Grand Prairie Police Dispatch on MySpace

The Grand Prairie Police Department has launched a MySpace page for Police Dispatch to help spread the word about exciting career opportunities:

http://www.myspace.com/gptx911

Features:

Photos, quotes, dispatcher Q&A, job info, how to apply and more...

Grand Prairie Events Calendar - Stay Up to Date!

Latest News Release: Events through May 26

Browse by Month: www.gptx.org/events

Receive updates to Calendar of Events by e-mail

GPFD Adds Foam to Fire Fighting Arsenal

New compressed air foam systems (CAFS) are being added to the Fire Department's fire fighting arsenal. The department recently added two more units, bringing its total to six, with one more in progress. Compressed air foam covers and penetrates surfaces far more effectively than water, is lighter and easier to use and protects property from the damage water can cause. Unlike water, compressed air foam applied to ceilings and walls remains in place and continues to absorb heat from fire gases until all water within it has been vaporized. This slows fire growth and fire burn back. The city plans to retrofit two units a year until the entire fire fleet is equipped with CAFS.

Unofficial Election Results

On May 10, registered voters in Grand Prairie's District 1 cast ballots for the District 1 Council Member position (three-year term). The following unofficial election results will not be official until after the canvass on May 20:

Mark Hepworth -679  Harry Englert - 248  [more info]

AirHogs Home Opener this Friday, May 16

The grand opening of QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie will take place on Friday, May 16, when the AirHogs face the Wichita Wingnuts at 7:05 p.m.

QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie promises to be one of the finest facilities in professional baseball, featuring permanent seating for 5,445 fans, a 6,000 square-foot sports bar and restaurant beyond the left-field fence, a cigar bar, a swimming pool overlooking the right-field wall, and a 17,000 square-foot Wide World of Parks Kids Zone, which includes a rock-climbing wall, a miniature golf course and a wiffle-ball field, among other attractions.

In addition to the AirHogs' 48 home games during the regular season, numerous other concerts, festivals and community activities will be held at the stadium throughout the year.

The club plays in the American Association, one of North America's preeminent independent leagues. Over 1.3 million fans attended American Association games last season.

airhogsbaseball.com

Pools Open for the Summer May 24 with Cannonball Kickoff

The City of Grand Prairie will open all outdoor swimming pools for the summer starting Memorial Day weekend, May 24, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., all the way through the last summer holiday weekend, Aug. 30.

Participate in a simultaneous cannonball entry into the pools. Just be at any of the city's pools at 1 p.m. to participate and help the city set a record opening day. Cost is $1 per person... [more]

Memorial Day in Grand Prairie May 26

Honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom Monday, May 26, at the Grand Prairie Veteran’s Memorial (behind the Senior Citizen Center, 925 Conover Drive).

The program will begin at 10 a.m. and will include a bagpipe processional, 21 gun salute, color guards, a vintage aircraft flyover and memorial begonias. A screening of videos of previous Veterans Day and Memorial Day services, a display of photos of the veterans inscribed on the Memorial columns and a free All-American lunch will take place at the Senior Center after the program.... [more]

Apply for City Boards and Commissions

Your experience and expertise are needed on boards and commissions that deal with everything from the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport to city parks facilities, housing and senior citizen concerns. If you would like to volunteer, please apply by June 13... [more]

Summer 2008 Life is Grand Magazine

Farmers Market Opens May 22 at City Hall Plaza

The North Central Texas Farmers Market Corporation opens May 22 at a new location. The market will be at the City Hall Liberty Bell, Adair and NW 4th St., in 2008.

Fresh fruits and vegetables will be for sale on Thursdays and Saturdays (starting May 22), from 8 a.m. until sell out, which is usually around 1 p.m.

Last year, Farmers Market was a block away in the Army/Navy store parking lot. Market vendors accept Tarrant County WIC vouchers.

View flier.

Susie Hedrick, Fleet Support Specialist for Equipment Services, has been named Employee of the Month. Hedrick's coworkers say she is consistently helpful with problems that arise concerning vehicles or fueling, always returns phone calls and seeks answers to questions when she doesn't know the answer.

"Susie is always complimentary about citizens and coworkers and she is extremely enthusiastic about the accomplishments of all employees," said Jan Hill, Airport Operations Coordinator. "She serves on the Employee Recognition Committee and has contributed to the success of several employee banquets. Susie is the epitome of exemplary customer service at all times."

Grand Prairie PD vs. Arlington PD Baseball Game May 24

Join the Grand Prairie and Arlington police departments in a "Play Ball Benefit" at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24 at Grand Prairie High School baseball field at Turner Park, Belt Line and Tarrant roads.

All proceeds go to help offset medical expenses for the family of a Grand Prairie Police Officer whose 20-month-old son was hit by a car in April and remains in the hospital with critical injuries.

$3 admission.

Contact Det. Rick Oseguera, 972-237-8734, for more information.

Weekly Show - GP UPDATE

For the latest in Grand Prairie news, watch GP Update, the city's weekly news show, anytime on www.gptx.org/gptv or at midnight, 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily on Cable Channel 16.

Watch most recent show: April 27, 2008

Sign up here to receive an e-mail notification every time a new GP Update has been posted to the Web (the link to view the show will be sent straight to your inbox!).

Grand Prairie Motorcycle Officer Sweeps Competition

Congratulations to Grand Prairie Police Ofc. Bo Stegall who dominated the Space City Police Motorcycle Challenge in Houston on April 12, bringing home four first place trophies:

• 1st Place – Harley Road King class
• 1st Place – Fastest Clean Run
• 1st Place – Slow Race
• Top Gun Award for the top rider in the competition

2009 Calendar Photo Contest Underway

The annual Calendar Photo Contest is underway with a special theme for 2009: Historic Grand Prairie. The incorporated city of Grand Prairie will be 100 years old in 2009, and the city's annual photo calendar will celebrate, featuring photos with historic significance, such as:

• old photos of people, places and events from early and mid-century Grand Prairie
• new photos of historic places in Grand Prairie

[more]

Top 10 Reasons Grand Prairie had a Marquee Year in 2007

... and a look ahead to the projects underway and planned for 2008.

State of the City 2007-2008

Lynn Creek Park on Lake Joe Pool Offers Free Entry to Grand Prairie Residents

Grand Prairie residents can now enter popular Lynn Creek Park, 5700 Lake Ridge Parkway, on Lake Joe Pool free with a current driver's license with a Grand Prairie, Texas address.  This offer is good for one vehicle, up to six people in the vehicle.  Customers towing a boat and non-residents will still pay the $10 entrance fee.  Offer is not valid on special event days, July 4, and during Prairie Lights.... [read more]

Lake Parks Re-Open

Grand Prairie's Lynn Creek Park, 5700 Lake Ridge Parkway, and Britton Park, on Seeton Road on the southwest shore of Joe Pool Lake, are now open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily through October.

Visit www.lakeparks.net or call 817-467-2104 for information.

Free Monthly Tours at Historic Copeland Home

See how Grand Prairians lived in the 1900s with a free tour of the beautifully restored historic Copeland Home, 125 SW Dallas St., every first Saturday of the month from noon-4 p.m.

Next tour is Saturday, June 7!

Neiman Marcus Last Call Store to Anchor Grand Prairie Outlet Mall

One of Neiman Marcus' Last Call stores will anchor the Prime Outlets in Grand Prairie shopping center.

The 50,000-square-foot outlet center developed by Prime Retail will be constructed near the intersection of Interstate 20 and State Highway 360 and will open next year.

The Grand Prairie City Council approved an agreement and contract with Prime Retail in October 2007.

Ambulance Subscription Program Provides Affordable Emergency Care

To help residents fully prepare for medical emergencies, the City of Grand Prairie provides an optional

ambulance subscription program made available to all residents of Grand Prairie apart from Medicaid recipients. Participants, by submitting an annual $60 fee, will have no out-of-pocket expenses for City of Grand Prairie's EMS emergency ground ambulance use; they will receive unlimited emergency (only) transports and coverage for all household members.

The membership covers the portion of expenses not reimbursed by the member's medical coverage for services rendered by Grand Prairie Emergency Medical Services. The annual fee covers the applicant, applicant’s spouse, unmarried dependent children under 25 years of age living at home and any other dependent of the applicant or spouse who lives at the applicant's address.

Click here for an application. For more information, call 972-237-8300.

Check Out What's New at the Library!

Click here for detailed maps to each Grand Prairie library location.