Activity for all and the gem of Castle Rock

Parks are vital for cities, offering numerous benefits such as promoting physical and mental health and fostering community connections. They also enhance property values, attract businesses and residents and contribute to the overall quality of life.

Jeff Smullen, assistant director of the Town of Castle Rock’s (Town) Parks and Recreation Department (P&R) agrees. “Because residents of Castle Rock and the surrounding area are highly supportive of open spaces, the Town provides more of it. “There are more than 6900 acres of open space in Castle Rock,” said Smullen.

One of the largest and most comprehensive outdoor spaces in the area is Philip S. Miller Park (PSM Park). Within PSM Park is the Miller Activity Complex (MAC), an indoor facility. Both are operated and maintained by P&R, and even though they are separate spaces, both are referred to colloquially as “The MAC.”

Philip S. Miller Park

PSM Park, a 300-acre space located at 1375 Plum Creek Parkway, is open year round and hosts a variety of family-friendly events, workouts and outdoor fun. There is no admission fee to visit the park, but costs apply for certain activities. PSM Park is ADA accessible.

For hikers, runners and mountain bikers, there is an eight-mile, unpaved trail network consisting of four interconnected loops, with an additional one mile of paved trail circling PSM Park.

A popular workout for locals, Challenge Hill is a 200-step staircase that rises 178 feet in elevation with a few return trails. Those who make it to the top enjoy majestic views of the Front Range.

   

Little ones can play on the Adventure Playground, a 2.5-acre space with unique play options nestled in natural terrain. A newly added feature to PSM Park, the Play Loop, offers a climb through a bamboo jungle, a 30-foot-long slide and a spinning climber called the Cyclo Cone. Splashpads are also available.

The outdoor amphitheater seats up to 2,500 guests and has welcomed local musicians as well as Grammy-winning performers. The summertime Tunes for Trails / Perks for Parks concert series is free with performances on the third Thursdays of the month June through September. There are also concerts that require ticket purchase: on August 9, country music singer Chris Lane will be the headliner and on August 30, band Yachty Got Back along with the Denver Pops Orchestra will be performing.

The amphitheater is also a space for free yoga classes on Sunday mornings in the summer months.

For those still in need of more adrenaline, the EDGE Ziplines & Adventures is a private-public partnership that offers two miles of ziplines at top speeds of 50 mph, a ninja course with six ninja challenges, a four-story aerial trekking obstacle course called Sky Trek, and a climbing wall and rappelling station called Adventure Tower. Prices vary depending on what course you want to conquer. For more information, visit theedgezip.com.

For those wanting just to relax, eat and take in the scenery, PSM Park has many picnic tables and a few gas fire pits available.

If you are planning a wedding or family event, the Millhouse at Philip S. Miller Park is a roomy rental space with an outdoor fireplace and a spacious patio.

The Miller Activity Complex

The MAC facility, a 64,000+-square-foot, two-story rec center, sits within PSM Park. The MAC offers indoor activity for year round fun: four 25-yard, indoor lap pools and a leisure pool with a slide; a vortex whirlpool; batting cages;16 trampolines; indoor synthetic fields for soccer and other sports; and two multi-use party rooms adjacent to the pool. There is also a children’s play structure with a 23-foot-tall slide, beam interactive floor games and a lounge area with a fireplace.

Day passes and annual memberships are available to Castle Rock residents (with discounted fees); passes for nonresidents are also available.

According to Smullen, PSM Park attracted nearly 436,000 visitors in 2024. It is on track to surpass that number this year. He concluded, “PSM Park is a park for all ages and the gem of Castle Rock.”

For more information, visit crgov.com and search “Philip S. Miller Park” or “Miller Activity Complex.”

Philip S. Miller Park and Miller Activity Complex
1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy,
Castle Rock, CO 80109
(720) 733-2260,
crgov.com/2051/Philip-S-Miller-Park

By ViVi Somphon