Do you know of a University Park resident who has spent time and effort to improve the city's quality of life and you think deserves recognition? 

Nominations for the 2012 Citizen of the Year are being accepted by the City of University Park from now until June 1 for residents of any age who have worked to better the community.

The purpose of the award is to recognize a local resident who has displayed an exceptional level of citizenship through actions, such as improving the University Park environment, fundraising for good causes and promoting local youth opportunities.

To nominate someone for University Park Citizen of the Year, fill out the candidate application and mail it to the City. (The City of University Park is not accepting nominations of past and present City mayors and Council members.)

When all of the nominations have been received, a panel of City staff and Council members will review the candidates, and the winner will be notified during the week of June 11.

The person chosen to be Citizen of the Year and his or her immediate family will be invited to ride in the community's Fourth of July Parade with University Park City Council members and will be presented afterward with a plaque and gift in Goar Park.

For more information, check out this month's edition of the University Park newsletter The Arbor.