[1] http://www.friendsofmcwhorterpark.com

- History of McWhorter Elementary School

• Governor Price Daniel was the key speaker at the dedication Ceremony.
• McWhorter opened in April of 1960, students were transfered from Black and Central Elementary.
• McWhorter was named after Ferd A. McWhorter who served on the Mesquite School board for 14 years and long-time business man of Mesquite.
• 5- year -old Arthur Greenhaw was present and unveiled a picture of his Grandfather as it was dedicated to the school.

- Fun Facts:

• In 1960, McWhorter Elementary had two fishing ponds 100 yards behind it. The ponds were drained before the school opening because of safety hazards.
• McWhorter has a creek that runs behind it and a beautiful, but not often used, existing bike trail.
• The school used to have a beautiful school yard in the front of the school. If you walked around it four times, (like Mrs. Hanson liked us to do), it would make a mile. We used to have game days, tether ball, kickball, and many excellent recreational opportunities as children.
• The old school yard doesn’t exist anymore as it was replaced by a parking lot & a sidewalk to make room for the NEW McWhorter Elementary.

- Latest Information Regarding McWhorter Elementary School!

• In 2004, the old school was torn down and replaced by a 85,00 square state-of-the art elementary school.
• Poppy Airhart is the current principal.

UPdate as of MARCH 2, 2007

Parks and Recreation Department have been swarming Edgemont Park and our community park for the last couple of days. Thank you Parks and Recreation for caring about our community. We appreciate you and we all thank you. I talked to some of the kids out there and they told me that you have made them feel, “PROUD”, of their park.

Mesquite Parks and Recreation, you rock!

NEWS UPDATE AS OF February 27, 2007

I counted our swings at McWhorter School park on Sunday. Wasn’t hard, the total was four. I counted swings at Florence Black: 18 swings. Sad. McWhorter Park needs to be bulldozed down; in my opinion. The 681 elementary students needs for the park and recreation department to use all of that wide open space and build something for suitable for our community. The basketball court doesn’t have any lines painted on it. The volleyball court is a waste of space. We need two or three basketball courts. WE desperately need activities for girls.

Found out today, while visiting the City of Mesquite, is that McWhorter Gym is leased out to McWhorter Elementary. The McWhorter gym was constructed with Community Development Block Grant funds; though my community has yet to utilize this faciliity for what is was constructed for, a community center.

Parks and Recreation is in charge of all of our school park, including the

 

[1] http://www.friendsofmcwhorterpark.com

- History of McWhorter Park

McWhorter School Park is the largest school park in MESQUITE! WOW!

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All I know is that this area was originally owned by James Moore and Roy Jacobie.

• Recent News and Updates:

I started Friends of McWhorter savings account yesterday! YEA! All money will go to the McWhorter Park for preservation and upgrades! WE would like to see a trailhead with Edgemont Parks’ name on it!

[3] McWhorter Park Website!

• McWhorter Park (playground area) is managed by the Mesquite Independent School District.
• Jim Williams is the manager of operations of school parks. He and his parents are from Edgemont Park!
• His number is 972.882.5552
• It is important to note that during the school year and during school hours; the community is not allowed to use the McWhorter Park facilities during the day. The community is allowed, however, to use the park after school hours, holidays and during the summer.
• The bike trail, pavillion, and the open space south of the park are available for community members to use. The restriction is for the protection of the elementary students.
• Edgemont Park used to have a community park,but was eradicated, for some reason, and replaced with a parking lot. The name of the park was Mother Goose park. It had a Mother goose boot, see-saw, merry-go-round. It was used and enjoyed by many members of Edgemont Park.

more pictures of McWhorter Park can be found here:

[4] http://www.friendsofmcwhorterpark.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=89