Dallas Developer Asked and Delivered on Trail Upgrades for McKinney Community

What would you say to an additional 25 miles of paths and trails in your new community? As more people find remote working possibilities, the answer would typically be: Sweet!

Dallas-based Oxland Advisors asked potential new residents of Painted Tree, a 3,400-home, 1,110-acre development that’s under construction in McKinney, what would be their most-desired feature in a new community.

In October, Oxland developer Tom Woliver told CandysDirt.com that his firm focuses on data research. Oxland commissioned the survey and found that 69 percent of potential homebuyers in the Dallas-Fort Worth market and 54 percent nationwide ranked walking trails as the most desired feature of a new community. The survey also found that 63 percent want lake, pond, and water features.

Oxland responded by updating its plans to include 25 miles of paths and trails and other amenities.

“We do a lot of data research, and before the pandemic, I think there was a trend in the fact of folks wanting something maybe a little more authentic and a little simpler,” Woliver said. “The pandemic accelerated that trend.”

To create a diverse mix of trail experiences, Oxland turned to Avid Trails, a builder of diverse trail experiences.

“Unique within North Texas, nine miles of dedicated nature trails will be built in Painted Tree providing authentic ‘in nature’ experiences and maximizing existing open space with connections to the lake,” Woliver said. “This approach will take our trail experience to the next level.”

Bryan Glasshagel, Zonda senior vice president, said his company’s data has determined that walking trails have been a trend for years, but “this past year likely accentuated it.

“With COVID-19, the perceptions of the size of our ‘backyard’ shrank significantly. Walking trails and connectivity to nature within a neighborhood provided a very desirable and needed outlet when travel wasn’t possible and social connectivity was limited.”

Developers plan an 11.5-acre open-air trailhead and outpost station that will serve as the main community gathering space, a 20-acre lake, and additional trailheads called Village and Lakeside. The first phase of Painted Tree will include several hundred homes with prices for the smallest townhouse likely to be around $300,000. The development’s opening date is set for early 2022.