Hey, Neighbors! The June Newsletter should've just hit your inboxes! We’ve rounded up local happenings, seasonal tips for your home and yard, and a few ways to make the most of the vibrant days ahead.
Hey, Neighbors! Summer has officially arrived in Dallas, and with it comes sunshine, longer days, and plenty of opportunities to connect as a community. June is a month full of energy—whether you're diving into garden projects, exploring events around the city, or just trying to stay cool in the Texas heat, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
In this month’s newsletter, we’ve rounded up local happenings, seasonal tips for your home and yard, and a few ways to make the most of the vibrant days ahead. So, grab an iced tea, find some shade, and read on to see what’s blooming in Vickery Place!
Additionally, we are asking for your feedback! What kind of neighborhood updates or topics are most important to you? What would you like to see featured in our newsletters and posts? Be sure to fill out our survey below, we'd love to hear from you as we reach the halfway point of the year!
Find more information about bulk trash pickup below:
🏡 Homeowner Heat Tips
Summer in Dallas can be brutal. Here are a few ways to keep cool and reduce utility costs:
- Service Your AC: Have your HVAC system checked and replace filters monthly.
- Shade Smart: Install solar screens or use blackout curtains to block heat.
- Hydration Station: Keep bird baths or water bowls out for wildlife and pets.
- Outdoor Timing: Water lawns and gardens early in the morning (before 10 a.m.) or after sunset to minimize evaporation.
🌞 Bonus Tip: Consider planting native trees like cedar elm or redbud for natural shade over time—great for your home and environment.
More tips: Texas SmartScape | Dallas Waterwise Landscaping
June Pet of the Month - Moose
This month's VPNA Pet of the Month is Moose! This cutie will receive a generous gift basket custom curated just for them from our neighbor Dr. Benjamin Wright & his team at Lakewood Vet Center.
Meet Moose! Moose is an 8-month-old French Bulldog living his best life on Vickery Blvd. He’s a fun-loving goofball with a big personality packed into a compact, snorty package. Like any true Frenchie, Moose has mastered the art of selective hearing—especially when “come inside” interrupts his backyard squirrel surveillance. Stubborn? Absolutely. But also, irresistibly sweet (especially if you’re holding cheese).
Whether he's zooming in circles, snoring like a grown man, or giving you the side-eye when asked to do literally anything he doesn’t want to do, Moose brings joy, laughter, and a little bit of chaos everywhere he goes.
If you see Moose out in the neighborhood, be sure to say "hi" and congratulate him on winning June Pet of the Month!
Nominate a Pet to win Pet of the Month below:
Please feel free to re-submit your pet if you did not win in 2024. Unfortunately, our backlog of pets to choose from did not survive the latest update to the form service we use. Please refrain from submitting if you've already won.
More about our Sponsor - Lakewood Vet Center
A special thanks to our VP neighbor and local veterinarian for sponsoring our Pet of the Month and contributing a monthly pet care tip for our neighborhood during the first half of the year!
Dr. Ben Wright has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 25 years with 18 years of that right here at Lakewood Veterinary Center. Dr. Wright’s vision for Lakewood Vet Center was to have a close-knit, personalized neighborhood practice where he knew his clients and their pets by name. We think he has reached this goal as he lives less than a mile from his practice and runs into a client or two every time he is out and about in our neighborhood.
This month's pet safety tip from Lakewood Vet Center:
There’s nothing better than enjoying a sunny day on the lake—but don’t forget to think about your furry friend’s safety, too!
Here are a few key tips for a safe day:
- Canine Life Jackets: Even strong swimmers can tire or get caught off-guard in deep or choppy water. A fitted dog life jacket adds an extra layer of safety and peace of mind.
- Avoid Lake Water Drinking: Always pack plenty of fresh water for your pet. Lake water can contain harmful bacteria, algae, or parasites that can make pets sick.
- Rinse Off After Water Play: Giving your pet a quick rinse helps prevent skin irritation from dirt, sand, or potential algae exposure.
- Watch the Heat: Pavement and boat surfaces can get hot! Protect sensitive paw pads, and never leave your pet unattended on a hot dock or boat.
Planning a lake day? Let us know—we’re happy to help you prepare with safety tips and gear suggestions tailored to your pet’s needs.
Yard of the Month - 5547 Miller Ave
🌿 Yard of the Month – June 2025 🌿
Mel & Chris – 5547 Miller Avenue
If you’ve ever strolled down Miller and done a double-take at a yard that looks like a page out of a landscape design magazine, you’ve probably admired the home of Mel and Chris at 5547 Miller — our Yard of the Month winners for June!
Mel and Chris are some of Vickery Place’s newer residents, moving here from Canada in June 2024. But don’t let their newcomer status fool you — they’ve already made quite an impression. In fact, they’re such fans of our neighborhood that they shopped around for a while before landing here, and say it was “love at first sight” when they saw their home. (We get it — Vickery Place has that effect.)
These two are already getting involved, attending Wine Walk this year and even hosting the unofficial Wine Walk after party—a surefire way to win neighborhood bonus points! But it’s their stunning yard, redesigned and built with help from AlterraDesignLLC.com, that truly stole our hearts this month. The front yard now features sleek terracotta planter bowls, dramatic boulders from Boulder, CO (not kidding!), graceful Yaupon Holly trees, and a smartly designed layout that looks both polished and welcoming. Even better? Mel personally handled the city applications and approvals, making sure that everything from irrigation and runoff to aesthetics was thoughtfully planned.
The transformation doesn’t stop at the curb. Around back, their yard continues to impress with a lush pergola draped in trumpet vine and towering, elegant Savannah Hollie trees that frame their pool area. Speaking of trees and pools — we picked up a great tip from Mel and Chris that we hadn’t heard before:
Avoid planting female or fruit-bearing trees near your pool — they drop all the things into the water. And here’s another gem:
If you notice a strange texture or pitting on your tree trunks near your pool, it could be sun damage caused by pool reflections. Who knew?! Fortunately, Mel and Chris caught this early and wrapped their trees in burlap to protect them. (Pro tip: Don’t wait for damage — wrap preventatively!)
We love having smart, stylish, and community-minded neighbors like Mel and Chris, and we’re thrilled to spotlight their gorgeous home and yard this month. If you see them on your next walk to one of the great nearby restaurants or bars, be sure to say congrats!
And a special thank you to North Haven Gardens for sponsoring Vickery Place’s Yard of the Month. Mel and Chris will receive a generous $50 gift card from North Haven Garden to continue making their new home their very own.
Cheers to spring, sun, and spectacular yards! 🌞🌱
— Vickery Place Neighborhood Association
🌿 June Gardening Tips – Vickery Place Edition
As the summer sun intensifies across Dallas, it’s time to show your garden and home some love. Here are some helpful June planting tips for a beautiful yard this summer!
🌱 What to Plant in June
Even in the heat, your garden can thrive with the right choices:
- Vegetables: Okra, sweet potatoes, southern peas, and hot peppers love the warmth.
- Herbs: Basil, oregano, and mint continue to flourish with regular watering.
- Flowers: Choose heat-tolerant varieties like zinnias, vinca, marigolds, and periwinkle.
🌻 Tip: Mulch generously! A 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch retains soil moisture, reduces weeds, and protects roots from the scorching sun.
More info: Texas A&M AgriLife Planting Guide
🚗 Dallas Passes Major Parking Reform – What It Means for Vickery Place
On May 14, 2025, the Dallas City Council adopted sweeping changes to its off-street parking regulations—its most significant overhaul in over 50 years. The new Parking Code Amendment aims to modernize outdated rules, promote walkability, support small businesses, and reduce unnecessary parking construction.
Highlights of the Reform
- Lower Greenville (MD-1 Overlay District): Properties along Lower Greenville fall within the MD-1 Parking Management Overlay, which was designed to address parking and nightlife impacts. This overlay remains unaffected by the new reforms—its stricter parking and use restrictions are still in force unless separately amended by City Council.
- Henderson Avenue: Unlike Lower Greenville, Henderson Avenue is not covered by a parking overlay. As such, many properties along Henderson may now benefit from the reduced or eliminated parking requirements, potentially encouraging new businesses or adaptive reuse projects. This could affect future development patterns along Vickery Place’s western edge.
- Transit-Oriented & Downtown Areas: Minimum parking requirements are eliminated for properties within ½ mile of DART rail and streetcar stations, and in downtown districts.
- Office and Retail: No longer require off-street parking minimums citywide.
Industrial and Commercial: Parking minimums removed except when adjacent to single-family neighborhoods. - Residential: Single-family and duplex homes now require only 1 space per dwelling unit. Multifamily projects require just ½ space per unit, plus guest parking.
- Bars and Restaurants: Reduced to 1 space per 200 square feet of seating and sales area. Small businesses under 2,500 square feet are fully exempt.
- Historic and Religious Buildings: Historic buildings and places of worship under 20,000 sq ft are now exempt from parking minimums in most cases.
What This Means for Vickery Place
These changes can make it easier for neighborhood-serving businesses to open or expand without having to meet burdensome parking requirements. For Vickery Place—a walkable, transit-adjacent neighborhood—this reform could encourage more adaptive reuse of older buildings and better alignment with our urban character.
However, as we grow, it will be important for residents to stay informed and advocate for thoughtful development that complements the neighborhood’s scale and infrastructure.
Monthly Book Club
Interested in joining the VPNA book club? We are a once-a-month group that meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month.
We LOVE to have new members, so if you've never been, there are always new people. And you can still come even if you don't finish the book.
Book for June 12 - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
Book for July 11 - The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
If you have book suggestions to add to the list or otherwise want to get in contact, please reach out to [email protected] or visit the page below for more information
Andrea Hundley
You can opt-in to future communication by managing your email preferences at https://www.vickeryplace.com/#/portal/account/
Get involved!
2025 Event Calendar
Be sure to keep an eye on the Vickery Place Events page to keep your calendar up to date with all future VPNA Events! Please consider clicking the "+ Add to Google Calendar" to make sure you don't miss anything!
Notable Upcoming Events include:
- Monthly Book Club Meeting (second Thursday of the month)
- Neighborhood Happy Hour (TBD)
- General Meetings
Have something you want us to add? Let us know at [email protected]
💬 Stay Connected
- Website: www.vickeryplace.com
- Facebook: @VickeryPlace
- Instagram: @vickeryplaceneighborhood
VPNA Board
🌞 June 2025 in Vickery Place: Your Guide to Summer Fun in Dallas!
As summer kicks off, Dallas is brimming with exciting events and activities. Here's a curated list to help you make the most of June:
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Dallas Pride: Celebrate love and inclusivity at your favorite Dallas venues.
- June 14th & 15th: Family Pride Zone, Teen Pride, and the Dallas Pride Music Festival at Fair Park. This two-day event is a cornerstone of the city's LGBTQ+ celebrations, featuring a variety of musical and dance acts across three entertainment stages and over 200 vendors showcasing unique products and services.
- June 15th: Pride parade - Don't miss the colorful parade on Sunday, June 15, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
- June 20th: Dallas Arts District Pride Block Party. Free, inclusive event in the heart of the Dallas Arts District from 6 p.m. to midnight that includes pride-themed tours, performances, films, artists, gourmet food trucks, makers, drag shows, informational tables and more!
- June 21st: Pride in Bloom at the Dallas Arboretum. Experience the beauty of the garden while enjoying live performances, artisan vendors, and activities that showcase the diversity of our community.
- Juneteenth Unity Weekend: Honor freedom and culture with events across the city.
- June 14: Juneteenth 4K Freedom Walk and Festival. Live entertainment, vendors, and fun activities for the entire family at the MLK Jr Community Center!
- June 14: Fair Park Juneteenth Festival of Service 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
🎶 Music & Entertainment
- Concerts Galore: From indie to pop, Dallas's music scene is vibrant this June.
- Get out and see your favorite artists this summer! From Shakira to Luke Bryan, there's something for everyone.
- The Dallas Symphony Orchestra's 2025 Parks Concert Series will feature five free, family-friendly concerts in various Dallas parks between May 26 and June 12. These concerts are open to the public and will showcase the DSO's diverse musical repertoire. Click here to view dates and locations!
- Safari Nights Summer Series: Head to the zoo for their summer concert series! Enjoy free music and special evening zookeeper chats every Saturday night from May 3rd - June 14th!
- Lakewood Tower Movie Nights: family films are scheduled around sunset on the first three Wednesdays in June. Free family movie nights to take place in June at Lakewood Tower - Lakewood/East Dallas
🍽️ Food & Drink
- New Restaurant Openings: Explore the latest culinary spots in DFW.
🎭 Arts & Culture
- Musical Theater: Enjoy Broadway hits without leaving town.
Summer Shows: "The Lion King," and "Xanadu."
- Klyde Warren Park Events: From silent discos to live performances, there's something for everyone.
- Calendar: Klyde Warren Park
🏀 Sports Highlight
- WNBA Showdown: Catch the anticipated matchup between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark as the Dallas Wings take on the Indiana Fever.
- June 27: American Airlines Center, 6:30 p.m.
For more events and details, visit:
Stay cool and enjoy the vibrant offerings of our city this June!
How to Properly Dispose of Household Hazardous Chemicals
Did you know that common household items like batteries, paint, electronics, and lawn chemicals can harm the environment and pose safety risks if not disposed of correctly?
The City of Dallas Sanitation Department offers easy and safe disposal options for these household hazardous chemicals (HHC):
✅ Home Chemical Collection Center at 11234 Plano Road – Drop off a wide range of hazardous materials year-round.
✅ Mobile Collection Events (BOPA) – Convenient for common items like batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze.
📍 Learn more about accepted items and event dates at dsan.us/HHC or scan the QR code in the image below.
Let’s work together for a safer, cleaner Dallas!
City of Dallas Water Conservation Ordinance
As Dallas residents, we all play a part in preserving our water resources. The city's Water Conservation Ordinance is designed to reduce unnecessary outdoor water use—especially during the hot summer months when demand peaks and infrastructure is most stressed.
Key Outdoor Watering Guidelines:
- Twice-Weekly Limit: Watering is restricted to two days per week, based on your street address.
- Time-of-Day Restrictions: No watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 to October 31.
- Hand Watering & Soaker Hoses: Permitted any day, at any time.
- Sprinkler System Maintenance: Ensure sprinkler heads are functioning properly and not spraying streets or sidewalks.
- Rain & Freeze Sensors: Required on all automatic sprinkler systems.
- No Watering During Rain: Irrigating during precipitation is prohibited.
- Prevent Runoff: Avoid water runoff onto streets or drainage areas.
Violations can result in fines ranging from $250 to $2,000 per incident, though first offenses typically receive a warning.
By following these guidelines, we help conserve water, reduce strain on our infrastructure, and delay the need for costly expansions.
For more details and resources, visit SaveDallasWater.com.
Community Corner
Did you know our municipal animal shelter, Dallas Animal Services, is consistently over capacity? This unfortunately means perfectly adoptable animals are euthanized almost daily. If you love animals and want to help those in need please consider fostering for a wonderful local rescue, Dallas Pets Alive! (DPA). Founded in 2012, we are a foster-based rescue organization run primarily by volunteers. We have built our reputation as a leading animal welfare organization in the North Texas rescue community. The number of animals we can save depends entirely on the number of people who open their homes and hearts to foster them. Foster families provide shelter, food, care, and love for pets until they are adopted. Need supplies, help with grooming, dog training, or transportation? We’ve got you covered! Not able to foster? Volunteer with us! Volunteers can work with animals at partner shelters or DPA's Adoption Container, or support the program by coordinating data, assisting foster families, maintaining medical records, marketing, and more. Visit our website at www.dallaspetsalive.org to get started!
(Submitted by VP Neighbor - Monica Scicolone)
From Lower Greenville NA:
If you’ve been out and about lately, you’ve probably noticed that our Greenville Avenue “pony” walls are BLOOMING this Spring!
Initial funding of $8,000 provided by Andres Properties, Madison Properties and LGNA has made Phase I of the project (the first 12 walls) possible. But we need support from more businesses and local residents to raise the remaining $18,000 and bring the final 20 walls to life. We’re delighted to announce that at our annual meeting this past Tuesday, we received a very generous donation of $2,000 from Belmont Addition Conservation District! Thank you! If you’d like to support this beautification project in your neighborhood, please consider a specific tax-deductible contribution to LGNA by contributing to our Go Fund Me at https://gofund.me/b9d8b7fc, our LGNA Venmo Account (@LGNA_) by marking your purchase “LGNA Murals,” or by reaching out to [email protected] if you’d like to drop off a check or cash.
Kroger Community Rewards
When you grocery shop at Kroger, don’t forget there is an easy way to also support Vickery Place Neighborhood Association. VPNA is a registered charity with the Kroger Community Rewards Program. With nearly 1200 homes in Vickery Place, we can fund events like this month's donations to local Pantries with no effort every time you get groceries! If you shop at Kroger, please take the time to sign up below, and a portion of your purchases will go to supporting local schools, charity drives, and neighborhood events. A few simple steps will help raise funds to support more neighborhood activities. https://www.kroger.com/account/communityrewards/
To Connect With Kroger Community Rewards:
• Sign into your Kroger Rewards digital account (or easily set one up if you do not already have an account).
• Select “My Account”.
• Scroll down to the ‘Community Rewards’ section of your account page.
• Select ‘Enroll Now’ or ‘Edit’.
• Enter the name of the organization you wish to support.
• Select ‘Vickery Place Neighborhood Association’ and click on ‘Save’.
Any transactions moving forward using the card number associated with your Kroger digital account will be applied to the Community Rewards program. It takes about 10 days for the Community Rewards totals to begin displaying on your receipt. Vickery Place NA gets quarterly rewards payments—last quarter we received $44.22. The more neighbors who shop with Kroger and connect their digital account with Vickery Place, the more funds our organization will earn! Thank You!
District 14 News - From the Desk of Paul Ridley
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