Plano
Plano, Texas has a rapidly growing population and a lot to offer its residents. The city?s economy is thriving and the city government is interested in forming successful partnerships with local businesses. There are a number of large corporations calling Plano home, including JC Penny, EDS, Frito-Lay, Alcatel, and Dr. Pepper. Plano has internationally-recognized Police and Fire Departments, as well as an abundance of open space and parkland, award-winning schools, and easy access to regional airports. CNN Money chose Plano as its top place to live in the Western United States in 2004. It is the only city in Texas with a ?AAA? Bond Rating from three of the country?s top bond rating companies.
Plano Culture
The Municipal Art Galleries of Plano encourage the arts and provide a venue for artists in the city. The galleries accept children?s and student?s art, and the exhibits last for one month. Plano has an impressive Courtyard Theater in its Haggard Park Historic District, and the Cox Gymnasium, started as a 1938 Works Progress Administration project, is a good example of the city?s cultural heritage. The city has an organization called Gotta Dance, which offers classes for children of all ages in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance techniques. There are a number of festivals and other events that take place every year in Plano, including Arbor Day, the Big Tex Cat Show, the Fall Home and Garden Show, Picnic in the Park Concert Series, and the Very Special Arts Festival.
Plano Sports and Leisure
Plano has a wide variety of sports facilities to offer its residents, including fields, ice, and courses. They host many amateur and non-traditional sporting events with the help of their well-developed sports support infrastructure. There?s the Dallas Cowboys Football & Texas Stadium, which offers tours and behind-the-scenes views of a popular NFL team. There?s Dallas Mavericks basketball at the American Airlines Center. Pizza Hut Park is a 20,000-seat soccer stadium for area soccer fans. Roughriders Baseball, Dallas Stars Hockey, and Dallas Sidekicks Soccer all add up to plenty of spectator sports opportunities. The Texas Motor Speedway and the Mesquite Championship Rodeo and Exhibit Hall offer other recreational activities for residents.
Plano Outdoors
The city has six recreation centers and many golf courses, such as Chase Oaks, Los Rios, and Pecan Hollow. Chase Oaks ranks in the top 100 courses in the country and has a driving range, pro shop, and restaurant. Los Rios is a semi-private course and is open to the public during non-peak times. Pecan Hollow is an 18-hole, par 72 course nestled in groves of pecan and oak trees. Plano has two area lakes that provide residents with a variety of water-based activities. The city also has an extensive network of greenbelts and parks within the city that include over 40 miles of recreational trails.
Plano at Night
There are many things to do in Plano when the sun goes down. One example is the Courtyard Theatre, a popular venue for many types of performing arts. The theatre is located in a renovated historic downtown building, and it supports entertainment such as national art exhibits, vocal performances, and theatre companies. For those looking for something a little louder, there?s Plano?s nightlife scene. A great example of this is Plano?s Love and War in Texas, an epic restaurant that promotes Texas food and heritage.
