Frisco is about to become home to North Texas’ largest public art installation, set in the soon-to-open Kaleidoscope Park. Slated for an October opening, Kaleidoscope Park is a six-acre community oasis within the Hall Park development, located at the intersection of Gaylord Parkway and Dallas Parkway. This new space promises to be a vibrant addition to Frisco, offering a variety of amenities including a dog park, splash pad, performance lawn, children’s play area, outdoor workspaces, and gardens. However, the park’s standout feature is its stunning signature art piece—”Butterfly Rest Stop.”

“Butterfly Rest Stop”: A Monumental Masterpiece

“Butterfly Rest Stop” stretches an impressive 165 feet above a portion of Kaleidoscope Park, making it one of the largest outdoor public art installations in Texas. Designed by renowned artist Janet Echelman, this massive sculpture resembles the delicate flowers of a milkweed plant, a critical food source for monarch butterflies. The installation is a nod to Frisco’s role as a stopover for migrating butterflies, with milkweed planted along the park’s arts plaza to attract these colorful visitors.

Installed in late June, the sculpture’s final pieces were secured 65 feet above the ground, creating a breathtaking visual experience. The artwork is crafted from nearly 90 miles of NASA-grade ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers—the same material used to tether the Mars rovers. This ensures the sculpture can withstand the elements, including winds up to 106 mph.

Here are some incredible facts about “Butterfly Rest Stop”:

• Length: 133 feet (160 feet including rope structures)
• Weight: 3,423 lbs
• Height: 65 feet at its tallest point
• Knots: 791,788 tied by hand and loom
• Twine: 88.9 miles used in the creation

Echelman designed the piece to interact with the natural environment, transforming with light and wind. This dynamic quality ensures that each visit to Kaleidoscope Park offers a unique experience as the sculpture seemingly floats above the park, tethered to multiple high beams.

A New Hub for Community and Culture

Kaleidoscope Park is a key part of the broader Hall Park redevelopment project, a multibillion-dollar initiative spanning two decades. Construction on the park began in fall 2021, and excitement has been building ever since.

Shawn Jackson, executive director of the Kaleidoscope Park Foundation, shared the community’s anticipation, saying, “The most exciting thing is opening the park. It’s brand new—Frisco’s been looking forward to it for two years.”

The Kaleidoscope Park Foundation, a nonprofit created through a public-private partnership between the Dallas-based charity Communities Foundation of Texas and the city of Frisco, has been instrumental in bringing this project to life.

Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney echoed the significance of the park and its signature sculpture: “[Hall Group chairman and founder] Craig Hall has always been passionate about art, which aligns with the City of Frisco’s commitment to our public art program. We’re excited to be home to ‘Butterfly Rest Stop’. The signature sculpture will help showcase Kaleidoscope Park and create an amazing gathering place for our residents, members of our business community, as well as visitors.”

Mark Your Calendars for the Grand Opening

With its official opening just around the corner in October, Kaleidoscope Park is set to become a new cultural and recreational hotspot in Frisco. Whether you’re drawn by the art, the green spaces, or the community events, Kaleidoscope Park is sure to be a place where everyone can gather, relax, and enjoy the best that Frisco has to offer.

Keep an eye on our blog for more updates as we count down to the grand opening of this exciting new park!