The Painted Tree Games

A Neighborhood Game designed to unlock greater social value from existing community investments.

The Painted Tree Games is a custom Neighborhood Game created for the Painted Tree community in McKinney, Texas.

Designed specifically for this master-planned community, the game augments the development’s investment in public space, amenities, and lifestyle programming by creating playful, shared experiences residents can return to again and again.

It’s one example of how a Neighborhood Game can be designed to fit the culture, landscape, and social goals of a community.

Context: Painted Tree

Painted Tree is a master-planned community designed around nature, trails, and an active outdoor lifestyle.

  • Extensive trail network and open space system

  • Strong emphasis on community life and lifestyle programming

  • Large South Asian immigrant population as well as native Texans

The Neighborhood Game Layer:

Painted Tree added a Neighborhood Game layer to support everyday social life through play and unlock more social potential in their community.

  • A strategic system of games, rules, and shared experiences

  • Designed to work within existing spaces and infrastructure

  • Tailored to the culture, brand, and demographics of the community

What We Leveraged

The Painted Tree Games began by understanding and working with what already existed.

  • A visible and well-used trail network

  • Open floodplain areas with high social potential

  • Resident behaviors and demographics

  • Lifestyle goals centered on nature and connection

What We Added

Friendly Futures layered in a Neighborhood Game system to activate social life and invite residents to more easily connect with each other.

  • Branded Game, Logo, Name, and overall visual identity

  • Game logic and rules that encourage shared use

  • Playable moments and spaces designed to be social by default

The First Location

The first place to play the Painted Tree Games adds social value directly to the trail network.

  • Turns a highly visible floodplain area into a destination, not just a pass-through

  • Supports gathering, play, and lingering alongside movement

  • Anchors the Neighborhood Game while remaining flexible over time

Games at the First Location

  • Volleyball

  • Circular Bocce Ball

  • Rock Garden Table Games

  • Rock Garden Bowling

  • Rock Garden Lagori

  • Over The Line

  • Backyard Cricket

  • Wiffleball

  • Track

  • Soccer

Designed To Grow

Painted Tree Games was designed as a system that can evolve with the community.

  • Additional game moments planned along the trail network

  • Phased implementation aligned with development timelines

  • Flexible in how the game may expand

Painted Tree Games is one expression of how a Neighborhood Game can work.

  • Every Neighborhood Game is custom and place-specific

  • The approach adapts to different communities and contexts

  • The goal remains the same: stronger social life through shared play

One Example, Many Possibilities

Curious to bring a Neighborhood Game to your community?

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