In a joint project the city of Frisco, McKinney Parks and Recreation Department and Frisco ISD are constructing a bridge and trail area leading to Mooneyham Elementary School.

In 2012, FISD withdrew busing privileges for about 150 students attending Mooneyham Elementary School when the completion of nearby streets made their travel distance less than two miles.

FISD allows busing only to students whose travel distance to school exceeds 2 miles. Students from Frisco and McKinney attend the FISD school.

When those busing privileges were eliminated, it caused an issue with some students cutting across a drainage ditch area along a McKinney park to reach the school instead of following the available sidewalks, said Richard Wilkinson, FISD deputy superintendent of business services.

Since then, parents from both cities have requested a safer option. Wilkinson said Frisco, McKinney and the school district received complaints and criticism for not coming up with a productive solution.

Though Wilkinson said there is a safer route by using the available sidewalks, the students were going to take the shortcut anyway. So the district met with the cities and nearby Willow Bay Homeowners Association to discuss possible solutions.

“We agreed that if a sidewalk and bridge occurred, it would provide a better, shorter and safer route for our kids; and so we all agreed to participate,” Wilkinson said.

The city of Frisco has completed its portion of the project, which included sidewalks and connected trails.

The McKinney Parks and Recreation Department is undertaking construction of the bridge, which is being manufactured off site. The department is also constructing additional safety railing and fencing at the bridge entries. McKinney is expected to finish its portion within three months.

Rhoda Savage, director of the McKinney Parks and Recreation Department, said the city of McKinney became involved in the project because it involved McKinney students who attend an FISD school and because the situation involved a McKinney park.

Savage said the project was an opportunity to work with other governmental entities.

“I love the idea of partnerships with other governmental agencies,” she said. “We all are here to serve the people, and the more we work together, the better service we will provide.”

FISD is not involved in any construction work but is serving as a facilitator and has a legal role in the project.

FISD split the costs with both cities. Overall, the district spent $136,000 for the trail and bridge.