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University Park, Texas

University Park, Texas
City
Williams Park, located in University Park
Williams Park, located in University Park
Location of University Park in Dallas County, Texas
Location of University Park in Dallas County, Texas
University Park is located in Texas
University Park
University Park
Location in Texas
Coordinates: 32°50′58″N 96°47′31″W / 32.84944°N 96.79194°W / 32.84944; -96.79194Coordinates: 32°50′58″N 96°47′31″W / 32.84944°N 96.79194°W / 32.84944; -96.79194
Country United StatesUnited States
State TexasTexas
County Dallas
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
 • City Council Mayor Olin Burnett Lane, Jr.
Robert Begert
Taylor Armstrong
Dawn Moore
Tommy Stewart
 • City Manager Robbie Corder
Area
 • Total 3.75 sq mi (9.7 km2)
 • Land 3.71 sq mi (9.6 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation 548 ft (167 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 23,068
 • Density 6,200/sq mi (2,400/km2)
Time zone Central (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) Central (UTC-5)
ZIP code 75205 & 75225
Area code(s) 214
FIPS code 48-74492
GNIS feature ID 1377191
Website City of University Park, Texas

University Park is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States, an inner northern suburb of Dallas. The population was 23,068 at the 2010 census. The city is home to Southern Methodist University.

University Park is bordered on the north, east and west by Dallas and on the south by the town of Highland Park. University Park and Highland Park together comprise the Park Cities, an enclave of Dallas.

Addresses in University Park may use either "Dallas, Texas" or "University Park, Texas" as the city designation, although the United States Postal Service prefers the use of the "Dallas, Texas" designation for the sake of simplicity. The same is true for mail sent to Highland Park.

University Park began as a cluster of homes surrounding the fledgling Southern Methodist University, which was founded in the then-rural Dallas County in 1915. The university supplied these homes with utility service until 1924, when the growing population could no longer be supported by the school's utilities. In response, the area’s homeowners first sought annexation into the town of Highland Park, but were refused due to the high cost that would have been required to provide the necessary utility and safety services. Shortly thereafter, Dallas also refused a request for annexation on similar grounds.

Determined to confront the challenges before them, community leaders organized to incorporate as a separate individual city. According to state law, incorporation required that area residents hold an election on the issue before the new city could be officially formed and recognized. On April 24, 1924, voters approved the measure by a 5:1 margin. Operating under the commission form of government, the city began the work of shaping the new government and addressing the pressing need to establish basic municipal services. To provide for the financial needs of the city, another election was held soon thereafter to authorize the issuance of municipal bonds. Passing by a near unanimous margin, the $150,000 bond issue funded the installation of a new water supply system, street paving, and the construction of a new city hall and fire station. When first incorporated, the city encompassed 515 acres (2.08 km2), 380 homes, and 1200 residents.


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