Good Morning, Justin and Neighbors!

We officially made it to the last week of school… which means summer is peeking around the corner, the kids are already asking for snacks every 12 minutes, and your wallet is about to enter its busiest season of the year.

And if you needed a sign to make it through the week, apparently Justin delivered one — in the form of a rainbow over the train tracks. We’re choosing to believe it means good things are ahead… or at the very least that we’ll all survive the end-of-school chaos with minimal glitter explosions and lost water bottles.

So before summer camps, snow cones, “Mom can we go to Target?” trips, and grocery bills take over the budget — this is your friendly reminder to stop by that local coffee shop, boutique, nail salon, or favorite small business and treat yourself a little this week. You’ve earned it.

Here’s to surviving the final school countdown, soaking up the sunshine, and maybe enjoying one peaceful iced coffee before the chaos officially begins. ☀️

THE DIGEST

The May 14 City Council meeting covered a range of proclamations, policy updates, community development items, and long-term planning initiatives.

Mayor James Clark issued proclamations recognizing National Police Week (May 11–16) and National Public Works Week (May 17–23), honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement and public works professionals. The Council also acknowledged several April observances, including Child Abuse Prevention Month, Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and National Library Week.

Council discussed ongoing efforts to enhance community spaces, including downtown improvements such as lighting, parking, seating, food truck access, and public gathering areas. Staff also noted opportunities to repurpose existing benches for cost-effective upgrades.

The Council approved an amendment to the City’s Alcoholic Beverages Code (Section 6-24). The update clarifies when and where alcohol consumption is allowed in public areas, establishes enforcement rules, and continues to allow designated event spaces under approved permits.

A $12,500 sponsorship agreement was approved to support the 2026 J Rec Youth Sports Program at Justin Community Park. The funding will help support youth sports seasons, events, and community recreation programming while providing sponsor recognition and engagement opportunities.

Council approved participation in a regional fire services study with New Fairview. The analysis will evaluate response times, station placement, staffing needs, and future growth impacts to help guide long-term emergency services planning.

A professional services agreement with Opportunity Strategies LLC was approved for the Justin Economic Development Corporation / Community Development Corporation.

The project includes economic development training, a SWOT analysis, and a strategic planning retreat to develop 1–3 year goals and implementation plans. Contract value is not to exceed $22,000.

Updates to city personnel policies were approved, including:

A Citizens Academy program was requested for future consideration. The idea would offer residents a multi-session program to better understand how city government works, similar to programs in other cities, with sessions and a graduation ceremony.

The meeting focused on balancing public safety recognition, community engagement, infrastructure planning, and long-term economic development efforts as the City continues to grow.

As the weather warms up and we all start spending more time outside, mosquito season is quietly ramping back up across Texas. Whether you’ve called Texas home for years or you’re still getting used to what Texas spring and summer really feel like, these pests are something you’ll want to start thinking about now—not after the bites start.

One interesting (and slightly annoying) fact: only female mosquitoes bite. Male mosquitoes actually feed on plant nectar. The females are the ones that need blood to develop their eggs, which is why they’re the ones we notice—and swat at—most often.

Mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance; they can carry disease, and they thrive in our warm, humid climate. The biggest issue in Texas is how easily they breed. It doesn’t take much: a bottle cap of water, a plant saucer, clogged gutters, or low spots in the yard after a rain can become breeding grounds in just a few days.

They’re also highly tuned in to people. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide (your breath), body heat, sweat, and certain natural skin scents—so people who are active outdoors, running warmer, or spending time outside at dusk tend to notice more bites than others.

The good news is that natural prevention goes a long way when it’s consistent. The most effective step is still eliminating standing water weekly. For areas where water can’t be removed—like birdbaths, fountains, or drainage spots—a natural bacteria called BTI (found in mosquito dunks and bits) targets larvae safely without harming pets, birds, or wildlife.

Beyond water control, mosquitoes also love shady, still air. Trimming dense shrubs, opening up airflow around patios, and even using a simple outdoor fan can make a noticeable difference since mosquitoes are weak fliers. Plants like citronella, basil, or lavender may help slightly, but they work best as a supporting layer rather than a main defense.

At the end of the day, it comes down to a few simple habits: remove standing water, treat what you can’t remove, improve airflow, and make your outdoor spaces less inviting. A little prevention now means a lot more time enjoying those warm Texas evenings later—without the constant swatting.

A new fitness option is making its way to Justin this summer. Farmhouse Fitness is expected to open in Justin Town Square next to The Academy in late June, bringing functional fitness classes, strength training, and a community-focused workout environment to town.

The gym focuses on coached group workouts designed for all fitness levels, combining strength, cardio, and conditioning in a supportive atmosphere. According to the company, workouts are scalable for beginners and experienced athletes alike, with an emphasis on helping members “move better, get stronger, and stay consistent.”

With Justin continuing to grow, the addition of another locally focused fitness business gives residents even more opportunities to stay active close to home. Keep an eye out for grand opening details, membership information, and class schedules as the late June opening approaches.

From the grand opening of Peterson Park to Cruisin’ in Justin rolling back into town, this week is packed with reasons to get out of the house and enjoy the community. Whether you’re chasing food trucks, live music, cool cars, playground adventures, or just trying to keep the kids entertained for the final week of school — there’s a little something for everyone around town this week.

Thursday~ May 21

Friday~ May 22

Saturday~ May 23

_{Plan Ahead:}
^{5/25~ Memorial Day
6/5~ Summer Reading Kickoff at Mary Emma Tate Library
6/6~ Community Clothes Closet Purse Auction
7/15~ Deadline to register for Summer Reading Program}

Most people today know it as Peterson Park, but long before neighborhoods and streets lined the Timberbrook area, this land was home to the Peterson Farm—one of the most respected agricultural operations in North Texas.

The story begins in 1867, when John and Christina Peterson immigrated to the United States from Sweden with their children. One of those children, Olaf “Pete” Peterson, was born in Sweden in 1852. In 1892, Pete married Therese Zwicker, and together they established the Peterson Farm about a mile west of Justin.

The couple raised three children on the farm: Victoria, Walter, and Rudolph. Victoria later married Bonnie Glenn Carter and moved to Fort Worth, while Walter and Rudolph remained on the family land after Pete’s passing in 1918. What they built together would become a legacy recognized across Texas and beyond.

According to “The Justin Story” by Grace Lee Parr and historical records preserved by the Justin Heritage Foundation, the Peterson Farm became especially known for its exceptional Shorthorn cattle. Their prize-winning livestock were exhibited throughout the Southwest and even reached Canada and Mexico, earning the Peterson name a reputation for quality breeding, discipline, and agricultural excellence.

A 1949 article from the Denton Record-Chronicle highlighted just how well known the family had become. Every Christmas season for decades, Walter and Rudolph Peterson loaded their prized Shorthorn cattle and traveled to the Fort Worth Stockyards—a tradition they kept for more than 25 years. Their cattle became so widely recognized that buyers nicknamed them the “Christmas Cattle.”

In 1948 alone, one shipment of 15 Shorthorn yearlings averaging 830 pounds sold to Swift and Company at premium prices. Year after year, even through the Depression, Peterson cattle consistently brought top market value—an achievement unmatched by other cattle producers in Texas and neighboring states at the time.

Everything sold through the Fort Worth Stockyards was bred and raised on the Justin farm, with nearly all feed grown on-site. Their influence extended far beyond Texas, with breeding stock shipped east to the Atlantic coast, north to Kansas, west to Colorado, and south into Mexico, Cuba, and South America.

The land itself played a role in the farm’s success. The lime-rich soils around Justin were often compared to Kentucky’s bluegrass region. The Petersons took pride in every aspect of agriculture, raising not only Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep, but also wheat, oats, barley, corn, peanuts, cotton, sorghum, melons, potatoes, hay, fruit, nuts, and timber. The farm even included peacocks, reflecting both diversity and pride in their operation.

For more than four decades, the Petersons participated in agricultural competitions at the community, county, state, and national levels. They exhibited livestock and farm products at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas for 28 consecutive years and earned recognition for champion cattle and sheep across the country.

Walter Peterson once joked about their wide range of exhibits:
“We have shown almost everything produced on a farm except a baby, a guinea and a jackass.”

He also served as president of the Texas Shorthorn Breeders Association and as a longtime director within the organization, further cementing the family’s influence in the industry.

The Peterson cattle program began modestly when the family purchased a single Shorthorn cow from W.E. Smoot, whose family introduced the breed to Denton County. From that small start, they built a nationally respected herd of more than 50 breeding females and two herd bulls, carefully expanding through selective breeding and imported pedigreed stock from northern herds.

Beyond agriculture, the Petersons also gave back to their community. They provided club calves for young agricultural students and supplied livestock for three years to the Texas State Orphans Home in Corsicana.

More than just a farm, the Peterson place became a symbol of agricultural excellence. As the Denton Record-Chronicle wrote in 1949:
“The Peterson Farm is a factory for the improvement in production of better agricultural products.”

Today, Peterson Park carries that legacy forward—honoring the land, the family, and the agricultural history that once defined this corner of Justin.

Grand Opening Celebration

Join us on Thursday, May 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Peterson Park, located at 1300 Timberbrook Parkway, as we celebrate this incredible new community space with an evening of FREE family fun.