Best Neighborhoods: No. 6 Breckinridge Park neighbors work, play close to home

Richardson has long been a destination for families and workers in the technology industry who enjoy the benefit of living in the community where they work.

That's possible because Richardson is the home of the University of Texas at Dallas and the Telecom Corridor and its concentration of such telecommunications companies as Texas Instruments, AT&T, Ericsson, Verizon, Samsung and Fujitsu.

Although Richardson is one of Dallas' closest and most established suburbs, it continues to prosper and grow as newcomers choose it over newer, booming suburban communities to the north. Richardson's population of about 99,000 in 2010 has grown to about 108,000 today.

City leaders say all Richardson neighborhoods provide access to good schools and nearby job opportunities as a result of policies that support strategic development and amenities such as parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

But it's Breckinridge Park — the city's largest — and the quality of life it offers in northeast Richardson that earned this neighborhood the No. 6 spot in The Dallas Morning News' annual ranking of the best neighborhoods of North Texas.

The Breckinridge Park neighborhood encompasses subdivisions such as Wyndsor Estates, Breckinridge Park Estates, Hills of Breckinridge and Greenfields. This area earned top ratings for safety, parks and pet-friendliness.

"The Breckinridge community is a great example of how our tradition of long-term planning, which incorporates progressive development standards designed to preserve natural features and turn them into amenities, can provide access to open space and recreation opportunities that make a great home," said Don Magner, Richardson's first assistant city manager.

The 417-acre Breckenridge Park features a multipurpose trail, picnic facilities, a playground, two pavilions, soccer and softball fields, ponds and plenty of open, natural space. Because of its size and fields, the park is used by the entire city and hosts many special events, including Richardson's annual July Fourth fireworks show.