SPI Insights

The city of McKinney parks system will benefit from several park construction and improvement projects set to begin in the fall and in early 2020.

Construction of Cottonwood Park renovations is expected to begin later this year. This project will include renovations and upgrades to park amenities currently on the site including a multi-use court, pavilion, parking, open play space, playground equipment, and a plaza with a water feature.

Design is in progress for an update to the Gray Branch Park Master Plan. The 212-acre park south of U.S. 380 will include sports fields, a recreation center, trails, pavilions, concessions, parking, maintenance facilities, and playgrounds.

Starting this fall, work will begin on the Finch Park project based upon the city’s approved 2010 Master Plan. The first round of construction will include a new hike and bike trail connection, updated basketball, tennis and pickle ball courts, a new pavilion, two new pedestrian bridges, and additional parking. The second phase of construction will install new playground pods and a new splash pad. An end date for the project has not been determined.

Another park project in design is Prestwyck Neighborhood Park, which will be near the intersection of University Drive and Coit Road within the Prestwyck subdivision. Amenities will feature a splash pad, multi-use sport court, swings, interactive playground equipment, pavilion, and trails. Construction is expected to begin early spring 2020.

A McKinney councilmember and the city’s parks and recreation director both said they would like to see larger sites purchased or combined to create space on the order of 30 to 50 acres to offer more creative services than is possible at smaller 10-acre parks.