The Last Word: Why McKinney’s Wilson Creek Trail Has Joined the National Trails System

“You can choose your adventure based upon your mood for the day.”

Michael Kowski
Director
McKinney Parks and Recreation Department
.…on the city’s Wilson Creek Trail being officially joined to the National Trails System, via the Dallas Morning News.

Following a recent designation by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, McKinney’s Wilson Creek Trail got put on the map—the map of trails in the prestigious National Trails System, that is.

Wilson Creek Trail joins a network of more than 1,300 existing national recreation trails in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico—and it’s the only trail in Texas to earn the designation this year.

The nearly 10-mile trail system connects McKinney’s Bonnie Wenk Park to Towne Lake Park, with access to playgrounds, a disc golf course, and an outdoor fitness court, as well as various local parks, community resources, and other local open spaces. It even features a nearly half-mile long dog park loop.

“Spending time on the McKinney trails network is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of our great city,” Kowski said in a statement. “We’re truly honored to receive this national designation and thankful to all our community partners, volunteers, and city staff who work every day to grow and enhance the Wilson Creek Trail.” 

McKinney residents see the city’s trails as a ‘quality of life’ priority

A recent McKinney citizen survey showed that more than 85% of residents said expanding and connecting the city’s hike and bike trail system was a priority in maintaining McKinney’s high quality of life, the city said.

“We believe that our trails network can serve as the great connector within our community,” Kowski added. “Residents and visitors alike will be happy to know that we will continue to focus our resources on expanding and improving this system throughout the community to unite people and places in unique ways.”

National Park Service Director Chuck Sams says that National Trail System attractions like the Wilson Creek Trail “are some of our country’s highest caliber trails and provide close-to-home recreation opportunities and the benefits of spending time outdoors.”

“They can be used by everyone and provide for the ever-increasing recreation needs of our growing population, especially in urban areas,” Sams added in a statement.

For more of who said what about all things North Texas, check out Every Last Word.

Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.

Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.

One quick signup, and you’re done.

R E A D   N E X T

  • Dallas' Lyda Hill has been named one of five recipients of the 2022 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. She shares the philanthropic spotlight with four other "forces for positive change," including country music legend Dolly Parton. An early donor of the research that led to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Hill believes that "science is the answer"—and has chosen to donate the entirety of her estate to philanthropy and scientific research. 

  • Things to Do for innovators in Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Innovates Weekly Calendar

    North Texas has plenty to see, hear, and watch. Here are our editors' picks. Plus, you'll find more selections to "save the date."

  • The new two-story lab and office building will offer "the first institutional-quality space" in the DFW market, according to marketing materials.

  • Slated to be built in Fort Worth's Historic Southside neighborhood, the planned $70 million museum will get the city funding once the balance for the project has been raised. Designed by the New York office of Denmark-based Bjarke Ingels Group, the building will house the museum on its second level, with a business incubator, restaurant, 250-seat amphitheater, and storefronts at ground level. “Literally and figuratively, it was designed to be a beacon of light in an area that has been dark for a very long time,” says Jarred Howard, principal of the project's developer.

  • Last Thursday, Water Cooler tenant leadership teams and boards gathered together at Pegasus Park and were surprised with more than $200,000 in prizes to support the missions of their nonprofit organizations. Water Cooler is the community of nonprofit and social impact tenants at Pegasus Park in Dallas. Its members receive subsidized rent offering(s), access to philanthropic funds for furniture and infrastructure, and free or low-cost amenities and services designed to accelerate their respective missions, according to its website. Water Cooler at Pegasus Park is sponsored by Lyda Hill Philanthropies in partnership with J. Small Investments. Special guest speakers at the…