On August 22, 2020 the McKinney Parks Foundation had a successful project day at the McKinney Greens area (formerly a golf course located at the NW corner to Highway 5 & Stewart Road). Volunteers included members of the MPF, the Young Men’s Service League, neighborhood residents, and the City’s Park’s and Recreation Staff.
Four new benches were build by the MPF and installed along the pond areas. New trails were also created. Volunteers also cleared a half acre of brush and ragweed from the pond area, and made the space accessible again. Parking for this area is along Stewart Road, just West of Highway 5.
In the Spring of 2020, the City of McKinney Parks Department supplied the McKinney Parks Foundation with a shipping container to be used as a tool storage shed. This container will reside on City property and will be converted to a storage shed for tools. The MPF applied for a grant to fund the purchase of tools, and the grant was approved in May of 2020. The grant is from the McKinney Community Development Corporation.
The purpose of the shed/shipping container is to store tools for various volunteer community organizations that assist with the management, enhancement, restorations, and maintenance McKinney Park’s properties.
The Tool Storage will include rakes, shovels, wheel barrows, loppers, shears, and other hand tools commonly needed for park and grounds maintenance on approved McKinney Parks Department projects. The MPF will administer the distribution and collection of the tools to various groups and organizations. All tools will be marked with the MPF logo, and the “Donated by: MCDC” label and MCDC logo. The goal is for the renovation of the shipping container and acquisition of tools to take place during the Spring and Summer, so that the tools can be available for use by the Fall of 2020. The grant application will include all the costs associated with the interior/exterior renovation, and a baseline set of tools for community use. Additionally, tools donated from the community can now have a place to be safely stored. All labor for the project will be supplied on a volunteer basis by the McKinney Parks Foundation.
Shipping container to be converted to a tool storage shed
At the first City Council meeting in March, Mayor George Fuller proclaimed March 3rd as McKinney Parks Foundation Day!
Members of MPF were presented the proclamation document. The foundation celebrated its third year since inception, with over 900 volunteer hours contributed toward the stewardship of McKinney’s natural spaces. The foundation organizes monthly projects for the enhancements of trail spaces and provides maintenance for the McKinney Greens preserve.
To get involved, join us for one of the events listed in the event calendar online or e-mail mckinneyparksfoundation@gmail.com.
On Saturday, January 18th, McKinney Parks Foundation (MFP) volunteers made improvements to the Community Center Trail in East McKinney. The trail, adjacent to the McKinney Community Center on the south side of Towne Lake, is a public trail serving the citizens of McKinney. The MFP has increased accessibility along the trail over the years, allowing the the City’s Parks & Recreation department to schedule guided nature hikes.
On Saturday volunteers cleared a new trail path, allowing for the future closure of a portion of the trail bordering the creek. Trail improvements and maintenance are and ongoing process.
Missed City of McKinney’s last FREE guided nature hike? Visit the City’s website and activity guide for the latest information and registration. Bring the family and enjoy this special trail space. Upcoming hikes are scheduled for 3/21/2020 at 10:30 AM and 4/11/2020 at 10:30 AM.
