Hunters Run Parkway extension to fully open on July 1

Extension was envisioned as part of initial neighborhood plan

MELISSA (June 20, 2021) On July 1, the extension of Hunters Run Parkway from its terminus at Wolf Creek Lane to Liberty Way on the west will open, serving as an important two-way connector for residents and public safety personnel.

                As the City of Melissa continues to grow and develop, streets, roads, and thoroughfares become more important, giving residents and visitors the ability to move safely between neighborhoods, subdivisions, and commercial centers.

                “Well-planned, easy-to-navigate streets give residents access to schools, shopping centers, restaurants, and other locations within the City and beyond,” says City Manager Jason Little. “Access is a critical part of a City’s transformation from a collection of neighborhoods to a cohesive and integrated community.”

                The Hunters Run Parkway’s extension has been part of the overall plan for Melissa since the Hunters Creek and Liberty concept was approved in the early 2000s and its completion fulfills a critical element forecasted in the City of Melissa Thoroughfare Plan.

                In addition, the parkway’s extension allows for neighborhood commuters to take advantage of the traffic signal at SH 121 and Milrany Lane, as well as the traffic signal planned for SH 121 and Liberty Way.

                ‘Growth and development are critically important aspects of life in Melissa as we enter a sustained period of progress and transformation,” added Little. “The forward-thinking design that went into developing a workable thoroughfare plan was based on how we envisioned the community growing. Today, seeing how these collector streets make access easier and more logical validates the long-range strategic approach that went into the planning process.”

                While construction is still very much a part of daily life in Melissa, City officials have requested that Hillwood Company, the developer of Liberty, instruct construction personnel and their accompanying equipment to refrain from using the new Hunters Run Parkway extension to get to active construction sites. 

                “While Hunters Run Parkway is a public road, we are nevertheless confident that the developer and their partners will comply with our request to the best of their ability,” he said.