Dog Parks in McKinney TX | Why I'll Be Seeing YOU at a Dog Park Nearby in 2011!

I'll becoming MUCH more acquainted with the dog parks in and around McKinney TX in 2011 all because of THIS GUY...

Meet RANGER!

Santa brought the Daugherty Family a 12-week old British Creme Golden Retriever for Christmas this year! He's soft, cuddly and has TONS of energy (when not sleeping all day like a newborn).

Ranger is not our first dog. In fact, on my 29th birthday, I got THIS guy...

This is Senor Paco. We got this festive Chihuahua when he was just 6 weeks old. Right now he's 5 years old, and weighs just 6 pounds. He also HATES being walked on a leash and is not really sure what to think of his new "brother". Paco never required us taking him to a dog park.

Ranger, on the other hand, will surely enjoy the outdoor fun! We named him RANGER because as most Texas Baseball fans are aware, our Texas Rangers made the World Series for the FIRST TIME this past October. Ranger was born October 3 (also my son's birthday - he was thrilled!) and we decided it would be a neat way to remember the year of his birth.

In an effort to help out my fellow dog-loving McKinney neighbors, I have put together a list of local dog parks. Maybe I'll see you out there!

1. Canine Commons Dog Park - located in Allen at Hwy 75 and Stacy Rd. Look for it near the PetSmart parking lot. This one even has a smaller fenced area for the little breeds!

2. Jack Carter Park - look for this one along the Bluebonnet Trail in Plano! The address is 2800 Maumelle Drive. Like the Canine Commons, this 2-acre park also has a separate area for the little dogs. I've heard that during the summer there are "kiddie pools" that are put out!

3. Mockingbird Point Dog Park - 8000 Mockingbird Lane - located at the North Shore of White Rock Lake this one is GREAT for those "city" dogs. But I L.O.V.E. White Rock Lake and will make the trek downtown if I want a great long trail to run. During a few of my long runs there this summer I often smiled while passing this dog park. Very active...lots of fit people with their 4-legged pals.

Rumor has it that a Frisco Dog Park is in the works and should be rolling out soon. That will be great for dog lovers in Collin County. For McKinney citizens, Towne Lake Park is another popular place to walk your pooch. The lake offers a 1.2 mile loop and also has an adjacent nature trail by Wilson Creek.

Where are YOUR favorite Dog Parks?