Although this isn't a real long trail, It's so nice to have all of the beautiful big trees to…read moreprovide shade and be able to take my little fur babies on a nice walk. It was clean and well kept and a really relaxing walk.

One thing is for sure, we have an abundance of improved recreational trails in North Texas. It's…read morereally hard to use them this time of year though. 100 degrees and high humidity. But,it will still be here in fall and it's lovely. Feels more like deep woods in another part of the country. Stumbled on it by accident and didn't know it was here.

Hidden gem that is perfect to cool off on a hot day. Great for kids of all ages. A little difficult…read moreto navigate after it rains and is very muddy, but still fun.

We didn't actually spend much time at the park, but it looked nice. Rather, we accessed the Taychas…read moreTrail through the park. In case you're wondering about which way to go on the trail, because it goes both north and south from the park, please please go north. We didn't know any better and decided to go south, figuring we'd go around a half mile, get to the end, turnaround, and hit the rest. Well, the trail now connects to another trail on the south side of 121. If you're planning to walk to the south end and turn around, you've got a long way to go. After a mile going south, we turned around. The south stretch (most of which isn't actually Taychas) isn't shady and honestly isn't that great. However, the north stretch of Taychas trail from the park was very nice. Much more shade and available trash cans (for throwing away dog poop bags you carried along your southern journey). Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn't get to see the northern end, but we will...next time when we decide to go north instead of south!

Beautiful and special green space smack dab in the middle of civilization. Day Spring is one of…read morethose places that's more than a park. Location, layout, preservation of existing trees etc all played into the 1+1=3 synchronicity of this place. If you haven't been,shift into low gear and ... Go!

Beautiful walking trails. So perfect for a walk with good company!! There are many scenic overlooks…read morewith splendid fall colors. The path connects with many playground areas for kids (or children at heart). The rocket ship playground was a personal favorite. This is a gem I'm happy to have uncovered.

If you find yourself in the Plano/Carrollton area and need a break from the concrete jungle, Arbor…read moreHills Nature Preserve is an absolute must. My husband and I came here for a weekend trek, and it's easily one of the best outdoor spots in North Texas. What I love most is the versatility. Whether you're looking for a smooth, paved stroll or want to get your boots a little dusty on the dirt hiking trails, they've got you covered. It's a great mix of elevation and flat stretches. It's a great spot for everyone. Pets are welcome (on leashes!), and there is a fantastic playground near the parking lot--perfect for kiddos who still have energy to burn after a hike. You'll see a beautiful variety of plants and likely some local wildlife. Just a heads-up: they do have warning signs posted for snakes and poison ivy, so definitely keep an eye on your surroundings while you explore. The parking lot is huge, but this place is popular! We arrived around 1:00 PM and it was nearly at capacity. We were lucky to snag a stall, but I'd definitely recommend arriving earlier in the morning if you want to avoid the parking hunt.

Arbor Hills is a place near and dear to my heart. This is one of the best places to get away from…read morethe crowded areas and just enjoy nature. The entrance area is always crowded so people don't get to see how amazing this place is. It's incredible because once you go off trail, you can see for miles to around and the sunset views are phenomenal. There are plenty of shortcuts around this area if you just want to do a quick loop to the observation tower and back to the main entrance. I took my old dog out here years ago and went off trail to isolated areas. I hope other dog owners get to see how happy she is and how much joy dogs get from being in this place. It's fairly common to see people taking family photos here but again, I truly recommend walking in off trail areas for 10 minutes to get spectacular photos.

The great place to go walking and it's been in our community for a long time. It's good for all…read moreages and safe and nice walk with your friends or family or just date night. Walk is always great.

Great urban getaway amid the hustle and bustle that is McKinney. Only 20 years ago McKinney was a…read moresleepy little north Texas town that had seen it's better day. However, having always had something special going for it,the north Texas growth has breathed new life into this 10 square mile area formerly " historic" McKinney. This little lake created by forward thinking city planners is more and more a community gathering point. Just to the west is a full blown Frisbee golf course, hiking/biking trails and more. I just discovered a new addition today. A lighted walk,with music,to enjoy after dark I'll be back.

Sometimes a quick reset is just under your nose. Thousands of people drive by here everyday having…read moreno idea a little " back to nature" 30 minute side trip is theirs for the asking. My jaunt around Bethany lakes this morning included a couple of great surprises. As I skirted the trail beside the lake,I startled a Blue Heron in the top of a tree. An older bird with a huge wingspan. Then,closer to the lake a surprise nesting duck and freshly laid egg. Spring here is perfect but the only way to see it is to... Go!

Absolutely beautiful area. A park where you can lose yourself in peace and quiet. Area is clean…read moreand lot of nice homes nearby. Almost kinda jealous of the residents.

Multi-functional park for literally EVERYONE!…read more Fitness Enthusiasts: There are softball fields and a cricket pitch. There is a built in exercise station. I see cross-fit groups out here all the time. There is a huge running/walking/biking loop around the entire park and connecting to other routes. I think also some kids soccer groups also play here. Families: there is a very large playground with benches and shade! It's top notch and well maintained. Tweens/teens- there are benches and sick places to hang. You can even bring hammocks. There is plentiful parking. Picnic tables. Families often come out on nights with solar events and their telescopes. To be fair it is super well lit so it may not be the best place for star gazing, but you get many people to interact with. Plus let me add for Pokémon Go players- three gyms and 6 Pokéstops so this makes for excellent playing.

Nice little park, have to watch the edges because it's a very heavily wooded area !…read more It's in a very nice area though