McKinney Falls HOA Park

The HOA had a pleasant surprise on its hands: the acquisition of three acres of undeveloped land at the top of Ranchito Drive, tucked between the neighborhood and McKinney Falls State Park. The parcel had a gently sloping ranchland character, emblematic of the blackland prairie and edwards plateau eco-regions that the site straddles. The HOA board brought in Plantiquity to answer a question: what should this place become?

Before putting pen to paper, we listened. We hosted an in-person engagement event at the existing community park, which included sticker dot voting, a group visioning and drawing exercise, and a site walk through the property itself. Yard signs with QR codes pointed residents to an online survey, which drew 90+ responses from homeowners and renters alike. The message was consistent: residents wanted an enhanced version of a greenbelt. Walking trails topped the list, followed closely by dog amenities and shade. Neighbors also asked us to save the trees, keep it quiet, and, above all, preserve the roundabout so the trash trucks could still turn around.

The resulting concept plan is phased so the HOA can start building right away with funds it already has. Phase I threads a network of crushed limestone trails through the existing tree canopy. A dog park in the lower meadow preserves mature trees for shade, plus a “trailhead” with a pet-friendly water fountain and community message board. Phase II adds a pickleball court, community garden, gathering plaza, and touches of fun, such as a tree swing and disc golf baskets.