Parks and Open Spaces

In Collin County, for example, they promote the addition of new parks and open space resources and identify natural resources of the county for protection to maintain a balance between developed and open landscape. They also aim to preserve rare or unique ecosystems. In addition staff provides recommendations to maintain and operate county-owned facilities including programmed activities to protect and enhance the existing natural resources, encourage wise use of the facilities, and educate visitors and the significance of County resources.

Collin County has a farm museum, the Myers Park & Event Center, and an adventure camp in Westminster which is a place for hands-on study of natural sciences designed for students. Sister Grove Park is a 75-acre hike/bike trail between Princeton and Farmersville adjacent to Lake Lavon and Bratonia Park is a place for the radio-controlled airplane enthusiast east of Lucas adjacent to that lake. Trinity Trail is an equestrian and hiking trail with trailheads at Brockdale Park and East Fork Park adjacent to Lavon.

According to county officials up to the year 2008, $2.2 million will be made available for the development and improvements of parks and open space within the area.

The Myers Park & Event Center is located at 7117 CR 106 in McKinney and the phone number is 972-424-1460 #4792.

The Plano Parks & Recreation Department is known for their Wildflower Run conducted by the Plano Parks Foundation. The third annual event will be held at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve May 6th at 8 a.m. The department is also in the process of renovating Cheyenne Park. You can make rental reservations for recreation space at the Carpenter Park Recreation Center, Liberty Recreation Center, and Oak Point Center.

The City of Garland always holds an Earth Day Festival and this year’s is April 22nd. The city office is at 200 N. Fifth Street and may be reached at 972-205-2000.

The City of Richardson’s Parks and Recreation Department offers indoor and outdoor leisure and recreation opportunities to citizens and corporate residents year-round. Award-winning special events, festivals, and activities are presented by the department and on-going programs are offered year-round. The city has active and passive recreation opportunities at their 30 parks where you will find walks and trails, picnic areas, lakes, pavilions, playgrounds, open spaces, ball fields, tennis courts, and more.

As a special service to citizens the city staff mails a copy of “Recreation Today” to residents five times a year. The city office is located at 411 W. Arapaho Road, Room 208 and the phone number is 972-744-4300.

Approximately 80,000 people live in the city of Frisco and that number is expected to grow to 140,000 by 2012. The history of the area tells of a rich background from hearty soil and farmland. In Feb. 1902 the city was formed from rolling prairie land after the railroad gave birth to Frisco after 1841. The town has 19 park site spanning more than 550 acres. Frisco also has a fitness, community, and senior center as well as a community theater. The city office is at 6891 Main Street and may be reached at 972-335-5555.

Prior to settlement the Spring Creek area was a rolling grassland of wildflowers and drained by forest creeks. One day in 1980 Bobby Scott took a walk in the woods and into the past – Spring Creek Forest. Scientists found that not only was the forest type unique but so were the wildflowers. Visitors today continue to express awe at the forest’s natural resources. A preservation society was later formed for the area. For more information on the organization call 972-205-2750.