Panther Creek Parkway Extension Begins Near Universal Kids Resort

Written by Joshua Posted December 19th, 2023

There isn’t much to report on Universal Kids Resort construction this week, but I did see significant progress on the Panther Creek Parkway expansion. Until the site goes vertical, these updates will only show incremental changes.

Crews have started pumping water from lower elevations into the blue and white tanks. I talked to someone smarter than me who said those tanks might filter contaminants from the water, but I haven’t been able to verify that.

Construction gallery

Hoses used to pump water out of low areas at Universal Kids Resort construction site in Frisco, Texas

Water tanks and pumps at Universal Kids Resort construction site in Frisco, Texas

I noticed a decent amount of excavation since my last visit, but those elevation changes don’t come across in these photos. The soil is mostly clay, so I can’t imagine it’s a fun job. I hate working with the stuff in my yard. It sticks to everything.

A water pump and heavy machinery at Universal Kids Resort construction site in Frisco, Texas

Heavy machinery at Universal Kids Resort construction site in Frisco, Texas

Excavation and heavy machinery at Universal Kids Resort construction site in Frisco, Texas

Excavation and road work at Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas

It’s hard to see in that last photo, but the box culverts I photographed last week seem to have been buried. Box culverts (giant concrete, open-ended boxes) are used in drainage.

Map showing Frisco, Texas road construction

While the site is being excavated, Frisco is doing plenty of road work on the perimeter of the resort. Fields Parkway and Panther Creek Parkway extensions will cost Frisco taxpayers over $50 million.

Road construction surrounding Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas — Crews work on Fields Parkway construction

Excavators and reinforced concrete pipes at Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas — Fields Parkway construction

Panther Creek Parkway extension near Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas — Panther Creek Parkway construction

Front-end loader at Universal Kids Resort construction site in Frisco, Texas

Water truck at Universal Kids Resort construction site in Frisco, Texas

This water truck was leaking all weekend. The clay was saturated so the water pooled in the tire ruts. This is what North Texas soil is all about. It just doesn’t want to drain.

Neighborhood privacy wall going up near Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas

The privacy wall being built around the neighborhood to the south of the park showed the most visible progress. Landscaping crews installed stone and several brick panels. I imagine this work will be completed fairly soon, which should make homeowners in that neighborhood happy. Many have voiced their displeasure at having to live so close to a theme park. Universal is paying for the wall.

Stones needed for neighborhood privacy wall going up near Universal Kids Resort

I took a walk around Universal Kids Resort today. They moved massive amounts of dirt this week. Separate crews made a lot of progress on the Panther Creek Parkway extension. pic.twitter.com/JjNEhTbl3t
— Diservations (@diservations) December 17, 2023