City of Allen
- landscape architecture
- Allen, Texas
Project Scope
Approximately 90 acres
Construction Type
Master Planning
Project Delivery Method
Design - Bid - Build
Project Components
connect the site to the existing Rowlett Creek Trail System, preserve the native Pecan tree grove, riparian forest area, tree Allee entry drive, and 2 existing ponds
later incorporate an educational facility, maintenance facility, City Forestry Department tree farm, community garden, and space for public and private events, farmers markets, and day camping opportunities for local scout groups
Molsen Farm almost vanished from commercial and residential development like many other farms once surrounding the City of Allen, Texas, and the greater DFW area. In 2006, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the City of Allen acquired 56 acres and designated the site as a public heritage farm park.
For the past 16 years, the City of Allen has held multiple public meetings and master plans for the original 56 acres. In 2016, the city acquired an additional 16 acres. Previously planned efforts did not include the additional property acquired, so the city had even more land and opportunities than originally thought.
In 2021 the City of Allen hired Parkhill for master planning services. After multiple site visits, public meetings, and collaboration with team members and the City of Allen, the vision for Molsen Farm came to fruition. The Farm would not just be a public park for the City of Allen but a regional destination.
Initial goals were to connect the site to the existing Rowlett Creek Trail System, preserve the native Pecan tree grove, riparian forest area, tree Allee entry drive, and two existing ponds. In addition, Parkhill would later incorporate an educational facility, maintenance facility, City Forestry Department tree farm, community garden, space for public and private events, farmers markets, and day camping opportunities for local scout groups.
The design team decided to use four existing treelined pastures as outdoor rooms that would each accommodate various elements of the extensive site program and could be closed off if needed for private events or Forestry department use without shutting down the Farm to the public entirely. The four outdoor "rooms" include The Trailhead (South), Core (East), West Venue (West), and The North Room (North).
The project will consist of multiple construction phases. Phase 1 will begin at the site's southern portion by 2023, including the main entry, circular parking lot, and trailhead, which takes visitors through the restored Blackland prairie and preserved Pecan tree grove before connecting to the Rowlett Creek Trail System.
The excitement of the master plan has inspired the city to purchase the last 16-acre "room" of Molsen farm located at the corner of Ridgemont Drive and South Greenville Avenue. Conceptual ideas of a farm-to-table restaurant incubator development and city party barn are in the works.
Project Leadership:
- Spencer Freeman, RLA
- Blane Potts, ASLA
- Samantha Stec, ASLA
At Parkhill, We're Designing and Building for
Your Tomorrow
