Every year, when fall rolls around, excited students start preparing for their Homecoming. The plans students usually focus on deal with clothes like getting a new dress, suit, shoes or other accessories. However, the most important detail that determines the tone of the night is the place students go with their friends to take photos. While not all friend groups consider it necessary to travel for photos, many enjoy having a picturesque backdrop.
To make it easier for your HoCo experience, I’ve compiled a list of the top four spots that Emerson students visit on their HoCo night: Adriatica Village, Watters Creek, Kathy Seei Park and Flippen Park. All of the sites listed are popular among Emerson students and others belonging to schools in the area too.
Adriatica Village
Located in McKinney, Adriatica Village is a 45-acre Croatian inspired development situated by a large reservoir. The site is popular not only to students but also locals with the available services, restaurants, venues and professional establishments. A few examples of these establishments would be the pizzeria Cavalli and the Stonewater Salon. However, the true winning aspect is European-inspired scenery that makes it perfect for photos. Every fall it’s full of students, as well as eager parents, taking photos along the stone roads or near the sparkling reservoir. The popularity is well deserved, and it’s a beautiful spot nearby for anybody unsure where to take their photos.
Watters Creek
In Allen, Watters Creek spans 52 acres with resort-style shopping, entertainment, restaurants and landscaping that is only emphasized by natural features such as its green village and running creek. Those same features are what makes it an appealing backdrop for HoCo photos with students usually posing near them. It also has convenient dinner spots like Cheesecake Factory, Brio Italian Grille and Grimaldi’s located within its shopping area.
Kathy Seei Park
Compared to the previous options, Kathy Seei Park is significantly smaller with only 8-acres of land but is equally as charming. The park contains an art installation “Cattle Drive” by Anita Pauwels that depicts the historic cattle drive along the Shawnee Trail with large bronze sculptures. Beyond the bronze there are natural sights with a small pond and running brook. People can also enjoy the amphitheater, trails and benches within the park. For HoCo, the most popular spot students pose by for photos is the pond. This was where I took photos last year and I definitely recommend it!
The bronze sculpture installation in the park “Cattle Drive” (Visit Frisco website).
Flippen Park
Flippen Park is another great setting for photos situated in the town of Highland Park, a small but lovely neighborhood space that features a gazebo, fountain and flowers along with other natural aspects. However, this spot is a further drive compared to the others being about 31 minutes, and since it’s surrounded by housing the closest dining options are around 15 minutes away. Regardless, the sight is still worth it and is even popular for professional photo ops!
Overall, be sure to plan your picture spot according to the preferences you have as well as your friend group. Take the mentioned places into consideration in order to capture the once-a-year night of fun!
