Howdy Frisco -
A new study just crowned the Circle K on El Dorado Parkway the luckiest single store in the entire country after it sold a $1 million winning ticket back in 2023. Frisco landed at #5 luckiest city in the whole US and #1 in Texas. So if you need me, I'll be "coincidentally" grabbing gas on El Dorado this week. Purely for research purposes.
Okay, onto the actual news. We've got a new mayor, a massive new park almost ready for your kids to destroy their shoes on, and a sandwich shop replacing our old go-to. Let's get into it.
🏛️ Frisco has a new mayor, and it's the first change in almost 20 years
Jeff Cheney's 18-year run at Frisco city hall officially ended, and Mark Hill was sworn in to take his place. If you're new here like I was in 2023, that's a bigger deal than it sounds. Cheney was mayor before some of our neighborhoods even existed.
The race wasn't close in the end. Hill beat Rod Vilhauer in a June 13 runoff with 58% of the vote, and his term runs through 2029.
He's pointed to managing growth without outpacing infrastructure as his big focus, which honestly is the correct answer for a city adding roundabouts, parks and Walmart renovations seemingly every week. We'll be watching.
🚵 A 122-acre park built for cyclists (and splash pad chaos) opens this fall
Northwest Community Park just got a new opening date of September, pushed back slightly from the original June target. And once you see what's in it, you'll understand why they didn't rush it.
We're talking 122 acres with:
A splash pad (my toddlers just perked up reading this over my shoulder)
Playgrounds with shade structures, because Texas summers are not a joke
Miles of hike and bike trails for every skill level, 88.9% of them rated easy
A prairie overlook observation deck
Enough space to host 5Ks without shutting down roads
This is Frisco's first park really built around cyclists, and honestly it sounds like a dream Saturday morning: girls on the splash pad, me pretending I'm still capable of the "advanced" bike trails, baby boy strapped in somewhere shaded watching all of us make bad decisions.
One thing city council flagged: some trail features (like gravity ramps on the overlook) will need posted skill-level signage, and the city's looking at cameras for safety. Smart move for a park this ambitious.
🥪 Potbelly is moving in, right after The Community Grill moved out
Bittersweet one here. The Community Grill on Main Street quietly closed its doors on July 5 after nine years of scratch-made comfort food and hosting local events. If you ever had a birthday party there or just grabbed a burger after a Little League game, take a moment.
But Frisco doesn't stay empty for long. Potbelly just confirmed a new location coming to Stonebrook Parkway and Teel Parkway later this year, bringing their toasty sandwiches, wraps and mac and cheese to the area.
My take as a vegetarian household: Potbelly's veggie sandwich options aren't bad, and Emily's already asked if this means easier lunch runs after preschool drop off. So yes. Yes it does.
📅 YOUR WEEK IN FRISCO
Friday, July 10
🐦 Bird Walk with Christian Walker - UNT Frisco, 7:30-8:30am. Guided birding walk with a Texas Ornithological Society expert, binoculars and checklist provided, free parking.
🎨 Texas in July Opening Reception - thegallery8680, 7-9pm. Meet local artists, all artwork for sale. Free.
🎬 Summer Movie Night: High School Musical 2 - PGA District, 8-9pm. Bring a blanket (no chairs), leashed pets welcome, restaurants open before/after.
Saturday, July 11
🥕 Frisco Rotary Farmers Market - Kaleidoscope Park, 9am-1pm. New vendors, live music, and a balloon artist.
♟️ Rook and Roll: Community Chess Club - Frisco Library, 2-3:30pm. All skill levels welcome, bring your own board if you have one.
⚽ Sensational Soccer - Frisco Heritage Museum, 10am-3pm. Family STEM activities, photo booth, and the Legends of Soccer exhibit.
⚽ Summer Saturdays: Quarterfinals - The Star District, all day. Watch World Cup quarterfinal action on the big screen at Tostitos Championship Plaza.
