Many neighboring communities will soon see development activity on regional parks and recreational facilities. In 2022, more than 87% of Douglas County voters approved to extend the 0.17% sales and use tax that has helped preserve parks, trails, historic resources and open space throughout the county. A 2024 survey of citizens determined the community’s priorities for this funding and the plans were approved by the Board of Douglas County Commissioners.

On April 14, plans for several of these projects were on display at an open house at the Philip S. Miller building in Castle Rock, including:

High Note Regional Park, City of Lone Tree
A partnership project between the City of Lone Tree and South Suburban Parks and Recreation, High Note Regional Park will be Lone Tree’s first and only regional park. The 80-acre park along Happy Canyon Creek near RidgeGate Parkway east of I-25 will provide community gathering spaces, recreation facilities, and event spaces for the entire region. Features include an artful promenade, athletic fields, festival terrace with water features, amphitheater, restaurant, dog park and overlook hill. Design is currently underway with construction anticipated to begin at the end of 2025 with the park opening by 2027.

“We are really excited about the project and the partnership with the County to make the project possible,” said Austin Good, assistant city manager for the City of Lone Tree.

Wildcat Regional Park, Highlands Ranch
With 202 acres of land donated by Douglas County, the Highlands Ranch Community Association will develop Wildcat Regional Park, located between Grigs Road and Monarch Boulevard, south of Rocky Heights Middle School. Amenities will include passive recreation opportunities, including an ADA-accessible 5K trail and bike-only trails open to all Douglas County residents. The park is anticipated to open in fall 2026.

Burns Regional Park, Sterling Ranch
Progress is charging ahead on what will soon be one of Sterling Ranch’s crown jewels, Burns Regional Park. This 110-acre project will span several areas of the community, offering outdoor amenities with work already begun on the first pickleball courts. The first phase of the park is still in planning and design and an opening date has not been determined.

“We are really excited about this project—a central linear park that runs north and south in Sterling Ranch,” said Gary Debus, general manager for the Sterling Ranch Community Association Board. “Douglas County is the best county in Colorado. This only makes it better.”

Salisbury Park North, Town of Parker
The Town of Parker owns 91 acres of land adjacent to and north of the Salisbury Equestrian Park & Sports Complex, known as Salisbury Park North. Phased over several years—with the final phase expected to be completed in 2029—this project will include lighted baseball/softball fields, synthetic turf lighted multi-purpose soccer fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a community hub pavilion, an outdoor fitness area, an inclusive playground and a bike park.

Gold Crown Foundation, Town of Castle Rock
Founded in 1986 by former Denver Nuggets Player Bill Hanzlik, Gold Crown Foundation (GCF) offers boys and girls basketball, volleyball, golf, flag football, health and wellness, and enrichment programs. Initial plans were unveiled to build a future GCF facility south of Castle Rock—in the Dawson Trails development—opening in late 2026.

“Our vision is to bring essentially what we do in Lakewood to Douglas County,” said Kevin Petty, executive director of the GCF. “Our facility will be six indoor basketball courts, 12 overlapping volleyball courts, enrichment STEM programming, as well as a health and wellness component, a partnership we share with Children’s Hospital.”

For more information, visit douglas.co.us/parks-trails-building-grounds.

 

By Sara Goodwin; rendering courtesy of Douglas County