At Hillwood Communities, we know that enduring, generation-spanning communities begin with the ground they’re built on. Without the right plot of land, one whose history is honored, understood, and preserved, a new home community won’t fully prosper. That’s why at Hillwood Communities, we start from the ground up, collaborating with community leaders and other local stakeholders through each distinct phase of the development process.

Nowhere is that more true than at Union Park by Hillwood in Little Elm, TX. Through a thoughtful, highly detailed process, we selected this beautiful and historic plot of land on which to create a new home community like no other. Read on to learn more about the history of Little Elm, future development plans in the town, and our part in it.

Part of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the town of Little Elm is located in Denton Country, not far from Lake Lewisville. One of the oldest communities in the county, settlers first took up residence in the 1840s, after receiving grants of land from the Republic of Texas, as part of the Peters Colony Empresario Grant.

The King family set up a homestead on the banks of the Little Elm Creek, and later were instrumental in establishing the town and the settlement’s (and Denton County’s) first post office in 1852. The settlers named their young town after the elm trees that used to line the creek running through it, and thus, Little Elm was born.

In the early days, the town was primarily a farming community, but with the construction of Lake Lewisville in the 1950s, the area became a popular recreation destination, thanks to roads that placed it just a short commute away from both Denton and Dallas. In the ensuing years, Little Elm development began in earnest, with the town officially incorporating in 1966. Since then, new housing developments in Little Elm, TX – like Union Park by Hillwood – have made this growing town one of the most sought-after places to live in North Texas.

The developers at Hillwood Communities selected the land for Union Park based on several important factors, including its size and location. In 2013, we acquired 757 acres of agricultural property (likely former hayfields) from the Rudman Family. A portion of this land was preserved, and improved, and has now become the heart of the Union Park community: a 30-acre Central Park for generations of residents to enjoy.

In 2016, we purchased additional tracts of land, including Lyndhurst, McCutchin, and Wood/Weatherly. These acquisitions brought the total acreage for Union Park to 1,086 acres, with 3,341 lots planned for eventual release when all phases of development are complete. To serve the community’s residents, 80 acres of the property are designated for commercial use and 12 acres have been set aside for three on-site schools.

With these acquisitions, the stage was set for the creation of a vibrant, modern, thriving new home community. After careful consideration of available resources, Union Park was set up as a Municipal Management District (MMD), which benefits both homeowners and the community as a whole. An MMD has a board of directors that oversees the management of the district, and provides for the financing of improvements such as parks, infrastructure, and public facilities. This ensures that the community remains well-maintained and attractive to new residents, making it a desirable place to live.

Union Park’s new housing developments in Little Elm, TX offer buyers new home options in a wide range of sizes, styles, and budgets. In 2014, Phase 1 began with 393 lots available for construction; model homes followed by October 2015. We partnered with five of DFW’s best new home builders for this phase on 50′, 60′, and 70′ lots: American Legend Homes, Coventry Homes, Drees Custom Homes, Emerald Homes, and Highland Homes.

After a rezoning in 2016, Phase II brought two additional products for homebuyers – patio homes on 40’ lots from Beazer and DR Horton, and a 609-lot active adult community. Del Webb at Union Park offers homes on 41′, 51′, and 65′ lots and a lifestyle especially designed for adults 55+.  In 2018, Phase III added even more products to Union Park with the addition of 50′ and 55′ lot sizes from DR Horton and Del Webb.

Yet another facet of the community was recently completed. Phase I of Union House multi-family homes opened in 2022 with 322 units for lease.

After all that work, it’s safe to say that Union Park is quickly growing into the promise imagined for it by the community planners at Hillwood. In 2020, Union Park was ranked #24 on the RCLCO Top Master-Planned Communities list for the nation, and in 2021, we were ranked #47. In 2022, we moved up to #31, demonstrating the community’s bright future, and a clear upward trajectory for the residents who choose to make it their home. Union Park made the list again as the #39 top-selling community for mid-year 2023.

Apart from our wide variety of unique homes, Union Park offers plenty of amenities. Everything from tree-lined greenbelts, fishing ponds and parks to resort-style pools and event pavilions to a fitness park with a track, sports courts and indoor gym. We even have a food truck park where residents can grab a bite! And with an award-winning lifestyle program that offers more than 300 fun, enriching, and varied events each year, there’s always a chance to connect to the broader community.

Whether you’re moving to the DFW area for the first time, are relocating, or are simply considering creating a new home in the future, you’ll find everything you need and more at Union Park by Hillwood.