McKinney: Collin County has tabled recommended park grant awards amid unrelated negotiations; city to reapply and seeks $8 million from MCDC

Amy Kinkade, McKinney director of parks and recreation, told the City Council on May 20 that two Collin County Parks and Open Space grant applications the city submitted last year — a $300,000 request for the Cottonwood Creek Trail connection and a $500,000 request for the Gray Branch Trail — were recommended by the county parks foundation advisory board but were tabled by the Collin County commissioners.

Trevor Minnier, assistant city manager, told council the grants have been held while county officials pursue broader negotiations that are not park‑specific, specifically an animal services agreement extension and an emergency service district (ESD) matter. Minnier said the city has offered language for an extension of the animal services agreement and is awaiting county review; staff have also filed the FY26 grant application on the county administrators’ instruction.

Why it matters: Kinkade and several council members warned that the hold delays projects — including a trail under U.S. 380 that council members said is a safety priority — and can increase costs. Council members and staff described the hold as leverage by certain county officials tying parks funding to progress on other county matters; council members expressed frustration and asked staff to pursue resolution.

Kinkade also presented an overview of parks funding sources and priorities, including past MCDC (McKinney Community Development Corporation) contributions to facilities such as the Apex Center and ongoing capital needs. She said the department will request $8 million from MCDC for FY26 to support trail accessibility, wayfinding and several park renovations, including additional funding for Old Settlers Park. She noted a multi‑year playground replacement cycle of about 15 years and said staff estimate a funding gap of roughly $100 million over the next 8–9 years to deliver master‑plan projects without additional funding sources.

Staff said parkland dedication fees are restricted by zone and that roughly $1.5 million has been paid into the new fee zones since December 2024. Kinkade reviewed bond, grant and MCDC resources the city has used for land acquisition, playgrounds, park renovations and recreation facilities and said some projects were delayed by environmental and historic‑review processes.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to press county administrators for release of FY25 grant funds, reapply in the next cycle for FY26 funding, and continue work on the city’s trail and park master plans while seeking MCDC support and possible future bond measures to close the funding gap.