Author: ELLEN ATAIE

The McKinney Parks Foundation has been proud to support the volunteer efforts to build the new skills course at Erwin Park. Volunteers from the McKinney Parks Foundation participated in the final preparations in April prior to the grand opening.

Rich Szecsy serves the the current President of the MPF and is also the Trail Steward at Erwin Park. Rich’s tireless efforts have helped make this park attraction possible. He brought together multiple volunteer groups and clubs (DORBA, City of McKinney, McKinney Parks Foundation, scout groups, Team Dirt and Vert, North Texas Cycling, Texas Shreds, and many others) for the construction of the course.

Thursday, January 13th form 6-8 PM

The McKinney Parks Foundation had a successful 2022 kickoff event. We welcomed visitors learn more about our 2022 initiatives and convey our excitement about the newest trail we will be working on in 2022 which will be accessible from Gray Branch Road.

We want to extend a special “Thank You” to the Parks Department employees, the Mead Family for lending their event space, and our friends with other clubs and non-profits who have supported our events and are excellent partners (Collin County Master Gardeners, DORBA, and more).

Subscribe to our e-mail list to be notified of upcoming events are they are published. We look forward to an exciting 2022!

The McKinney Parks Foundation held the July volunteer day at the Wilson Creek Trail adjacent to the Recreation Center at Towne Lake. Volunteers removed several fallen trees on the work day July 17th and again during the week. Check out the video below to see some of our work in action! Join the MPF for our monthly volunteer days. If you enjoy working with tools outside, we are the place for you!

Other work performed included litter collection, trimming of overgrowth, and the clearing of brush around the picnic areas. Volunteers who need to earn service hours for their school or club can have their paperwork signed by a board member at the end of each event. The Wilson Creek Trail is one of two Adopt-a-Spot sites where the MPF performs maintenance and enhancement for public enjoyment.

May 15, 2021: The prairie located on the north end of Erwin Park sustained damage last year when cars drove over the prairie and parked in unauthorized areas. Volunteers installed erosion control mats during our Saturday event. The area has been marked off with caution tape. Grass seed was also applied across the area. The restoration of the prairie was an important step in preservation and maintenance of the park.

The trail work day event on May 15th was a larger joint effort with multiple volunteers and organizations. Volunteers on site included: Dallas Off-road Bike Association (DOBRA), friends of Erwin Park, the McKinney Parks Foundation, McKinney Running Club members, and snacks were provided by Sun & Ski Sports. A lot of progress was made on the mountain bike skills course.

The McKinney Parks Foundation received at grant from ExtremeTerrain for trail projects at the Wilson Creek Nature Trail at Towne Lake, Erwin Park, and McKinney Greens projects. The grant of $250.00 will supply tools for trail maintenance and enhancements.

The McKinney Parks Foundation will be putting the tools to use during an event on April 24th at McKinney Greens. Check back for more at the end of April when we can show what we have accomplished with the grant!

Extreme Terrain’s Website: Click Here

On January 16th, 2021, volunteers with the McKinney Parks Foundation cleared an area of McKinney Greens to reveal a historic railroad abutment from the early 1900’s. The Texas Electric Railroad went through McKinney and crossed the Wilson Creek west of Highway 5. This hidden gem is a part of McKinney’s past and can now be enjoyed and appreciated by the residents. Over 20 volunteers from groups such as the Lion’s Club and Young Men’s Service League devoted their efforts to this project.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by McKinney Parks Foundation (@mckinneyparksfoundation)

A Map of the Texas Interurban rail system can be found online here.

On December 12th, volunteers began work on a new section of trail located on the south end of Towne Lake near the bridge that connects the path to the rec center area. The McKinney Parks Foundation and volunteers will make more progress in the coming months to connect this area to the other interior trails.

Over 30 volunteers worked to spread mulch around the trail benches, remove leaves and debris from the road, and pick up several bags of trash.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by McKinney Parks Foundation (@mckinneyparksfoundation)

Volunteers also cleared leaves and dirt from the road area and spread mulch around the benches along the trail.

On October 17, 2020, the McKinney Parks Foundation made improvements to the South entrance of the Community Center Trail, located adjacent to the Towne Lake Recreation Center. Over 55 volunteers participated in the volunteer event day. Participants included groups from the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists, Young Men’s Service League, scout troops, and many community volunteers.

The South entrance of the trail was cleared of brush and weeds and mulch was spread over the area to create a picnic space. Invasive species of plants were removed and the benches had been donated by Boy Scout troop 1299.

Boy Scouts of America Troop 1299 of Allen, TX (Suncreek United Methodist Church, Circle 10 Council and Eagle Trail District) has built and installed a group of five wooden picnic tables along the south end of the of Towne Lake Recreation Center Community Trail entrance.

The McKinney Parks Foundation would like to extend a huge “thank you” to the troop for the participation with the maintenance and enhancement of the trail space adjacent to the recreation center. The MPF is excited to provide opportunities for scout troops and service groups to complete their community service projects.

The McKinney Parks Foundation is always in need of tools for service for our volunteer event days. As the attendance to our events grow, so does our need for the tools to get the job done! Your organization or family can sponsor tools for use by the MPF during volunteer events. Please visit our AMAZON WISHLIST to see items needed.

Donors can have their name applied to the handle of the tool. Please be sure to provide a gift receipt with the Amazon Wishlist purchase and e-mail mckinneyparksfoundation@gmail.com to notify of us of the donation and what you want printed on the tool handle.

The tools will become part of the inventory in the MPF’s community tool shed. This tool shed is under development. With a grant from the McKinney Community Development Corporation and storage container donation from the McKinney Parks Department, the MPF is in the process of creating a community tool storage shed. The vision for the storage shed is to have a place where Community service groups will be able to borrow tools for organized community enhancement projects.