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!
April 24th- the McKinney Parks Foundation cleared deadfall from an area of paved trail and removed trees which are diseased and could create a hazard to trail users. April 24th – Partnership with other volunteer organizations is very important to our work. The MPF and Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists work together to identify areas of the greenspace to plant milkweed on May 1st. The tools from the grant will help us accomplish our milkweed planting event on May 1st.
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.
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.
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.
Sample of name application on tool handle
Tools purchased with MCDC Grant Funds
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.
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.
