What a whirlwind of a year! From brand-new parks and buzzing restaurants to a flood of thrilling announcements about what’s on the horizon, North Texas has been brimming with energy and excitement throughout 2024.
Here’s a look back at the top stories you, our readers, read the most — stories that kept you plugged into everything shaping our vibrant community.
1. Another New Cold Front Headed To North Texas
January 2024 started off cold — really cold. An arctic blast hit North Texas on Jan. 18, 2024. The National Weather Service forecast expected temperatures to drop to the 20s with wind chill values in the single digits to low teens. If that wasn’t bad enough, rain storms showed North Texas, cooling the region even more.
2. Beach-Front Resort Opening An Hour From North Texas
There’s truly nothing like vacationing at the beach. Soon, a beach getaway will be just a quick drive from North Texas. Pointe Vista at Lake Texoma, a sprawling 2,700-acre mixed-use development and resort community, is taking shape along the scenic Texas-Oklahoma border.
3. The First Glow-In-The-Dark Park Is Coming To North Texas
North Texas boasts some of the best park systems in the state — and it’s not just our (biased) opinion, Local parks and recreation departments have consistently tuned in to the needs of our community, delivering fresh and exciting spaces for residents to enjoy. On Jan. 20, 2024, Joya at Oran Park officially opened as Texas’ first open-space glow-in-the-dark playground. By day, it’s a vibrant play area, but by night, it transforms with glowing pathways, LED-lit spin zones, and a glowing playground.
4. New $500 Million Development In North Texas Moves Toward Completion
A massive $500 million mixed-use development in North Texas is almost complete. The Station, developed by Dallas-based PMB Capital Investments, covers 134 acres along the President George Bush Turnpike in Sachse. The project features a 34-acre park, more than 1,000 residential units and a wide variety of retail and dining options.
5. Banana Ball World Tour Coming To Frisco, Texas
Yeah, 2024 was cool and all, but just you wait. On Sept, 5 and 6, 2025, the Banana Ball World Tour hits Riders Field, bringing the Party Animals face-to-face with the exciting new Texas Tailgaters. The Banana Ball World Tour combines the Savannah Bananas and other one-of-a-kind teams, merging fast-paced baseball action with high-energy entertainment that you definitely won't want to miss.
6. Second Potential Bomb Found At McKinney, Texas Cemetery
The year started off a bit scary after Collin County Sheriff's Office investigators responded to a report of a suspicious object at Scott Cemetery, located off County Road 161 in January — the second incident at the cemetery in just over a month. Law enforcement was on site for several hours that afternoon, but no nearby residents were evacuated. Fortunately, the suspicious object was safely removed, and no injuries were reported.
7. DFW? Now, It's DFFW, Says North Texas Realtor
Now this was controversial for many. In the past, "DFW" was a catch-all term, as surrounding cities hadn’t yet developed to the same extent. But that’s changed, and one local Realtor believes the term "DFW" is no longer accurate. According to Levi Lascsak, "DFFW" — Dallas, Frisco, Fort Worth — is a more fitting description of the area. Frisco, for example, has become a major hub and shows no signs of slowing down. The second "F" now serves as a broad reference for the surrounding cities, much like "DFW" did in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
8. 1,000-Acre Grand Park Vision Approved For Frisco, Texas
At the Frisco City Council meeting on Jan. 16, council members approved the vision statement for Grand Park, a sprawling 1,000-acre park stretching from the former Exide property to Lake Lewisville. Originally envisioned as a 350-acre space, the park has since expanded to include a vast network of trails. Whether you're looking to take a nature walk through the pristine Blackland prairie, play pickleball or tennis, kayak on multiple ponds, race in a 5K or 10K, explore various playgrounds or enjoy a picnic in the Botanic Garden, Grand Park will offer something for everyone. Construction is set to begin in 2025.
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