Frisco’s Northwest Community Park will open Sept. 19.

The details: Northwest Community Park was designed as a first-of-its-kind park geared toward cyclists. The park will include a splash pad, public art, playgrounds, shade structures, grills, restrooms, miles of hike-and-bike trails, along with an elevated prairie overlook observation deck.

The park was originally intended for sports fields and facilities, but officials previously said they had enough for current needs, and the topography of the area lent itself better to trails.

Catch up on the latest government news that came out of Frisco during the month of August. The roundup features Community Impact’s coverage of construction agreements for retail and and a new park, budget discussions and an update on the city's proposed animal shelter.

1. Frisco approves $4.7M in contract for Frisco on the Green park construction
The city of Frisco has approved nearly $4.68 million in contracts for the construction of Frisco on the Green. 

2. Frisco eyes 3.7% tax rate increase for fiscal year 2026-27
Frisco City Council approved the city's fiscal year 2026-27 maximum tax rate, which could potentially increase resident's tax bill by nearly two cents.

3. Frisco updates design, operating plans for proposed animal shelter
The city of Frisco is moving forward with discussion on updated plans for a new animal shelter.

4. Frisco City Council approves retail development near Bacchus Park
Frisco leaders approved a retail development near Bacchus Park Aug. 4.

Check out five upcoming and ongoing transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth, as previously reported by Community Impact.

1. Legacy Drive widening: Legacy Drive will be widened from Lebanon Road to Stonebrook Parkway in Frisco. Stonebrook Parkway will also be widened from Legacy Drive to 4th Army Drive as part of the project. The roadways will also be reconstructed along with the widening.
Update: The project is currently in the design phase. Construction is set to start later this year.

• Timeline: mid 2026-mid 2028
• Cost: $20 million
• Funding source: city of Frisco

2. East Virginia Street improvements: Reconstruction of East Virginia Street in McKinney will occur between Murray Street and Airport Drive. The project will include a new alignment and connection to Airport Drive and a new roundabout at the intersection of Virginia Street and Lively Hill Lane.
Update: Design work is 90% complete. Franchise utility coordination and right-of-way acquisitions are underway. The project is expected to bid in early 2027.

• Timeline: Early 2027-early 2029
• Cost: $15 million
• Funding source: city of McKinney

Three candidates are running to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture in the Nov. 3 election.

The details: Libertarian Austin R. Kelly, Republican Nate Sheets and Democrat Clayton Tucker are vying to become Texas' next commissioner of agriculture. The commissioner's duties include regulating agriculture, administering nutrition programs and providing rural economic development assistance.

How we got here: There is no incumbent in this race after Sheets beat sitting Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in the March Republican primary. Tucker ran uncontested in the March Democratic primary, while Kelly was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

The winner of the November midterm will be sworn in to succeed Miller in January.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30 in the midterm election, and Election Day is Nov. 3.