The future park is considered an essential addition to meeting the recreational and greenspace needs of both Allen and Collin County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. Like many North Texas communities, Allen is experiencing a major influx of residents and business. Since 1997, Allen has grown from 32,000 residents to nearly 72,000. Projections anticipate Allen will continue to grow with an additional 24,000 new residents by 2010.

Heavy residential and commercial development is consuming much of Allen’s old farm and prairie land. Although the 52-acre farm’s bucolic charm remains largely intact, it’s surrounded by industrial and multi-family development. Today the site is one of a handful of remnant working farms in Allen that remain. The City identified the Molsen Farm property as a high priority acquisition in the City’s Open Space Master Plan 2000-2010. The park will be Allen’s link to the future Six Cities Regional Trail system, which will eventually connect Garland, Richardson, Plano, Allen, McKinney, and Frisco.