It’s great from an aesthetic perspective to have green space in a masterplanned community, but it’s important for many other reasons as well. Green spaces and parks encourage contact with the natural world, and they promote exercise and a healthy living lifestyle. They make our communities attractive and livable. But they can also have economic benefits. They help create a higher quality of life, which attracts tax-paying businesses and residents to the community, and have been shown to raise the property value and economic vitality of the surrounding area.
At Craig Ranch, more than 20 percent, or 440 of the 2,200 acres, are open space, parks, and recreation venues. That’s a higher ratio than the norm, but it is important to us and to the City of McKinney. With the 233-acre TPC golf course and eight parks, we’ve tried to raise the bar on integrating green space into our development.
The largest park in Craig Ranch is Rowlett Creek Park, 30 acres of trees, flowers and trails along the winding white-rock Rowlett Creek. But the one I am the most proud of is the Veterans Memorial Park, a tribute to the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedom. The park is located on a half-acre site in Van Tuyl Plaza.
When it opens on Nov. 11, the memorial will feature a Wall of Honor, inscribed with the names of the fallen from Collin County. An illuminated American flag will fly 24-hours a day over the wall. A fountain at the base of the flagpole will symbolically water Red Oak trees that represent each branch of the Armed Services, and a ribbon-like walkway will extend from one end to the other.
When complete, the adjacent Van Tuyl Plaza will feature a dancing fountain and provide a gathering place for festivals, weekend farmers markets, holiday events, or just meeting friends. The layout is very similar to the mall in Washington D.C., and will be a great place to hold parades, concerts and family picnics while still maintaining the honor, dignity and serenity such a memorial should have.
As the proud son of an Air Force Colonel, it is a project that is especially close to my heart. My father risked his life countless times on missions in Vietnam. I was about 10 years old at the time and, although I did not fully understand the significance of what my father was doing, I did comprehend both the seriousness of the undertaking and that he was fighting for my country’s freedom.
I hope you will all join us at Craig Ranch on Veteran’s Day this year—11-11-11—when the memorial opens, and we can celebrate our freedom and honor our servicemen and women with a symbol that is worthy of the sacrifices they make for our us every day.
David Craig is president and CEO of Craig International and the founder of Craig Ranch. Contact him at [email protected].
