I enjoyed seeing everyone at our Independence Day Celebration and I appreciate the Parks & Recreation team putting together this festive event for our community. There are many other upcoming City events, which you’ll find more information on below. Please make sure to stay cool and hydrated as we move through summer in Surprise, and I hope you are getting some time with family and friends!
CURRENT EVENTS
Water Workshops
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Patrick Duffy: District 3 Newsletter — July 2025
Posted
Patrick Duffy
City of Surprise
By Patrick Duffy
I enjoyed seeing everyone at our Independence Day Celebration and I appreciate the Parks & Recreation team putting together this festive event for our community. There are many other upcoming City events, which you’ll find more information on below. Please make sure to stay cool and hydrated as we move through summer in Surprise, and I hope you are getting some time with family and friends!
CURRENT EVENTS
Water Workshops
A beautiful outdoor landscape can be an oasis during the summer months. We can help you turn your outdoor space into an inviting environment with water-wise design, the right variety of beautiful drought-tolerant plants and, of course, some shade. Join us for these summer workshops.
DESIGNING A WATER HARVESTING LANDSCAPE
July 23, 6 - 7:30 p.m. (In person)
September 3, 6 - 7:30 p.m. (Virtual only)
Learn to assess your yard based on integrated design principles and find ways you can shape your landscape to passively harvest rainwater on site.
SELECTING NATIVE PLANTS FOR MULTIPLE BENEFITS| August 6, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Discover how selecting low-water-use, native plants can attract pollinators, shade your home and create an appealing landscape for your yard.
NATIVE LANDSCAPE CARE | August 20, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn the nuances of desert landscapes, the benefits of rainwater harvesting and the proper care of different plant types.
MORE THAN MONARCHS | September 20, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Learn how to build a garden space that attracts a variety of butterflies and other pollinators.
The Surprise Fire-Medical Department is offering free life-saving knowledge and training. These classes aim to provide attendees with basic emergency response training in a comfortable and stress-free environment so community members will know how to start helping while waiting for emergency crews. Please note the registration forms below are only open two weeks before the class date.
Stop the Bleed & Narcan Classes –Participants will learn the basic skills needed to save someone in the event of a deep-penetrating injury and the proper technique needed to deliver Narcan. Classes are on the first Friday of each odd-numbered month. The next class is July 11 (due to the Fourth of July holiday).
CPR Classes –Take a free non-certifying CPR class. Participants will learn the basics of CPR, including chest compressions, AED use and rescue breathing. Classes are on the first Friday of each even-numbered month. The next class is August 1.
To register and get more information, please visit surpriseaz.gov/FireFirstFridays. The maximum class size is 40 people for each session. Participants must be 12 years old or older, and a registered adult must accompany attendees aged 12-17.
Blood Drive
The City of Surprise is partnering with Vitalant Blood Donation to host a blood drive on July 27, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Surprise Regional Library Program Room. Blood donations decline dramatically during the summer, but the need for blood remains constant. Community members wanting to participate are encouraged to make an appointment through the Vitalant website using Blood Drive Code p1T62. Although walk-ins are welcome, those with an appointment will be given priority. For questions or information, please contact 623.222.5127.
Community Meeting
My next community meeting will be on Saturday, August 2, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Public Safety Building Auditorium, 14250 W Statler Plaza. See you there!
City Council Meetings
The next City Council Meeting is on August 5 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the City of Surprise Government Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.
JUNE HIGHLIGHTS
National Monsoon Awareness Week
Mayor Kevin Sartor proclaimed June 8 - 15 as Monsoon Awareness Week in Surprise and encourages all our residents to be prepared for this unpredictable and severe weather season. Monsoon season is typically observed from June 15 - September 30, and brings increased thunderstorm and lightning activity along with the possibility of high winds, dust storms and flash floods. While the severity of weather can vary each season, Surprise residents should have a monsoon safety plan. Read more: https://bit.ly/4dKoo30
NEWS & UPDATES
Neighborhood Grant Program Applications Now Open
Recognizing an opportunity to encourage community engagement and further build strong relationships with communities in Surprise, the City designated $10,000 to support the Neighborhood Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026. To be considered, projects must meet the following program criteria:
Provide a public benefit
Result in a product, which benefits a neighborhood or the larger Surprise community
Be feasible for completion by June 2026
Involve the benefiting neighborhood in project identification, planning and execution
Emphasize neighborhood self-help; be educational or community-building
The City of Surprise is a Heat Relief Network partner. Through September 30, Surprise has several locations providing free hydration and indoor refuge stations for those needing a place to cool off during the year's hottest months.
Locations:
Surprise Resource Center - 12425 W. Bell Rd., Building A, Suite 124
Hollyhock Library - 15844 N. Hollyhock St.
Surprise Regional Library - 16089 N. Bullard Ave.
Asante Library - 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr.
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) coordinates an interactive map with more than 200 locations countywide where people can find indoor cooling and respite centers, hydration stations or donation sites. The network is available at azmag.gov/HeatRelief.
Anyone can experience heat illness or death, regardless of age, health, fitness level or how long they’ve lived in Arizona. The three stages of heat illness are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Learn the signs and symptoms of heat related illness and when it’s time to seek medical attention on the Maricopa County Department of Public Health website.
Here are some tips to stay heat safe:
Stay hydrated; drink water before you feel thirsty.
If you’re sweating heavily or active for long periods, consider drinks with electrolytes to help replace salts and minerals.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
Use air conditioning whenever possible. Fans alone are not effective when temperatures exceed 95°F.
Check on older adults and people living alone often. If something increases their risk, like losing power or air conditioning, you can help them move to a safer, cooler place.
Never leave children, pets or anyone else in a parked car.
SAVE THE DATE
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Appointments
Surprise is officially moving the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program to a monthly appointment system. Through November, Surprise residents can request an appointment for HHW collection pickup right from their driveway during one week each month.
The collection of these materials is split into two types and scheduled separately. One pick-up is for electronic HHW, including flat-screen TVs, computers and cell phones. Another is for all other HHW.
To schedule a collection, residents can use the My Surprise app or call customer service at 623.222.1920. All scheduling is based on availability and is first-come, first-served.
Surprise Day of Service Events
Join us at St. Mary’s Food Bank on July 10 or August 14, to sort and pack food, assist clients and pack Kid's Cafe meals. Volunteer opportunities start at 7:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and noon. Youth ages 12 and over are invited to participate, however all participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required through St. Mary’s Foodbank; this process will require you to create an account on their website. For questions about this event or volunteer opportunities, please go to surpriseaz.gov/DayOfService or call 623.222.1612.
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