Wide open spaces make Castle Pines appealing
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photo by Paul Masovero
At a time when it feels like development may be taking over the community, it is breathtaking drives like this one just west of the Wildcat Mountain Trail parking lot on Monarch Boulevard (looking west) that remind us of the beautiful dedicated open spaces within and surrounding the Castle Pines community.
The City of Castle Pines currently boasts four parks with a combined total of 34 acres and 14 miles of paved, 8-foot-wide trails. While development continues within the City, new residential and commercial areas have made commitments to ensure the City’s natural beauty and open space areas remain. Existing open space in the Castle Pines community is owned by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (351 acres) and neighborhood homeowner associations (209 acres). Future planned developments within the City boundaries have made commitments to more than triple this number – for a total of 2,090 acres of dedicated open space.
The Canyons (east of I-25) will dedicate 112.5 acres to active park space, 1,399 acres to passive open space and 37 miles to trails. The Canyons will also reserve 20 acres for civic/community land that will be the City’s responsibility to construct and maintain. Additionally, the “farm” open space at The Canyons will add an additional 310.8 acres, once complete.
Castle Pines Town Center (formerly Lagae Ranch south) will commit 35.3 acres of active park space, 56.3 acres of passive open space, and will include 20 acres of community parks and a network of 15 acres of local parks/trails.
Castle Pines Valley (formerly Lagae Ranch north), will commit 13.2 acres of active park land toward phase 2 of Elk Ridge Park and 56.3 acres toward passive open space.
Park and open space amenities adjacent to the City of Castle Pines: On the western boundary of Castle Pines, residents enjoy convenient access to Daniels Park, a 1,000-acre historic ranch that is owned and managed by Denver Mountain Parks. Douglas County is partnering with Denver Mountain Parks on substantial trail, trailhead and road improvements. Many residents view Daniels Park, as well as other regional open space facilities, as an extension of the trails and neighborhood open spaces found within Castle Pines.
On the northeastern boundary lies Rueter-Hess Reservoir. A final plan was approved in 2016 to open the reservoir to passive recreational uses such as hiking trails, picnic areas, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and fishing.
So the next time you read a “Development News” story in The Connection, try to remember and celebrate all the “undevelopment” too.
