.m. | All Ages | $5+ per piece

Paint pottery; staff will glaze and fire it. Adults must accompany ages 8 and under. Registration required.

Senter Park Recreation Center

901 S. Senter Road, (972) 721-2641

Nov. 15 | Preschool Friendsgiving

10 to 11:30 a.m. | Ages 3-5 | IPAR Card

Irving Public Library's NEA Big Read 2024

The NEA Big Read Irving, featuring “The Bear” by Andrew Krivak as this year’s community-selected title, offers public events and book discussions centered on the theme "Where We Live." Funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the event lineup includes an art exhibit, book discussions, a stargazing hike and workshops on storytelling, genealogy, outdoor skills and more.

The series concludes with a keynote address by the author at 1 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. For more details, visit the library’s calendar at CityofIrving.org/Library and social media on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @IrvingLibrary

Irving’s partners for the program include the Fort Worth Astronomical Society, Friends of the Irving Public Library, Irving Community Television Network, Irving Archives and Museum, Irving Arts Center, Irving Independent School District, Irving Parks and Recreation, Irving Police Athletic League, Keep Irving Beautiful, Texas Bluebonnets Arts and Crafts and the Writer’s Garret.

PROGRAMS

The library is always open at CityofIrving.org/Library. For a full list of online services and a schedule of programs for all ages, see the online calendar.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For more information, visit CityofIrving.org/BigRead and audio books, music, video and other treasures for a variety of ages and interests. Proceeds benefit the Irving Public Library. Visit FriendsofIrvingLibrary.com for more information.

Nov. 9 | Friends of the Irving Public Library Holiday Book Sale

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 3000 Rock Island Road

Get an early start on the gift-giving spirit by visiting this annual sale. Select from a vast offering of print

Nov. 23 | Fall Fest

2:30 p.m. | West Irving Library | All ages

Celebrate that fall is in the air at this annual festival, filled with games and a host of seasonal activities.

Senior EZ Water Aerobics

7:30 to 8:15 a.m. | Ages 18+ | $2 | HAC

● Mondays-Thursdays | Night Steppers Water Aerobics

6:30 to 7:15 p.m. | Ages 18+ | $2 | HAC

Visit CityofIrving.org/Aquatics to register for classes and additional information.

IRVING PUBLIC LIBRARY'S FALL ACTIVITIES

National Novel Writing Month

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) motivates aspiring writers to write every day in November, resulting in a 50,000-word book draft by the end of the 30 days. Check the calendar at CityofIrving.org/Library for a series of write-ins hosted by the West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road. Visit NaNoWriMo.org for more information.

DIY Opportunities for Teens

In November, young adults are welcome to stop at any library location’s Teen Zone to explore monthly freebies and pick up a 3D-printed rocket kit card, while supplies last. Visit CityofIrving.org/ Library for more information.

A Creative Exchange

The upcoming Community Art Swap provides a free opportunity for creators to draw inspiration through trading art supplies. Throughout the month of November, the public is encouraged to donate materials at the South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Drive. The one-day Community Art Swap event takes place Saturday, Dec. 7 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and creative enthusiasts are invited to explore the donated supplies and take items home for their own artistic projects.

Irving Boulevard Showcases New Look

The new design of the one-mile section of road running through the city’s historic Heritage Crossing District improves accessibility and brings a consistent look and feel to the area.

After years of planning meetings and construction, Irving Boulevard is fully open. The project, which began in 2020, improves the experience of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians visiting the city’s historic Heritage Crossing shopping, dining and entertainment destination in downtown Irving.

Fresh pavement striping along Irving Boulevard provides the two lanes of traffic with a new, clean aesthetic. While there is not a designated bike path, traffic lanes are now wide enough for vehicle and bicycle traffic. Additionally, all sidewalks have been installed and connected, along with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant rails, providing more access to the area.

The new design of Irving Boulevard drew inspiration from landscaping and architecture at neighboring Heritage District parks. Decorative wall capstones, stonework structures and roadway brickwork resembling features in place at nearby Veterans Memorial, Millennium and Centennial parks are now in place along Irving Boulevard. The circular features and consistent color scheme now visible throughout the Heritage District bring an updated look to the area without losing its distinct, traditional charm.

Roadway access, including access to area businesses, is unobstructed. Stop by the Heritage District to check out the new and improved Irving Boulevard, and stay to shop the local downtown businesses. For more information on the project, visit CityofIrving.org/IrvingBlvd

For more information on the city’s ongoing infrastructure initiative visit CityofIrving.org/ IrvingInvests 

City-Owned

This winter, the City of Irving will begin construction on a citywide fiber-optic network expansion project. The new network will build on the city’s existing 38 miles of fiber to connect all city facilities. Installation of cityowned fiber is projected to save about $355,000 annually — funds that would otherwise go toward third-party internet service providers.

Fiber-optic cables deliver the fastest internet speeds and support the highest capacity of data transport. Expanding the city’s fiber infrastructure will increase efficiency of operations across all city service areas, with the most notable impacts on public safety and transportation services. In addition to accelerated internet speeds, the project will improve the reliability of critical infrastructure, including public safety and public notification networks, and reduce the risk of outages.

The new fiber network will support city initiatives, such as intelligent traffic systems, advanced utility management, public safety enhancements and environmental monitoring systems. Enhanced video security capabilities and expanded coverage areas are expected, which will contribute to advancements in overall safety throughout the city. These improvements will boost the city’s responsiveness to community needs.

Estimated to cost $11.69 million in total, the fiber expansion project is primarily funded by the 2021 bond election, which awarded the city $10.7 million for developing, constructing, equipping and improving the city’s fiber-optic network and information technology infrastructure.

The main fiber backbone will be installed in phases across the city with the goal of completing major segments by mid-2025. The project is expected to be fully operational in 2026. 