City of Waco Municipal Information

City Limits Newsletter - December 2008

A monthly newsletter for the Citizens of Waco, Texas
To view the previous issue, click here: November issue

Bond Update: Parks & Recreation Projects

park photo The City of Waco’s Parks and Recreation Department will kickoff the New Year with numerous renovation projects that will greatly improve the quality of life in Waco. Thanks to the 2007 bond election, Waco’s parks system will receive $11.7 million worth of improvements and upgrades.

The money has been allocated to Cameron Park, Cameron Park East, neighborhood park trails and the South Waco Recreation Center.

While construction will be an inconvenience during 2009, the end result will be better parks and facilities that meet the needs of our growing community. The following is an overview of the upcoming projects. Additional and up-to-date information can be found at www.waco-texas.com.

Cameron Park:

$6.9 million will protect, preserve and improve one of Waco’s natural treasures. The goal is to have the project complete by 2010 for Cameron Park’s Centennial Celebration.
Construction is scheduled to begin by March. The park will remain open, however many areas and attractions will be closed during construction.
Projects will include new pavilions, rest rooms and overlook plazas; restoration of historical features; expanded parking lots; improved lighting, signage and trail connections.
Areas that will see renovations are: Anniversary Park, Cameron Park Clubhouse, Circle Point, Disc Golf Course, Jacob’s Ladder, Lover’s Leap, Mouth of the Bosque, Proctor Springs, Redwood Shelter and Rock Shelter.
A new playground, funded with bond money, has already been constructed in Pecan Bottoms.

Cameron Park East:

$2.1 million will update the infrastructure, creating a more natural setting and venue for special events.
An additional $500,000 was secured from a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant. This money will fund boat ramp and access improvements at the north end of the park.
Pre-construction work was recently completed at the park. Some sections of the park remain open, but the entire park will close by March for construction.
Improvements will include new entrance and road system; new pavilions and rest rooms; new parking lots; updated lighting and signage; electricity and water upgrades; new pedestrian trails and connections.
The City Council is currently considering a name-change for the park. A new name could help brand the park and build awareness.

Neighborhood Park Trails:

$900,000 in new and improved trails systems will be added in 14 parks.
Construction and trail installation has begun in several parks.
Trail Blazer Park in west Waco near Harris Creek Road will receive a one-third mile trail.
A quarter-mile trail will be added to the following parks: Alta Vista, Buena Vista, Council Acres, Gurley, Mitchell, Viking Hills, Bell’s Hill, Chapel, Crestview, Jaycee and Pioneer.
Trail connections will be made to existing trails at Kendrick and Seley Parks.

South Waco Recreation Center:

The center will receive $1.8 million in renovations.
Construction is expected to begin in March.
Improvements will be made in the following areas: circulation, fitness and dance rooms, multi-purpose meeting space and aesthetics.
The center will expand into the space that previously housed the South Waco Library.
The center will be closed during the time of the construction. However, the center’s programming will continue at alternate locations.

Holiday Collection Schedule

The City of Waco will not offer solid waste services on Thursday, Jan. 1 and Monday, Jan. 19 in observation of New Year’s and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. For both holidays, the routes will be picked up on Wednesday. All other routes will not change.

On New Year’s Day, the landfill and Cobbs Collection Center will be closed. However, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the landfill will be open, but the Cobbs Collection Center will be closed. For more information, contact the City of Waco Solid Waste Department at 299-2612.

City Fireworks Ordinance

The City of Waco Fire Department encourages everyone to have a safe holiday season.

In connection with the New Years’ holiday, the Fire Department reminds everyone it is a violation of city ordinances to possess, use, manufacture, sell, give away, transport or discharge fireworks within the city limits of Waco without a permit from the fire marshal.

The ordinance also prohibits the possession of fireworks by a minor. The fine for violating the ordinance is $219 for possession, sale, give away or use of fireworks; and the fine for aiding a minor to use fireworks is $259.

For more information, call the City of Waco Fire Department at 750-1740.

Christmas Tree Recycling

After the presents are unwrapped, it’s time to recycle your Christmas tree.

Bring the undecorated tree to Keep Waco Beautiful’s annual “Chippin’ of the Green” at the Paul Tyson Field parking lot on Saturday, Jan. 3 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and watch the tree turn into a bag of mulch.

Those who participate may take the mulch home and use it on their lawns or gardens. They will also receive a small tree sapling.

For more information, contact Keep Waco Beautiful at 750-5728.

Do Well, Be Well With Diabetes Class

Do you or a loved one have diabetes or pre-diabetes?

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is offering a comprehensive course to cover the essentials to manage your diabetes with meal planning, monitoring your blood sugar, managing your medications, and preventing complications of diabetes.

Lessons are taught by community health educators, nurses, dietitians, exercise specialists, and a podiatrist. Classes will be held at the Waco McLennan County Public Health District from 1 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 12, 14, 21, 26, & 28, 2009.

The class is free of charge, but fills up quickly, so call Christine Smith at 750-5631 to register.

January Children’s Library Activities

Preschool Storytime for ages 3 – 6 resumes the week of Jan. 5 at 10:30 a.m. at all four library locations. Each weekly program utilizes stories, music, crafts, puppets, and other activities to explore a theme and is a good introduction to reading, books and the library. The schedule is:

Tuesdays at East Waco Library, 901 Elm
Wednesdays at Hoover Library, 1428 Wooded Acres
Thursdays at Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave.
Fridays at South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th St.

Toddler Time is a special storytime for 12 – 36 months of age, which features lots of movement, songs, stories and other pre-reading activities geared for the attention span and interests of this age group. Toddler Time is offered on Wednesdays at 9:45 and at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave.

Baby Time, a special six-week storytime for ages birth through 12 months, will be held at the Central Library, 1717 Austin, starting Feb. 3. This series features lots of parent /child interaction through language development activities, music and stories. Space is limited to 10 participants so please call 750-5956 to register.

Earned Income Tax Credit: Earn It. Claim It. Save It.

money image Some dedicated local volunteers want Waco-area workers to know that they could be eligible for a tax refund of up to $4,800, and they are even willing to help you fill out the appropriate paper work.

The Asset Building Coalition of Waco (ABC Waco) is operated by NeighborWorks Waco, a local non-profit, and represents more than 50 organizations and institutions that have agreed to help spread the word about Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC, as well as free tax preparation services in general. They promote financial awareness through supporting two free tax preparation programs in Waco; an IRS/VITA site at A.J. Moore Academy and eight sites through AARP. They also help connect taxpayers with asset-building services provided by the local non-profit community, such as financial literacy and Individual Development Accounts.

Here’s what to consider in determining whether you’ll qualify for an EITC credit:

Workers raising one qualifying child with a 2008 family income of less than $33,995 (or $36,995 married filing jointly) can get an EITC up to $2,917;
Workers raising more than one qualifying child with a 2008 family income less than $38,646 (or $41,646 for married filing jointly) can get an EITC up to $4,824;
Workers aged between 25 and 64 on Dec. 31, 2007, not raising children, with a 2008 income below $12,880 (or $15,880 for married filing jointly) can get an EITC up to $438.

Taxpayers should be aware that a variety of restrictions may apply and they should seek a tax preparer, preferably a free one, or consult IRS Publication 596 to determine eligibility.

List of Free Tax Preparation Centers

AARP Sites:
Harrison Center, 1718 North 42nd St.
Opens March 17
Tuesday & Thursday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NeighborWorks Waco, 922 Franklin Ave.
Opens Jan. 26
Monday - Thursday:
12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2710 Speight
Open Jan. 28
Wednesday - Friday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Waco McLennan County Library,
1717 Austin Ave.
Opens Feb. 3
Tuesday & Thursday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Providence Hospital, 6901 Medical Parkway
Opens Feb. 2
Monday & Wednesday: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

R. B. Hoover Branch Library, 1428 Wooded Acres Dr.
Opens Feb. 2
Monday & Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hewitt Community Center, 208 Chama
Opens Feb. 2
Monday: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites include:
A.J. Moore School Library, 500 N. University Parks
Open Jan. 22 - April 15
Closed Spring Break - March 9, 10, 12
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday:
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information about the tax preparation centers, call NeighborWorks at 752-1647.

10 Green Resolutions for the New Year

Recycle your Christmas Tree at the Chipping of the Green on Jan. 3.
Mark your calendar now to attend local Earth Day events, such as “Earth Day at the Zoo” (April 18-19)
Take gently used items to resale or thrift stores instead of just throwing them away.
Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic sacks.
Experiment with non-toxic cleaners in your home.
If you don’t already have them, sign up for a free blue recycling and/or green yard waste cart. More information is available at 299-2612.
Pledge to avoid letting anything into nearby storm drains. “Only Rain Down the Drain!”
Join the Litter Challenge! If each person picks up and throws away just one piece of litter a day (their own or someone else’s) they will have put 45 pounds of litter in its place by the end of the year.
Consider drought-resistant and native plants when planning landscaping.
Plan your trips when shopping to economize on gas and reduce emissions.

Want to know what's happening this month,
visit our our on-line Community Calendar