Greenspace/Parks in Allen?? (Plano, Richardson: neighborhoods, top schools, live in)

[miz77]

Are there any family friendly parks, ponds, etc in Allen? Do the neighborhoods have interconnecting sidewalks that actually go somewhere? I'm quite familiar with Richardson's Prairie Creek area with the park and all the connecting sidewalks. Any chance of anything close to that in Allen, or easy access to the parks/ponds if the sidewalks don't go that far? Thanks again!!

[BiGeek]

All Collin County towns have Parks, Nature Reserves, walking trails so you don't need to worry about that. Allen is no exception, you'll get all that but not all neighborhoods were created identically so it depends on where in Allen you buy.

[miz77]

I'm hearing some negative reviews on Lovejoy? I will need a good elementary and middle school...any suggestions on schools and neighborhoods? Is East Allen really that bad, especially the schools? Are there bullying/discipline problems in the schools? When I attended Plano schools, there were drug problems, suicides, etc, is this an issue in Allen? Is there any diversity in Allen? West Allen seems like it may be out of our price range of $250,000 - $325,0000. Are there more walking trails/parks on one side of the city than the other? Thanks for responding!!

[ChristieP]

The drug problems and suicides in Plano ISD schools were back in the 1980s-early 1990s. (We are about the same age!) A lot has changed since then, and those issues no longer exist.

[GripeWater]

Originally Posted by miz77

I'm hearing some negative reviews on Lovejoy? I will need a good elementary and middle school...any suggestions on schools and neighborhoods? Is East Allen really that bad, especially the schools? Are there bullying/discipline problems in the schools? When I attended Plano schools, there were drug problems, suicides, etc, is this an issue in Allen? Is there any diversity in Allen? West Allen seems like it may be out of our price range of $250,000 - $325,0000. Are there more walking trails/parks on one side of the city than the other? Thanks for responding!!

Plano schools had a bad episode decades ago with uber rich kids but that was nipped in the bud. Since decades PISD's discipline, sports, academics, extra curriculars and top of the chart performance are used as examples, it seems that you've been gone for long. Do some research, Allen schools are ok but your kid would be much better off in East Plano schools compared to East Allen. Love joy is trying but its a new and small district without enough experience, well oiled system or pool of academically gifted children to raise the bar to same standard as the top schools. You may also want to look into NE Richardson(PISD) in 75082.

[miz77]

What is the gifted program like in elementary and middle PISD like now a days? How it works where I am, there are no programs for kids who are gifted in math.....so if they can't draw well and fail their "creativity" test, they don't make it into the program. Also, I was reading posts about police in Allen being over zealous....any truth to that? So the snob/materialism factor is less in Plano now as well? I am thinking west Plano over east....and I heard there are now 3 Plano high schools, are any better than the other, not just on paper, but based on experiences?

[DitsyD]

Originally Posted by miz77

What is the gifted program like in elementary and middle PISD like now a days? How it works where I am, there are no programs for kids who are gifted in math.....so if they can't draw well and fail their "creativity" test, they don't make it into the program. Also, I was reading posts about police in Allen being over zealous....any truth to that? So the snob/materialism factor is less in Plano now as well? I am thinking west Plano over east....and I heard there are now 3 Plano high schools, are any better than the other, not just on paper, but based on experiences?

There are three Senior High Schools (grades 11-12) in Plano. The statistics seem to rank the schools as:
1. Plano West
2. Plano
3. Plano East

Lately, I've heard much less about Plano West seceding as a city and a school district from the rest of the less desirable Plano. They may have gone underground though.


Gifted Education / PACE : Plano ISD
http://www.timelesswayfoundation.org...Math_Rocks.pdf

[miz77]

So is Plano West the same Plano West that existed before they built the 3rd school?

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by miz77

Are there any family friendly parks, ponds, etc in Allen? Do the neighborhoods have interconnecting sidewalks that actually go somewhere? I'm quite familiar with Richardson's Prairie Creek area with the park and all the connecting sidewalks. Any chance of anything close to that in Allen, or easy access to the parks/ponds if the sidewalks don't go that far? Thanks again!!

One of the greatest greenspaces in all of the DFW metro area (IMHO) is the Oak Point Nature reserve in East Plano. It is right at the Plano/Allen border so easy access from Allen. I live in McKinney and it is one of our favorite places to go take the dog on a walk.

[DitsyD]

Plano West IS the third senior high school.

There are six high schools (9-10 grades):
Plano West fed from Jasper & Shelton.
Plano fed from Clark & Vines.
Plano East fed from McMillen & Williams.