Old City Hall Park
Rate this placeNearby: Sherrill Park Spohn Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Old City Hall Park is located in downtown McKinney, Texas and is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
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Summary
The park has a rich history as it was once the site of the city's first courthouse and jail. Today, it offers a wide variety of activities and attractions for all ages.
One of the main reasons to visit Old City Hall Park is its unique blend of history and modern amenities. Visitors can explore the old courthouse, which has been transformed into the McKinney Performing Arts Center, or take a stroll through the park's beautifully landscaped gardens.
Other points of interest include the park's signature fountain, which features a colorful light show at night, and the bronze statue of Collin McKinney, one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. There are also plenty of picnic tables, benches, and walking paths for visitors to enjoy.
Interesting facts about Old City Hall Park include its role in the Civil War, when it served as a recruiting station for the Confederate Army. The park was also used as a movie set for the film "Bonnie and Clyde" in 1967.
The best time of year to visit Old City Hall Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the gardens are in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of seasonal events and activities, such as concerts, festivals, and holiday celebrations.
Overall, Old City Hall Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting McKinney, Texas. With its rich history, beautiful gardens, and modern amenities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Sherrill Park
Spohn Park
Blucher Park
McCaughan Park
South Bluff Park