by admin | Jun 30, 2022 | News
Look at the roster of any professional sports team and it becomes evident that these elite players come from widely diverse backgrounds – economically, culturally, academically, and even in the size of their hometowns. This is especially true of Major League Baseball players.
Because of the smaller number of kids, the odds of a small town producing a professional ball player are not great. However, history has shown that many of the elite pitchers who took the mound in an MLB game came from smaller communities: Dizzy Dean (Spaulding, OK), Nolan Ryan (Alvin, TX), and Justin Verlander (Goochland, VA – population 679).
Having pitcher Taylor Hearn (Royse City, TX)as the 2022 opening day starter for the Texas Rangers is nothing short of a ringing endorsement for growing up in a small town! For the kids who live in Royse City and the master-planned community of Creekshaw Taylor Hearn is a VERY big deal. His story is a baseball parable, of sorts. It shows how growing up in a small community can be very much an advantage in a competitive world like baseball.
An All-American City
The city where Hearn grew up has grown some since he blew fastballs past opposing high school hitters. However, the city’s small-town charm (https://creekshaw.com/main-street-is-something-special-in-royse-city-texas/) and neighborly attitude have remained, and this is one of the reasons the developers of Creekshaw chose this city to build one of the most beautiful, amenity-rich communities in the Dallas Metroplex.
The kids in Royse City attend exemplary schools and have plenty of support from caring teachers and administrators. They enjoy a less-stressful “world” than more urban environments because this community is the epitome of “family friendly.” This gives them a firm foundation for success as an adult.
Speaking of success, Taylor Hearn is having a great life. However, it has not always been an “easy street” for this young man.
Dealing With the Ups and Downs of Professional Sports
The Texas Rangers pitcher could have followed the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and three uncles and become a professional cowboy, working the rodeo circuit. As a youngster, he participated in this rough-and-tumble sport, and folks who followed rodeos thought he might be a natural. Of course, this was before he learned to throw a baseball 90 miles an hour! That changed everything.
According to this article, after a brilliant high school career at Royse City, he was drafted after his senior year by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 22nd round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Rather than sign, he chose to attend San Jacinto College and hone his pitching skills. For the next two years, he was drafted each year by other MLB teams, but he chose to transfer to Oklahoma Baptist University and continued playing college ball. After one year at Oklahoma Baptist, he was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB draft and signed.
After spending time in the Washington and Pittsburgh organizations, Hearn was traded to his “hometown” team, The Texas Rangers, 2018. After time in the Rangers minor leagues system, he was called up to the big show in April 2019.
Everything looked sweet until his major league debut against Seattle. It lasted less than one inning. He allowed five runs, injured his left shoulder, and then later fractured his elbow during rehabilitation from this injury. This is when having a supporting family and small-town tenacity saved the career of Taylor Hearn.
Hearn fought his way back to the “big leagues.” In 2020, he went 0–0 with a 3.63 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 17 ⅓ innings for Texas, and with the Rangers in 2021, Hearn went 6–6 with a 4.66 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 114⅓ innings. In 2022, he was deemed the ace and got the opening day assignment.
Before his opening day outing, Fox 4 TV in Dallas interviewed Hearn and gave him a tip of the cap. “No matter how perfect or imperfect Taylor winds up pitching against the Colorado Rockies (opening day), Monday will be a victory for the family that’s stuck out those highs and lows – that’s been on the other end of Taylor’s 2 A.M. phone calls.”
“He says, ‘Mom, I don’t want to do this anymore,’” says Debra Hearn, Taylor’s mom. “I said, ‘Taylor, I’m not going to let you quit.
“In those moments, Taylor’s dad Robby tells him, ‘Taylor you’ve got to push through.’
“His sister, Robyn – born exactly four years to the day after Taylor – has seen her older brother learn to thrive in those tough times. That’s when I feel like Taylor prevails the best,” says Robyn. ‘When he’s in those low moments.’”
Your Kids Deserve to Grow Up Here
Not every child who grows up in the small town of Royse City is going to become a star athlete, scientist, or teacher who changes the lives of their students. However, having the confidence, support, and tenacity that is often found in a tight-knit community can be a foundation for success as an adult.
If you want to see what life in Royse City is like, come take a look at Creekshaw. The neighborhoods are full of kids, enjoying a quiet lifestyle and having fun. Who knows what kind of great things can come from this?
by admin | May 30, 2022 | News
There are no better memories for kids and their families than those from summer. In the master-planned community of Creekshaw in Royse City, the livin’ is indeed easy.
The amenities of this great new community are spectacular, making a “stay-cation” something that families can put at the top of their Fun-To-Do list. Whether you enjoy the aerobic workout of swimming laps, the skill of diving, lazy floating, or the irresistible silliness of splashing your kids, the massive pool at the Creekshaw Amenity Center is the perfect place to indulge in all these activities.
The walking and biking trails are also perfect for a leisurely stroll or ride. These scenic trails were designed for the gently rolling terrain of northeast Texas and they are extremely popular with all residents in Creekshaw. One of those trails passes by the community fishing pond where making that perfect cast can be a blast!
Other Great Summer Fun Near Creekshaw
The area around Royse City is a paradise for summer activities for kids. With a little planning, kids can join in the fun among a wide range of day camps that help them learn new skills, exercise, get some much-needed chill time, and meet many new friends.
Here are five camps to consider:
The YMCA Day Camp at W.R. Fort Elementary for ages 5-12
- Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Early drop-off or late pick-up are available for an additional fee.
- Operating the weeks of June 6 through August 4 (minus the week of July 4)
- 2 snacks per day provided
- Students should bring their own
- NUT FREE lunch and water bottle
- Free t-shirt
- RCISD will transport kids for swim time once per week at the Rockwall YMCA
- Weekly field trips provided
Stone River Junior Golf Camp
- Only 30 kids in each camp
- June 13 – 15 and July 11 – 13
- Boys and girls, 7 – 15 years old
- Instruction, golf games, snacks, and camp shirt
Capricorn Equestrian Center Summer Camp
- Ages 6 – 14
- Monday – Friday 9 am to 4 pm
- Week 1: May 30-June 3
- Week 2: June 6-10
- Week 3: June 13-17
- Week 4: June 20-24
- Week 5: June 27-July 1
- Week 6: July 11-15
- Week 7: July 18-22
- Week 8: July 25-29
- Week 9: August 1-5
- Week 10: August 8-12
Ninja Nation Summer Camp
- Ninja Nation Pre-Teen (9 – 12) Single Day Camp
- Ninja Nation Junior (5 – 8) Single Day Camp
- Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm
- Lunch provided
- Skills training
- Obstacle courses
- Constant activity
Acting Studio Rockwall Summer Camps
- Musical theater
- Acting
- Theatrical dance and movement
- Film “101”
- Monday – Friday 11 am – 3 pm
- Ages 8 – 17 years old
Too Much Fun
There’s nothing like the quality of life in a small community. And for residents of Creekshaw, the diversity of activities is nothing short of amazing. Come see why more and more families have decided to build a forever home in one of the hottest communities in the country. Click here and set up your visit to Creekshaw.
by admin | Apr 26, 2022 | News
There is no more exciting sound on planet Earth than that of the high-pitch “whirling” of a nicely-made cast and then the “Ker Plunk” of a lure or bobber hitting the water. It is iconic. This is true for both seasoned anglers and small fry who are just getting started with the lifetime sport of fishing.
In the master-planned community of Creekshaw, located in the quiet, historic town of Royse City, the fishing hole is just a few steps from the backdoors of residents. One of the truly fun amenities of this beautiful spot in North Texas is the community fishing pond. Surrounded by lush landscaping, this is the perfect spot for mothers, fathers, or grandparents to show kids just how cool fishing is.
Getting a child excited about fishing is all about parents and grandparents having patience. It also entails getting some simple and inexpensive gear that is designed for young arms and strength and almost no experience with “wetting a line.”
How To Teach a Kid to Fish
Teaching a kid to fish involves the art of storytelling and hands-on experience. As with any learning experience, success in fishing for kids will typically lead to lots of laughter, excitement, and even more success. For those kids who are lucky enough to live or visit Creekshaw, the weather is almost perfect – save for a couple of months in winter – for year-round fishing.
Sweet!
According to Fatherly , a wonderful website for teaching kids the “essential” skills for having fun outdoors, “the best time to start a kid fishing is always the autumn. It’s the season with the most comfortable weather, and the fish are on the feed, which provides a more exciting outing for screen-dependent youths.
“The best fishing poles for kids facilitate casting, are reciprocal to the child’s own miniature dimensions, and often include a few hooks to spare, affording for the inevitable snags and break-offs. But there’s more to the best kids fishing poles than just numbers and features; the tackle represents a portal to outdoor adventures, as well as the quality time between you and your child and a lifetime of lessons.”
The editors of the site tracked down fishing expert Hernan Santiesteban. “When introducing kids to fishing, focus on making the experience as positive as possible — and be patient with the initial interest level. If you can incorporate other activities like swimming or boating, great because the progress on the fishing side might be slow at first. Second, don’t get too intimidated by all the jargon and gear out there — you can have an amazing day on the water (and still catch a lot of fish) with a basic setup. Start with finding a good kid’s fishing pole.
“When choosing a kid’s fishing rod, pay attention to length. It should be just long enough for your little angler to handle it with ease, so about 3-4 feet in length. And because kids break stuff, get them rods made of graphite, fiberglass, and composite blends, so you won’t need to replace them every month.
“For toddlers, consider a “no-tangle” kids fishing rod with a line that runs inside the shaft rather than along the exterior via stubborn metal eyelets. For kids in the four to six range, think about a rod with a closed-face, push-button “spin-cast” design — this will teach your child a modified but effective casting technique. For coordinated seven-year-olds and above, the sky’s the limit as long as they’re willing to put up with the occasional few minutes of frustration. But hey, that’s fishing.”
The great thing about getting fishing equipment suitable for boys and girls is the price. Well-made, kid-friendly rods, reels, and all of the hooks, bobbers, and other “stuff” that kids LOVE, can range from $15 to $40.
For younger kids, Fatherly suggests:
Zebco Splash Kids Spincast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo 29″ Durable Floating Fiberglass Rod with Tangle-Free Design, Oversized Reel Handle Knob, Pre-Spooled with 6-Pound Zebco Fishing Line.
Price: $14,99 on Amazon
Kid Casters Orange Edition Complete Fishing Kit This telescoping spin-cast package from Kid Casters. Besides a few basic lures and a tackle box, the kit also includes a variety of training aids, including a casting plug, a plastic safety hook, and three sponge lures.
Price: $30 from Dick’s Sporting Goods
Shakespeare’s Catch a Monster Spincast Kids Combo, With playful graphics and a big button for easy casting, spin-cast combos like this one are perfect for real fishing. The finger guard keeps little digits out of harm’s way, and it comes with a plastic minnow so your kid can practice launching man-sized casts into the middle of the lake.
Price: $14.99 from Bass Pro Shops
A Paradise for Kids
Family activities such as fishing is just one of the many outdoor “attractions” of Creekshaw. This place is a paradise for kids! Plus, the exemplary Royse City schools take care of the non-fishing side of your small fry’s brain.
Win/Win.
Don’t let this big one get away! Creekshaw is just one of those places where childhood memories are made. Click here and come see why they’re always biting at this family-friendly community.
by admin | Mar 31, 2022 | News
For more than 130 years, families have gravitated to historic Royse City, Texas, home to one of Northeast Texas’ newest master-planned communities, Creekshaw. Since it is located halfway between Garland and Dallas in Rockwall County, it is close to employment, entertainment, and professional sports in Dallas, but far enough away to have that small-town feel. With I-30 and State Highway 67 running adjacent to the community, Dallas and all of East Texas are easily accessible.
For families with kids or grandkids who love to visit, Creekshaw is just minutes away from more fun things to do than they have time to do them! While there’s not enough space here to list all of the cool places to take kids for a “rambunctious rally,” here are 10 places to get your fun-o-meter cranked up to 11!
10 Ways to Have an Epic Day With Your Little Ones
1. Shenaniganz
Located just a hop, skip and a jump from Creekshaw, in Rockwall this place will help your kids or grandkids blow off some steam and go to bed exhausted. It’s all indoors, so the weather is not a problem. Bowling, laser tag, go-karts, jump zones, and a ton of fun are all under one roof.
2. Hawaiian Falls
This water park is minutes from Royse City in North Garland with rides, slides, and LOTS and LOTS of water. Cool off with kids of all ages at this Texas-sized water-themed park.
3. Gentle Zoo
If your little ones love sweet animals, this is a great choice. Located in Forney, the Gentle Zoo is home to some of the cutest animals on the planet and they are just waiting for a nice child to come along and pet them. The park also has a playground, train, and maze.
4. Celebration Station
Just 20-minutes from Creekshaw, in Mesquite, Celebration Station is a non-stop bop for kids of all ages. Paintball, laser tag, go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats, rock wall, video games and (don’t forget) batting cages for the future major leaguers are all here.
5. Cosmic Jump
In the words of rock band Van Halen, “Go ahead and JUMP!” This indoor trampoline park in Allen also has dodgeball, basketball, and very cool, after-dark fun. Bounce on by with the kids or grandkids and touch the Texas sky.
6. KidZania
Edutainment on the highest level, KidZania in Frisco is a 100,000 square foot city with more than 100 immersive “occupations” that kids can assume. It’s fascinating, fun, and definitely worth the trip. If your little one wants to be a firefighter, here ya go!
7. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Downtown Dallas is just down the road from Royse City and Creekshaw and one of the premier museums in the country is found downtown. The Perot Museum has five floors of interactive exhibits and a special section for kids younger than 5 years, 3D animation, and interactive games. Yes, it will be fun for you too.
8. Zero Gravity Thrill Park
So, you thought “the thrill is gone?” Nope. It’s right here. Extreme rides for EXTREME families, this place will test your mettle. It’s in Dallas and only the brave should enter!
9. Going Bonkers
If your little ones are driving you bonkers, it’s time to reverse the roles. Located in Lewisville, this large playground has mesh tubing, zip lines, and crazy things to do for kids of all ages.
10. Splash Kingdom
If you’ve not had the chance to experience “First Monday Trade Days” in Canton, this massive flea market is a must-see. You can even take the kids or grands and let them cool off at the Splash Kingdom. It has slides, volcanoes, rivers, castles, and all things wet.
Creekshaw Living is Special
With its charming, historic downtown, its lush landscaping and convenient location for shopping and entertainment, Creekshaw is a perfect choice for young families or empty-nesters. This impeccably designed master-planned community allows you to exhale and relax when you come home.
If you’re thinking about building your “forever” home, put this community on your shortlist. Click here to set up a visit.
by admin | Feb 25, 2022 | News
In many ways, a state-of-the-art, master-planned community, located a few miles from a thriving metropolitan area was the perfect residential scenario for active families who wanted to “power through” the most significant pandemic in a hundred years. Now that a post-pandemic world is here, the warm, inviting community of Creekshaw, nestled in heart of charming Royse City, Texas is even more inviting.
Located near Interstate 30/U.S. 67, a thoroughfare that runs through the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Creekshaw’s location is highly desirable for families whose wage-earners can work from home or “clock-in” at a traditional office. The amenities are many and the neighborhood vibe is friendly. Plus, the floor plans offered by Creekshaw builders have been thoughtfully conceived to fill the niche of the new normal of a post-pandemic lifestyle.
Home Floor Plans That Solve Problems
The previous two years of “social distancing” and renewed emphasis on entertaining and dining from home have taught residential interior designers a great deal about what active families want in their homes. Nationally recognized interior designer, Mary Cook, notes, “Mental and physical well-being are in the forefront of people’s minds. We should be prepared to respond to that with creative design solutions. Going forward, homes are taking on new meaning.”
In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Cook explained what families who live in highly-desirable communities such as Creekshaw are looking for in their homes.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, the home has taken on greater importance and become more meaningful for many,” Cook notes. “They are our oasis, our office, et cetera. We are looking for functional solutions to the added duties of home, but people won’t compromise on aesthetics in the name of function. With all the time we’re spending at home, aesthetics are more important than ever.
“The other thing I’m seeing is that mental and physical well-being are in the forefront of people’s minds. We should be prepared to respond to that with creative design solutions. Going forward, homes are taking on new meaning. We’re asking them to do more, and we want them to be beautiful because it impacts our well-being.
“From the physical standpoint, if we’re at home doing the work we used to do in an office, we’re talking now about ergonomics, seating and standing options along with lighting, fresh air, and natural sunshine. From an emotional standpoint, we’ve been shut down from friends and family. We want to be back together. In order to be back together, we have to feel safe and comfortable in our spaces.”
The top-notch builders of Creekshaw could not agree more.
Home Entertainment is a Primary Driver
If the past couple of years has taught homeowners anything it is how much they value home entertainment. Indoors, with cozy fireplaces and visitor-friendly kitchens, and outdoors with entertainment, cooking and dining spaces that are usable throughout the year, places where everyone can enjoy themselves are in great demand. With the mild climate of North Texas, Creekshaw residents can enjoy having friends and neighbors over for a friendly “grill-and-chill” almost year-round.
Cook agrees. “Entertaining at home has been the primary driver during the pandemic of many more outdoor living and dining spaces. We’ll see more of that this year. People feel more comfortable there. It’s more relaxed, and they feel safer and healthier.
“It’s a more casual, comfortable way to be with people. Fresh air, natural light, fire pits, places, and shelter from the elements all contribute to the safer-at-home entertaining that’s popular now. In many of our multi-family projects, we install retractable walls that allow spaces to open up to the outside, with a big focus on outdoor dining.”
Living the Dream
A great location, a sweet, historical downtown, exemplary schools, abundant amenities of one of North Texas’ great, new master-planned communities and thoughtful floor plans make the homes in Creekshaw a terrific place to live. Now is a great time to come take a look.
Click here and we’ll be waiting for you.
