Active Aging in Richardson: How the Richardson Senior Center Supports Total Wellness
Discover how the Richardson Senior Center empowers adults 50+ to stay physically fit, mentally sharp, and socially connected through diverse City of Richardson programs.
Building Stronger Neighborhoods: The Vital Role of Neighborhood Associations in Richardson, TX
Why Richardson HOAs and Neighborhood Groups Are Essential for Community Life A neighborhood is more than just streets and houses—it’s a community where families put down roots, friendships are formed, and a strong sense of belonging grows. In Richardson, Texas, neighborhood associations play a vital, active role in preserving this quality of life and ensuring communities remain vibrant places to live. Information provided by the City of Richardson. Defining Your Neighborhood Association While many groups in Richardson refer to themselves as HOAs (Homeowners Associations), it’s important to understand the key distinction between a voluntary Neighborhood Association and a formal legal entity: Feature Neighborhood Association (NA) Homeowners Association (HOA) Membership Open to all residents (homeowners, renters, businesses, etc.); Optional Open to property owners within specific boundaries; Mandatory Dues Voluntary Mandatory and legally enforceable Authority No legal power to enforce maintenance or design standards Formal legal entity to enforce private deed restrictions and covenants Richardson’s Neighborhood Associations (NA model) are voluntary groups of residents and stakeholders who work together to maintain and improve the quality of life in their neighborhood. More than 75 associations exist to serve Richardson residents. Associations must typically have bylaws that require at least one annual general membership meeting and annual election of officers. Association position statements are reached through consensus. Unparalleled Engagement with the City of Richardson According to Lindsay Turman, City of Richardson Director of Community Services, Richardson’s neighborhood associations have an unparalleled level of engagement with the City. Monthly Collaboration: HOA presidents meet monthly to share updates and collaborate on community priorities. Neighborhood Workshops: The City hosts these workshops twice a year to provide education and resources directly to residents. This open, ongoing dialogue is unique; homeowners in Richardson actively seek opportunities to connect with City staff and leaders, making the municipality a model for strong civic partnership. Key Benefits of Active Neighborhood Involvement From annual celebrations like to seasonal gatherings, the enthusiasm of Richardson’s residents strengthens community life. Several core benefits arise from active involvement: Preserving Property Values: By maintaining shared spaces, enforcing neighborhood standards, and organizing beautification projects, NAs and HOAs help keep communities visually appealing and attractive to both current and future residents. Enhancing Community Connections: Associations serve as a social backbone, creating opportunities through block parties, holiday celebrations, and safety initiatives. These events build trust and belonging. Advocacy and Representation: An association acts as a unified voice for homeowners, ensuring that residents’ interests are represented and heard when addressing issues like traffic, infrastructure improvements, or neighborhood revitalization projects with the City of Richardson. Shared Amenities and Services: Many formal HOAs provide access to shared resources such as pools, parks, and community centers. Even for NAs, the collective maintenance of common areas adds significant value. A Collective Investment in the Future Ultimately, HOAs in Richardson are more than organizations; they are partnerships between neighbors and the City. By joining and participating, homeowners contribute not only to the care of their property but to the health and vitality of their entire community. This ensures that Richardson continues to be a city where neighborhoods thrive and everyone feels at home. How to Get Involved in Your Neighborhood Association Joining your HOA or Neighborhood Association is only the first step—participation is where the real impact is made. Here are a few practical ways homeowners in Richardson can get involved and support their community: Attend Meetings: HOA meetings are where important decisions are made. Regular attendance keeps you informed and gives you a voice in shaping your neighborhood’s future. Volunteer for Committees: Whether it’s organizing social events, overseeing landscaping, or working on safety initiatives, committees offer a chance to contribute your skills and interests. Run for a Board Position: Serving on the board gives you direct input into budgets, policies, and community priorities. Support Neighborhood Events: Simply showing up—whether it’s a holiday gathering, clean-up day, or community garage sale—helps strengthen the sense of togetherness. Spread the Word: Encourage neighbors to participate, share information, and help foster a culture of involvement. To find your local Neighborhood Association or for more City resources, please visit the official City of Richardson website at Richardson, TX | City of Richardson Home
Richardson’s 2025 Chinese New Year Celebration
Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year because the date of the celebration follows the lunar calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year celebrations can be dated as far back as 3,500 years.
The Richardson Symphony League Rich in History, Focused on the Future
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] By Susan Kassen The Richardson Symphony League is rich in tradition and history, dating back to its establishment in 1966. The volunteer organization serves the Symphony and the Richardson community through contributions of time, talent and resources, all with a desire to see the Richardson Symphony prosper as a cultural and civic force. Besides price in supporting the highly regarded RSO, members enjoy invitations to special events related to the arts and Richardson community. The organization is open to middle school and high school aged students in Richardson and surrounding areas. All members receive season tickets to the RSO concerts and enjoy opportunities to meet other students, League members and even musicians within the RSO. The RSL works with students to help them achieve their goals of obtaining service hours as well as leadership development. While all members are open to participate in all activities, members are only required to attend two concerts, two meetings and two service events to be considered a member in good standing. The service events are often combined with meetings and concerts so students can maximize their time, given how overscheduled students can be these days and the organization tries hard to accommodate this busy lifestyle. The cost for each student to join the RSL is $75 per year and $100 per parent sponsor (each student must have a parent sponsor to become a member). If you would like to join this wonderful organization, follow the link in the QR code on this page, or simply reach out to Faith Townsend, Marketing & Development Manager, at ftownsend@richardsonsymphony.org. * Volunteer Opportunities * Support your Community and the Arts * Leadership Development [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Richardson Library Back in Business
A temporary Homes for Beloved City Service By Patti Otte While the City of Richardson’s original library undergoes its much anticipated transformation, citizens can once again enjoy the Richardson Library’s approximately 235,000 items in its new, albeit temporary, 29,000 sq. ft. home. The space has been thoughtfully designed to maximize the space and create a welcoming environment for its patrons. The recently opened library is housed in space adjacent to the new City Hall, but it can be tricky to find, almost hiding in plain sight. 2360 Campbell Creek Boulevard is its street address, but visitors can easily access the library via a driveway entrance off Plano Road. As potential guests travel northbound on Plano Road from Campbell, the library can be found on the west side of the street just a few turn-ins north of Calloway’s Nursery. Alternately, the entrance off Plano Road is just south of the light at N Greenville Avenue. At first glance, the building can be mistaken for an office warehouse, but the City has installed informative signs around the complex, indicating entrances for the library, the new City Hall, and the City Hall annex. Many aspects of the library have remained the same. Residents can still check out or drop off physical materials and InterLibrary Loans are once again available. Notarial services and programming for adults, teens and children are back in full swing. Guests will also have the benefit of complimentary WiFi with hotspots for checkout. The library’s business center includes a laptop kiosk for use within the library; both black & white and color printing; a copier; and 3D printing. Tables, chairs and study carrels are scattered throughout the library for adults, teens and children. New computer work stations Children’s Area And while the new facility does not have meeting spaces for the public, it does have both a story time room and a conference room for library programming. Guests will, however, encounter a few changes. Due to its size, the temporary location does not have private study areas and will not be accepting donations. The library does have laptop computers for checkout, but no longer has desktop computers for public use. The library’s impressive 11-bin automated sorter helps streamline the circulation process for staff members. It uses RFID tags to sort and check in items and prints out hold slips if the item has a hold request. Circulation staff members then match up the slip with the item and place it on the hold shelf for the patron. Items are sorted by their collection and location within the building, making it easier and quicker to get them back on the shelf for the next visitor. Most items are available to check out for three weeks. BOOKbabble “to go” bags have an extended check-out time of six weeks. Lending periods for Interlibrary Loans are set by the lending library. States Library Director Jennifer Davidson, “Our goal is for the community to feel proud to have a place that promotes learning, inclusivity, and equal access to knowledge, aiding in personal growth and community well-being.” Mission accomplished, Ms. Davidson. For more information about the library’s many programs, visit http://cor.net/library. Tables and study carrels for public use Library’s 11-bin automated sorter LIBRARY LOCATION & HOURS: 2360 Campbell Creek Boulevard Richardson, TX 75082 Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Friday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday 2:00 pm – 6:00
The Richardson Senior Center
A Special Village Within our City Limits In 1945, General Douglas MacArthur was tasked with overseeing the rebuilding of Japan following World War II. He did so from his walnutpaneled sixth floor office in Tokyo’s Dai Chi Life Insurance Company building. For inspiration, General MacArthur posted pictures in his office of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as well as a copy of his favorite poem by Samuel Ullman entitled “Youth.” n his timeless poem, Ullman envisions youthfulness as a state of mind, not the number of years a person has lived. He believed in embracing a spirit of wonder at every stage of life and experiencing beauty and cheer at every opportunity. It’s as if the founders of the Richardson Senior Center shared Ullman’s understanding of a life well-lived and, consequently, created a gathering place for those citizens aged fifty and older to continue truly living. Led by its energetic and enthusiastic Program and Senior Center Manager Susan Talbot, the thoughtfully redesigned Senior Center is home to a “village” of friends and neighbors who truly care about one another and are finding ways to enjoy this season of life together. Founded in 1993, the Senior Center moved to its current, convenient location at 820 W. Arapaho Rd. almost two years ago. Housed in a former bank building, the Senior Center boasts several flexible meeting spaces/classrooms, a fitness center, a pool room with three oft-used pool tables and spots for onlookers, a great selection of books and puzzles, four computers for members’ use, and a café which serves a light lunch every weekday. A small gift shop called the Robin’s Nest is filled with items handmade by members 50+ and run exclusively by those same seniors. The facility is clean, fresh and cheerfully appointed, a place where the magic of belonging happens Monday through Saturday thanks to the people who work and volunteer at the Richardson Senior Center. Susan Talbot and her team handle not only programming but also ensure that the visitors who use the facility feel at home and take advantage of its many opportunities for growth and enrichment. Susan strives to know each member well: she memorizes their names, their stories, their joys and even their sorrows. She calls each member by name because she believes in the importance of being known. Her self-proclaimed goal is to nourish the minds, health and wellbeing of each of the 400-500+ active members of the Senior Center. Frequent visitor Vivian Marino discovered the Center thanks to a move her parents made from Pittsburgh, PA, to Richardson to care for their grandchildren. At first the couple stayed close to home between times with family. Once they began visiting the Senior Center, however, their lives in Richardson changed in a beautiful way. Vivian’s mom began teaching ceramics at the Center and her dad taught line dancing to the other seniors. Vivian’s mom organized the Saturday night dances which still happen today. The couple were active at the Center for more than twenty years. After retiring from teaching in 2011, Vivian followed in her parents’ footsteps and joined the Senior Center as well. When asked what she would like Richardson residents to know about it, Vivian, now aged 77, replies, “I want the citizens of Richardson to be aware of the TREASURE that they have right here in our community. We learn from the younger members and we are enriched by the wisdom of our older members.” “Youth is not a time of life – it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of red cheeks, red lips and supple knees. It is a temper of the will; a quality of the imagination; a vigor of the emotions; it is a freshness of the deep springs of life. Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over a life of ease. This often exists in a man of fifty, more than in a boy of twenty.” Joe Keffer, now 75 years young, lost his beloved wife of 50 years in March of 2021. While dealing with his grief, a loss of identity, purpose and friends, he began looking for an environment in which he could find intellectual, social and physical activities. The journey led him to Richardson’s Senior Center. There he found “the most fascinating people: lawyers, scientists, professors, investors and travelers.” Says Joe, the Center “provides a place to go; it is a reason to get out of bed in the morning and to live life again.” Vivian and Joe are just two of the countless seniors whose lives have been blessed by the Richardson Senior Center. For more information about the Center or to purchase a membership, call 972.744.4800 or visit http://cor.net. You’ll find the Senior Center within the Parks & Recreation Department’s information. “Senior citizens have a very diverse set of needs. Aging does not diminish our desire for a meaningful life; we need to stay active, engaged and connected. Social interaction is essential to prevent loneliness, isolation and even depression…Education and lifelong learning keep seniors involved and challenged. Many seniors still have the desire and capability to be of service to others as teachers and caregivers. The Richardson Senior Center is a unique facility where these needs are addressed daily.”
Canyon Creek Country Club
Richardson Oasis Undergoing Major Renovation Canyon Creek Country Club, located in the heart of the Canyon Creek neighborhood, offers a variety of member privileges, including a championship 18-hole golf course, 13 outdoor tennis courts, 4 indoor courts, 10 outdoor pickleball courts and a resort-style pool experience. This family-friendly club offers year-round children’s programming, creative culinary experiences from an award-winning chef, and a variety of social venues. A multi-million dollar club reinvention is now in progress and on track to be completed in phases throughout 2023 as the club celebrates sixty years! Big changes are happening at CCCC: • Pool – The entire resort style pool area, including the adults-only area and kids’ amenities, is being upgraded with new surfaces, furniture and improvements to the bar and cabanas. Opening in late May. • Golf – A completely refined golf experience is underway with updates to the original course design plus a fleet of new golf carts. Opening late fall 2023. • Clubhouse – A refreshed dining concept will be unveiled along with the addition of an all-new modern fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment. Both will have gorgeous views of the upgraded golf course. A lovely patio area offers several seating options to enjoy a meal or drink with scenic views of the golf course. The Terrace Room is the perfect spot to host a celebratory dinner. I love that there are many spaces within the club to connect with friends and family or to have a quiet lunch and catch up on emails. The tennis lounge is a personal favorite, a cozy spot tucked away near the outdoor tennis courts. Even with construction taking place, the club’s doors are still open. Golf members can still play at select Invited Clubs locations. Tennis is in full swing (the courts were upgraded last year), 10 new pickleball courts just opened, and a full schedule of special member events, including Easter, Mother’s Day and more, keeps members busy. Canyon Creek Country Club is also the site of the immensely popular annual Fourth of July Parade and afterparty sponsored by the Canyon Creek Homeowners Association. Why we joined CCCC Our family loves that the country club resides in our local area and has something for everyone in our family. Ryan and Andrew play golf and we were looking for somewhere nearby where they could play often but enjoy other activities as well. The pool scene was also a huge draw for us. Typically, we join a pool in the summer to have a place to cool off on hot summer days. CCCC has three pools: a main resort style pool with diving board and water slide, a children’s pool and splash pad, and an adults-only pool. Private cabanas are available to rent and there’s an outdoor bar as well. From special dinners to golf and tennis tournaments to trunk shows to dive-in movies, the social calendar is filled with opportunities to connect with friends or meet new ones. I like to browse the Club Life App each week to see what’s happening. It’s an easy way to reserve tee times, view the calendar/hours and more. Canyon Creek Country Club is truly a Richardson gem. Andrea Overturf is the founder of the lifestyle blog Loubies and Lulu. She is a content creator focused on fitness, healthy living, style, travel, family, local attractions and more. Andrea and her husband Ryan have lived in Richardson since 2005 and have two children, Marisa (20) and Andrew (12). Find her at loubiesandlulu.com, @loubiesandlulu on Instagram and Facebook!