Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2005

Collin County to dedicate Myers Park & Event Center

(McKinney, TX) –Collin County will officially dedicate and rename the 165-acre park most commonly identified as the Collin County Youth Park on January 14th during the Collin County Youth Show.

Myers Park & Event Center will be dedicated and named to honor the visionary couple who created the park with land donations. John and Winnie Myers’ endowment of 76 acres in three gifts beginning in the late 1960’s established the park and provided a permanent home for Collin County’s youth agriculture programs, exhibits and demonstrations. The facility has grown from the original donation to over 165 acres of rolling land. The park is a key venue for numerous events.

Located seven miles northwest of McKinney on County Road 166, just north of FM 1461 and US 380, the park amenities include:

• A 16,000-square-foot Showbarn and accompanying 194 Stall Barn, home of Texas’ finest livestock competitions, horse shows and dog agility events.
• A Reception Hall - a premier wedding facility overlooking a lake and tree covered grass, it is also an outstanding site for parties, meetings and retreats and the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
• The beautiful gazebo which overlooks the tree-lined lake and fountain. It is picture perfect for weddings!
• Group camping facilities, including hike-in primitive sites, fire pits and a covered pavilion.

The annual Collin County Youth Show highlights the hard work of the youth who reside in, or attend school in Collin County. Students must be at least eight years of age or in the 3rd grade and be a member of a FFA, Jr. FFA or 4-H Club in Collin County. Awards are given for the following categories:

The park dedication at the culmination of the County’s Youth Show, emphasizes the generosity and overwhelming value of the Myers’ donation. Hundreds of students representing 14 schools and/or youth programs will be present along with parents, sponsors, teachers and community supporters interested in bidding on the various projects. The sale proceeds are returned to the students for future educational endeavors. Represented are students from:

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