The city of McKinney, Texas, is a northeastern community within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. A fast growing Texas city, McKinney is steeped in local history and culture unique to this are in the state. Families love McKinney’s small town feel, and the fact that big cities like Dallas are not far away provides residents with access to amenities not present in their own city.
An agricultural town from its beginnings in the mid 1800s, McKinney has experienced tremendous residential growth, especially in the mid 1900s. The city was still primarily agricultural then, but as nearby cities surpassed it in population, McKinney became a popular commuter town.
Residents of McKinney are proud of the many educational options available to them within the city. With numerous elementary and middle school choices, McKinney also has four high schools. A tremendous resource to its citizens, the Central Park Campus of Collin College is located inside the city limits of McKinney. Degrees available include bachelors, masters, and programs for higher learning in cooperation with other prominent universities in the state of Texas.
If you’re ever in McKinney, you have to put the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary on your list of things to see. Named after Bessie Heard, the visionary behind the museum, this place has a distinct purpose – to preserve the beauty and natural state of this area for generations to come. Now open for over fifty years, over one hundred thousand visitors take in the beauty of the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary every year. That’s a lot of tourism!
A few of the main attractions to see while you’re there at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary include the extensive network of nature trails, a butterfly house, the forested wildlife preserve areas, the prairie habitat, a bird-watching area, and the Pioneer Village. Heard’s Pioneer Village is a fun group of buildings, all built on a miniature scale, that depict the way old west settlements looked back in pioneer times. This is a fantastic place to bring the whole family!
Creating opportunities for a more active lifestyle for its residents, the Parks and Recreation Department of McKinney takes a proactive role in providing many options for outdoor fun. Sports facilities, aquatic centers, summer camps, and a wide variety of fitness classes are all available to citizens who want a healthy, happy life. A wide variety of parks and recreational facilities throughout the community are available, creating an atmosphere that is both family-friendly and pro-health.