Grand Park
During an April 4 meeting, Frisco City Council approved a four-month contract with global design company Ideo to design a vision for the city’s Grand Park project.
The $394,000 contract dictates four phases in which the company will define the vision for Grand Park and offer advisory services on the project, according to city council documents. Those phases include:
- Research and prototype;
- Synthesize and design;
- Refine and communicate; and
- Advise and implement.
During the research and prototype phase, Ideo will build on existing research and input while holding one-on-one conversations with stakeholders. In the synthesize and design phase, the company will share research themes and align on directions for the vision for Grand Park. The company will also develop and receive feedback on concepts for the park during this phase.
During the refine and communicate phase, Ideo will refine the vision and visual direction for Grand Park. In the advise and implement phase, Ideo will participate in weekly advisory meetings to hand off the designs to Frisco officials while supporting next steps for the concepts.
The action comes months after Frisco debuted Big Bluestem Trail in November, the first feature to open in the 275-acre park. It signals a step toward achieving one of City Council’s top priorities in 2023: master planning of Grand Park.
The contract is funded by the city’s capital projects fund, according to city council documents.
Kaleidoscope Park
Construction of Kaleidoscope Park is set to enter its next phase in May after site preparation is completed.
Site preparation, which is expected to finish by the end of April, ensured that the site is level while other components are laid out and made ready for construction, said Scott Stewart, executive director of the Kaleidoscope Park Foundation.
In May, construction crews will start the drilling and installation of pier foundations in the children’s play area, Stewart said. Pier foundations are made up of long concrete beams that go underground and offer foundational support.
Over the next year, people will begin to see the park take shape.
“We’re moving into the phase of construction where things will start to look a little bit more park-like,” Stewart said.
The park was initially slated for a late 2023 opening but that has been pushed into early 2024, Stewart said.
“It took us a little bit longer to finish some design elements of the park and just working with our contractors and so forth,” he said. “The late 2023 date was too aggressive.”
Kaleidoscope Park is the result of a public-private partnership between the city of Frisco and Hall Group and is among several projects that comprise a $7 billion plan to redevelop the Hall Park office district over the next 20 years.
Communities Foundation of Texas announced a new name and park foundation in September for the upcoming 5.7-acre park, located within the Hall Park office district in Frisco. The park will feature a children’s play area, a dog park, gardens, technology terraces and more. Free programming such as weekly films and concerts, fitness and well-being activities, and performances will be available year-round once completed.
