The McKinney Parks and Recreation Department held a grand opening celebration June 15 for Phase II of Bonnie Wenk Park. Renovations to the 170-acre park include an all-abilities park, a skywalk, zipline and ropes courses, concrete hike and bike trails, two additional parking lots, five play pods and two multipurpose sports fields.
The all-abilities playground is designed for children of all ages, abilities and needs. This playground is a joint effort between the city and the Rotary clubs of McKinney. It was the biggest donation in District 5810 to date when the Rotary Clubs of McKinney collab to bring Bonnie Wenk park Phase II to life.
See below for speech made by Juli Smith, McKinney Sunrise Rotary
In the fall of 2014, the McKinney Sunrise Club Directors and members voted to focus on one signature project for the City of McKinney. We chose recreational facilities for children with special needs and as members began a “needs assessment”. It soon was obvious the scope of the project required both Rotary Clubs. By joining club efforts for this project, they now had a group of over 130 Rotarian men and women dedicated to this special program. The journey began unofficially in March 2015 when Larry and I met with the City and Parks Department and discovered the City was planning Bonnie Wenk Phase II and felt the inclusion of the first All-Abilities Playground in McKinney fit into phase II’s plans. This is where the saying that “Ignorance is Bliss” comes in…. the Rotary was committing to 4 years on the largest project either club had ever done!
In January 2016 the Rotary received a very important Resolution from the City of McKinney outlining the partnership plan: The Rotary Clubs would raise $530,000 for the playground design and expense of “specialized equipment and foundation” and the City of McKinney would construct the playground and surrounding infrastructure.
Beside the meetings, the Rotary Clubs had fundraising events with groups and made presentations for anyone who would listen, wrote grants, and spoke to businesses, churches, schools, dentists and doctors. Parent groups were contacted and inserts were included in the city’s water bills and our flag solicitation.
To McKinney Community Development Corporation, its board members and President, a huge THANK YOU. Your financial support, on both occasions, and advocacy throughout the fundraising process made this All-Abilities Playground a reality. You have invested in the future of many of our children’s futures! Rotary is forever in your debt for your far-sightedness.