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City facility closures July 4
City of Georgetown offices will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. There will be normal solid waste and recycling collection on July 4.
The annual Sertoma Club Family July 4 Celebration starts at 11 a.m. July 4 in San Gabriel Park. Fireworks will start about 9:30 p.m. More details here.
City offices closed July 4
City offices and facilities closed July 4 for Independence Day include the following:
- Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
- Animal Shelter, 110 Walden Drive
- Art Center, 816 S. Main St.
- City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
- Council and Courts Building (including Municipal Court), 510 W. Ninth St.
- Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
- Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.
- Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
- Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
- Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.
- Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records, and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood Road
- Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
- Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive
- Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.
Facilities open July 4
- Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pools schedule for July 4
Friday through Monday, July 1-4, the outdoor pools at Village and Williams Drive will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. each day.
The outdoor pool at the Recreation Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 1 and 2. The outdoor Recreation Center pool will be closed Sunday and Monday, July 3 and 4.
The River Ridge pool will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday. It will be closed Monday, July 4.
The outdoor splash pads at Garey Park, San Jose Park, Rabbit Hill Park, and downtown at Ninth and Main streets will be operating July 1-4.
GoGeo paratransit bus service
There will be no service Monday, July 4.
Regular solid waste and recycling collection
There will be regular solid waste and recycling collection for City of Georgetown customers Monday, July 4. For questions about trash or recycling collection, call Texas Disposal Systems at 512-930-1715.
The Collection Station at 250 W.L. Walden Drive will be open normal hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Monday, July 1 and 4.
Sertoma July 4 celebration
The annual Independence Day celebration sponsored by the Georgetown Sertoma Club in San Gabriel Park is Monday, July 4. Come visit craft vendors, the car show, a children’s area, and food vendors. Admission is free.
A children’s parade with decorated bikes and wagons starts at 11 a.m. by the low-water crossing. Line-up starts at 10:30 a.m. Live entertainment at the amphitheater begins at noon and concludes with T. Cole & the Austin Party Band taking the stage at 7 p.m. The fireworks show begins about 9:30 p.m.
Personal fireworks prohibited
By City of Georgetown ordinance, fireworks are not allowed in the city limits of Georgetown or within 5,000 feet of the city limits, unless they are used in a permitted display authorized by the Georgetown Fire Department. This area outside city limits includes, but is not limited to, the neighborhoods of Cedar Hollow, Crystal Knoll, Escalera, Fountainwood, Indian Creek, Logan Ranch Road, Lost Rivers, Oak Crest, Olde Oak Estates, Serenada, Shady Oaks, Turtle Bend, and Woodland Park, and areas along D.B Wood Road.
Violations can lead to fines of up to $2,000 per firework. To view a map showing the 5,000-foot boundary, go to maps.georgetown.org/fireworks-ban-area-map.
Additionally, please make sure your dog is secure inside your home, particularly during the evenings of the holiday weekend. Georgetown animal control officers pick up several loose dogs around the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays, many of whom are never reunited with their owners.
Fireworks can be triggering for veterans and pets
Please remember that loud noises like fireworks can be triggering for our veterans.
Fireworks also can be upsetting for pets. Please do not bring dogs to the fireworks show July 4 in San Gabriel Park and make sure your dog(s) is secure inside your home, particularly during the evenings of the holiday weekend. Georgetown animal control officers pick up several loose dogs around the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays, many of whom are never reunited with their owners.
If your dog has a tendency to become anxious at loud noises, please consider staying home with the animal; playing music in the house to drown out the noise of fireworks; and/or buying a product that “hugs” the dog. Your veterinarian also may be able to provide a tranquilizer for the dog.
For more ideas on keeping your dog safe this holiday, please see the article, “10 Fourth of July Pet Safety Tips.”
Georgetown Veterans Job Fair and Business Expo on July 21
The City of Georgetown, along with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, and the Texas Veterans Commission, is hosting the Veterans Job Fair and Business Expo from 3 to 6 p.m. July 21 in the Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St.
Businesses from Georgetown and the surrounding area will be onsite accepting applications and resumes. The first hour is open to veterans and their families. The last two hours of the event will be free and open to the public to attend.
For more information, email ecodev@georgetown.org.
Heritage Community Garden grand opening celebration June 16
The Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate the opening of the Heritage Community Garden, 2100 Hutto Road, with a garden party at 9 a.m. June 16.
The event will feature the unveiling of a new mural by local artists Josh Eller and Emma Gottschalk on the garden’s cistern, as well as booths from local nature-related organizations. Light refreshments will also be provided.
The renovated community garden features 25 in-ground garden beds, 48 raised beds, and eight ADA-accessible beds, which are open for gardeners to begin planting flowers, vegetables, and fruit. Garden beds are available by reservation only, which may be renewed annually.
The garden will be open daily for gardeners from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The garden area is secured with a chain-link fence.
Other renovations to the community garden include a new restroom facility, concrete sidewalks, a lighted parking lot, and a dumpster with a designated area for green waste that will be recycled offsite.
The City has also partnered with the Williamson County Beekeepers Association, and hives will be constructed onsite in a separate area.
To find more information about the garden visit parks.georgetown.org/heritage-community-garden.
July 4 Celebration at San Gabriel Park
The 39th annual Sertoma Club Family July 4 Celebration and fireworks display will be held at San Gabriel Park Monday, July 4. The event is sponsored by the Georgetown Sertoma Club with assistance from the City of Georgetown.
Activities begin at 11 a.m. at San Gabriel Park and will include live entertainment from noon to 10:30 p.m., featuring T. Cole and the Austin Party Band before and after the fireworks show. The festival also includes arts and crafts vendors, food vendors including a beer and wine vendor, a petting zoo, classic and antique cars, games, and rides for children and adults. Admission to the event is free; however, there are fees for some activities. Please do not bring dogs to the fireworks show.
“After a two-year hiatus, we are excited to partner with the City to bring our family celebration back to San Gabriel Park,” said Glenn Schwab, Georgetown Sertoma’s Fourth of July chair. “The club is committed to making this one of our best celebrations. This is another one of those Georgetown events you don’t want to miss. From the hometown parade to the fireworks, there is something for everyone!”
Hometown parade
The July 4th Hometown Parade in San Gabriel Park begins at 11 a.m. at the low-water crossing near the College Street bridge and ends at the large pavilion. Participants should gather at 10:30 a.m. at the low-water crossing. Kids are encouraged to decorate their wagons or bicycles for the parade. Motorized vehicles and pets are not permitted in the parade. The annual parade is sponsored by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and will feature Miss Georgetown.
The fireworks display begins at about 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from the McMaster Athletic Fields on North College Street. Fireworks can be viewed from San Gabriel Park, VFW Park, and other areas in Georgetown. The best entrance to San Gabriel Park for the event is via Morrow Street on North Austin Avenue.
Parking
There is limited parking in San Gabriel Park. Attendees also are encouraged to park at Georgetown High School and carpool to San Gabriel Park. Limited handicapped parking is available in the designated area on the south side of San Gabriel Park.
Both the McMaster Fields parking lot and the Parks and Recreation Administration parking lot at North College Street and W.L. Walden Drive will be closed on July 4 due to their proximity to the fireworks fall zone.
College Street and McMaster Fields closure
Due to the fireworks fall zone, North College Street will be closed from about 9 to 11 p.m. Monday, July 4, between the traffic circle and Holly Street. Parking, standing, or sitting along that segment of North College Street will not be permitted during this time.
The McMaster Athletic Fields will be closed all day Monday, July 4.
Personal fireworks prohibited
By City of Georgetown ordinance, fireworks are not allowed in the city limits of Georgetown or within 5,000 feet of the city limits, unless they are used in a permitted display authorized by the Georgetown Fire Department. This area outside city limits includes, but is not limited to, the neighborhoods of Cedar Hollow, Crystal Knoll, Escalera, Fountainwood, Indian Creek, Logan Ranch Road, Lost Rivers, Oak Crest, Olde Oak Estates, Serenada, Shady Oaks, Turtle Bend, and Woodland Park, and areas along D.B Wood Road.
Violations can lead to fines of up to $2,000 per firework. To view a map showing the 5,000-foot boundary, go to Georgetown fireworks ban area map.
Additionally, please make sure your dog is secure inside your home, particularly during the evenings of the holiday weekend. Georgetown animal control officers pick up several loose dogs around the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays, many of whom are never reunited with their owners.
Protect your family and pets from the heat this summer
As temperatures rise, the City wants to remind you to protect your family and pets against hot temperatures and heat-related illness on local summer excursions.
Protect pet paws
In hotter temperatures, it becomes increasingly dangerous for your dog to go on walks on concrete and asphalt. Asphalt absorbs heat throughout the day and stays hot even after the sun goes down, which can burn a pet’s paw pads. Pro tip: Take short walks in the early morning and stay in the shade. If it’s too hot for you to keep your hand on the asphalt/concrete for more than five seconds, it’s too hot for your dog.
Stay hydrated
It is important to remember to drink water to prevent dehydration and heat-related illness.
Dogs usually need three to four times the normal amount of water in hot weather, depending on their size and activity level, to stay hydrated. If you’re taking them for a hike or day at the lake, make sure to take plenty of extra water for them. Watch for signs of dehydration, such as pale gums and lethargy. Pro tip: Adding a touch of low-sodium broth can encourage drinking.
Don’t leave your dog or small children in a parked vehicle
Leaving your pet or child in a parked car on a warm day can be a deadly mistake. The temperature in a parked car can heat up like an oven, even with the windows cracked. For example, it can reach 140 degrees in less than 15 minutes. Open windows and shaded parking areas won’t save your pet’s life in temperatures that high.
Dogs pant to cool off and only excrete sweat through their paw pads instead of sweating through their skin like people. With only hot air to breathe, your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke. Pro tip: This time of year, leave your pets at home. If you must take them (on vacation or to an appointment), plan your day so that you can drive directly to the destination.
If you see a dog left in a hot car in Georgetown, and it appears to be in distress, call 512-930-3510, ext. 6, for Animal Control.
Children in hot cars can experience the same effects. If you see a child unattended in a vehicle, please call 911.
Prepare and stay safe
Knowing the signs of heat-related illness and how to respond is important. You can find more information on how to prepare and stay safe in the heat at ready.gov/heat.
Ubiquity breaks ground on open-access fiber system in Georgetown, Texas
Ubiquity, a private infrastructure investment firm that develops and manages critical communications infrastructure throughout the United States, broke ground Wednesday on a new open-access fiber system it is installing throughout Georgetown.
Ubiquity initially plans to invest $75 million to establish fiber connectivity across Georgetown. Installation work will begin simultaneously in the northwest and southeast sections of Georgetown. Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete. The project will provide connectivity for 80 percent of residents and 95 percent of businesses in Georgetown, with the first customers expected to come online in summer 2022.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ubiquity and its open-access fiber system to Georgetown,” Mayor Schroeder said. “As connectivity and internet access become increasingly important, Ubiquity’s impact to our residents and businesses — both existing and those to come — will benefit all of us for decades to come.”
Ubiquity’s open-access model makes the fiber system available to multiple tenants, including any local and national cable and internet service providers, as well as other technology platforms, such as 5G wireless cell sites. This approach reduces the cost and disruption of construction for providers looking to expand to Georgetown and maximizes connectivity choice to residents, businesses, and anyone bringing connected solutions to the city.
“We see how cities are changing, and we view high-speed communication networks just like we view other utilities like water, electricity, and gas,” Ubiquity Managing Director Greg Dial said. “They are simple necessities we count on every day to live our lives. Ubiquity’s goal is to ensure that access is seen across not only this city but other cities surrounding Georgetown.”
Ubiquity’s infrastructure provides flexible capacity, fueling connectivity growth for Georgetown over the next 20-plus years. Regardless of the technology adopted over this time, open-access fiber connectivity will be available to support it quickly and economically.
Plans are underway for continued growth of the Ubiquity fiber network in the greater north Austin area, with additional announcements expected throughout 2022 and 2023.
For more information about Ubiquity, visit ubiquitygp.com.
Updated: Frequently asked questions
Q: Can we see a map that shows the neighborhoods that will receive service and when the service will be available?
A: We are unable to share maps of the areas to be provided and when specific neighborhoods will come online. Per Ubiquity, maps of planned build areas are subject to change due to a variety of conditions and also can be used by other builders in an attempt to block build progress.
Here’s the latest status, as of May 25, 2022:
- Initial permits are submitted, and you should start seeing construction work happening around town as early as next week.
- Fiber build work will begin simultaneously in the northwest and southeast sections of Georgetown in an attempt to maximize coverage across different parts of the city. This also allows Ubiquity to move quickly into neighboring areas. Ubiquity is also building a data center on Ronald Reagan Boulevard and expects to serve customers with their fiber network in areas down Hwy. 29 and bordering Liberty Hill, along with the initial build zones in Georgetown and Sun City, by end of summer.
- Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete, but Ubiquity expects to have as many as 5,000-7,000 addresses completed by end of the year. As addresses are passed, one or more of the internet service providers who will use the network will reach out to residents, generally within 60 days of completion of an area.
- The project will provide connectivity for 80 percent of residents and 95 percent of businesses in Georgetown, with the first customers expected to come online around August.
Q: Is Ubiquity providing internet service?
A: Ubiquity’s network is ‘multi-tenant capable’, meaning they can allow for as many internet service providers as have interest on the fiber network. Ubiquity already has one signed up, FiberFirst www.fiberfirst.com, that is taking early sign up interest currently. Ubiquity will be in charge of soliciting other internet service providers to use their infrastructure, but should any reach out to the City, we would be more than happy to connect them.
2022 Sunset Movie Series returns this summer
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department is bringing back its Sunset Movie Series this summer.
Showtimes are as follows:
- Friday, June 10: “Raya and the Last Dragon” (PG)
- Friday, July 15: “Hook” (PG)
- Friday, Aug. 12: “Encanto” (PG)
The screenings will take place in the Legacy Pavilion in San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St.
This is a free community event. The movies start at sunset, about 8:30 p.m. Moviegoers are welcome to bring blankets, chairs, and picnics. Come early for free popcorn, to explore the park, and to visit with vendors.
For details, visit parks.georgetown.org/sunset-movie-series.
City hosts lifeguard hiring event May 13
The City of Georgetown is facing a lifeguard shortage that may lead to operational changes at the public swimming pools. The Parks and Recreation Department currently has 20 lifeguards on staff, about one-third of the more than 60 needed to fully operate pools this summer.
The City will be hosting a hiring event from 4-6 p.m. May 13 at the Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave. The event will feature free food, drinks, and prizes, as well as on-site application and hiring opportunities. Lifeguard pay ranges from $10.50-$16.50 an hour depending on position and experience. Lifeguard certification will be provided.
The department is also hiring swim instructors, camp counselors, childcare and recreation aides, and an adventure camp specialist.
Summer jobs like these are great opportunities for teenagers, college students, and anyone looking for a fun way to earn extra money.
Apply today or learn more at Georgetown.org/jobs.
City to host household hazardous waste event May 18
The City will host a free household hazardous waste collection event from 3-5 p.m. May 18 at the old show barn site in San Gabriel Park, 425 E. Morrow St.
The event will be available for up to 200 Georgetown solid waste customers who have solid waste service through Texas Disposal Systems. Customers must contact Customer Care at 512-930-3640 or customercare@georgetown.org to have their names placed on a list. Please include your name, address, and utility account number when emailing customer care. Customers must have their names on the list to participate.
Residents must remain in their vehicles during the no-contact collection. Staff will unload items from the back seat or trunk of the vehicle.
All items to be dropped off must be in their marked original containers. Commercial disposal and trailers are not allowed.
Acceptable items include:
- Batteries (household, hearing aids, cell phone, etc.)
- Automobile batteries
- Pool and spa chemicals
- Used oil/oil filters (up to five gallons per vehicle)
- Transmission fluid
- Light bulbs (including regular, compact, and four-foot fluorescent)
- Grease
- Thermometers
- Over the counter, residential lawn and garden chemicals
- Aerosols
- Household cleaners and disinfectants marked caution, warning, or poison
- Art and hobby chemicals
- Paint (up to 10 gallons per vehicle)
- Over the counter one-pound disposal propane bottles
- Gasoline (up to five gallons per vehicle)
Unacceptable items include:
- Unmarked containers or unknown chemicals
- Construction, commercial, or landscape waste
- Professional, concentrated chemicals that require a professional license to mix
- Medications or pharmaceuticals
- Oxygen tanks
- Electronics
- Tires
- Explosives (including ammunition and fireworks)
- Radioactive materials
- Biological materials
The City is planning additional household hazardous waste collection events for 2022.
For more information about the City’s solid waste and recycling services, visit recycle.georgetown.org.
Williamson County hosts two household hazardous waste collection events open to all county residents each year. The next event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Gupton Stadium Parking Lot in Cedar Park. Details for the county’s event can be found here.
Blood drive at the Georgetown Recreation Center on May 6
The City of Georgetown will host a blood drive May 6 for We Are Blood, the nonprofit community blood supplier for Central Texas. The event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the bus parking area at the Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
Appointments are encouraged and can be scheduled through the We Are Blood website or by calling at 512-206-1242 or 512-206-1266. Walk-ins are welcome, but donors with appointments will be prioritized.
Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 115 pounds, and be in good health. Donors must show a valid, government-issued photo ID and eat a meal two to three hours prior to donating. Additional eligibility requirements are listed online.
Face masks are optional, and physical distancing is encouraged. Staff will clean materials and furniture after each use. People who recently have tested positive for or are suspected of having COVID-19 should not donate.
For eligibility questions, assistance signing up, or more information, please contact We Are Blood through the phone numbers and website listed above.
