McKinney City Council members greenlit applying to Collin County Parks and Open Spaces Project Funding Assistance Program during a June 17 meeting. Applications are due to Collin County on July 1 and an award announcement is expected in October.
In a nutshell
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is requesting up to $300,000 for the project, according to a city document. Two new trail sections are planned at the north and south ends of Rowlett Creek Park which will connect it to the city’s overall trail system.
Both trail sections are now possible due to land acquisitions through parkland dedication from adjacent developments and will be located on city park properties, according to the document.
The trails will be 12-feet wide and constructed with concrete. The project scope also includes a pedestrian bridge, site furnishings and renovations to Rowlett Creek Park’s playground and pavilion.
The background
The trail extension project is listed as a catalyst project in the department’s 2023 Trails Master Plan. The north trail extension is expected to run three quarters of a mile further north and the south trail extension will run about 350 feet to link with existing trails along Settlement Way, according to the plan.
Also on the agenda
Council members also authorized city staff to pursue a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Program, according to a city document. If awarded, the grant would fund three initiatives expected to cost $600,000 in total:
- A safety analytics pilot program that will monitor up to 15 intersections in McKinney - $540,000
- Two citywide events to promote bicycle and roundabout safety - $35,000
- An AI technology pilot program that will use AI machine learning to support the city’s pavement marking maintenance program - $25,000
