University Park trustees unveil draft summer events calendar, ask residents for input

Trustee Donna Fulture presented a draft summer events schedule to the Village of University Park Board on May 14, outlining activities intended for June–August including a sip-and-paint for children, senior craft and exercise sessions, open gym nights (pending school gym availability), family bowling, bingo, ice cream socials, family skate nights, a resident-appreciation day with food trucks, a first-responders tour of the police and fire stations, a mobile museum exhibit, a white party at the golf course and a college-care-package giveaway for students heading to college.

The proposal, which Fulture said was compiled with input from other trustees and local organizations, lists tentative locations and indicates that some trips (museum and casino) will require transportation and registration. Fulture said she has sought sponsorship commitments to keep most events free and supplied trustees with a packet that includes projected costs for each activity. "These are things that we could definitely present and have for our residents here in University Park," she said, asking trustees and residents for feedback and volunteers.

Trustee Brooks and other trustees described supplementary programs they have discussed, including mentorship and leadership workshops, financial-literacy sessions (how to open a bank account and build credit), STEM activities through an outside partner and a health-and-wellness fair. A trustee who has coordinated senior programming offered to connect the board with contacts who can provide senior-exercise and outing options.

Mayor urged immediate outreach to maximize participation, recommending mailers, marquee postings and social-media announcements so residents know event dates in time. "We need to make sure that there's a lot of participation," the mayor said, urging the board to use the upcoming village newsletter for confirmed events to avoid extra spending on separate mailings.

Trustees emphasized logistical steps before finalizing dates: confirming facility availability (town center, golf course and cooperating school gyms), clarifying which trips require transportation and insurance, deciding whether background checks are required for volunteers, and producing advertising and registration materials. Fulture said the first confirmed village event on the calendar is a sip-and-paint for ages 5–12 at the town center on June 9; other dates remain tentative.

Next steps: trustees asked staff to confirm facility availability, supply final cost estimates and coordinate volunteers and sponsors. If confirmed, trustees said they will publish a calendar in the village newsletter and distribute flyers and mailers so residents have time to register and plan.

The board did not take a formal vote on the schedule at the meeting; trustees framed the item as a proposal to be finalized after logistical and funding details are confirmed.