George McKenna Park

George McKenna (L) and Denton Mayor Jack Bryson discussing improvements to

McKenna Park, August 26, 1956. Denton Record-Chronicle.

George E. McKenna (1869-1962)

George McKenna Park was created in 1952 thanks to a bequest to the City of Denton by former Denton County resident George McKenna in the amount of $8,000.00 for the improvement of the land located at the intersection of Thomas and Scripture Streets. The bequest stipulated that the park be named “George McKenna Park” and the money be used for maintenance and improvement of the Park for at least 50 years.

The location of the park had been known as Pruitt Hill and was purchased from J.A. Pruitt by Mayor Mark Hannah in 1950 on behalf of the City for the building of a water tower. While driving around Denton, McKenna noticed the vacant lot around where the future tower was to be built and thought that it would make a fine location for a park, with its views to the west and with there being no other park in that part of town where development was rapidly occurring.

The original improvements included twenty picnic tables, two swing sets, merry-go-rounds, barbeque pits, two restrooms, water fountains and landscaping. Over the years, modernization of the facilities included tennis courts, updated playground equipment and parking facilities. In 1975, a basketball court was added.

Sketch of McKenna Park Water Tower by Pittsburgh Des Moines

Steel Co., 1950. Water Utilities Records, Denton Municipal Archives,

Denton Public Library.

Sharing the grounds of the park is the aforementioned 2-million-gallon water tank built in the early 1950s to help with water distribution for the west side of Denton. Over the years the tank has been painted various color schemes including green and white for NTSU (UNT) and the City of Denton logo.

McKenna was born in Missouri in 1869 and resided for a time in Davenport’s Mill between Argyle and Roanoke when his parents moved to Denton County in 1872. He never lived in Denton, but he had visited often and liked the town.

At the time of the donation he was a living in a hotel in Ft. Worth. A retired engineer and real estate dealer, he worked with Texas Brewing Company, Southland Ice Company and spent 30 years with King Candy Company. He was preceded in death by wife Anna Sieck McKenna in 1951.

Upon Mr. Mckenna’s death in 1962, a trust fund of $32,500.00 was given to the City for the maintenance, developing, and improving of the Park. Over the years, the Park has hosted Parks and Recreation Department programs and everything from Easter Egg Hunts, to school Field Days, to Live Action Role Play groups.