Park Improvements
The Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Plan identifies the need for improvements to many of the Town's existing parks. Butterfield Crossing, Mitchell Gulch and Plum Creek parks will receive the first round of renovations, prioritizing safety and accessibility improvements, life cycle replacement and enhancing user experience.
Planning process
The department contracted professional landscape architecture firms to engage residents and staff in the renovation planning process. In 2020, Design Concepts was awarded the design contract to create the overall improvement plan for Butterfield Crossing Park; DHM Design Corporation was selected to develop plans for Mitchell Gulch Park and Plum Creek Park on Mount Royal Drive.
Both firms first met with Parks and Recreation Department staff to review current and future programming needs and maintenance issues and discuss potential enhancements for each site. Using these discussions as a starting point, the firms then posted surveys and online forms in June 2020 to help convey needed repairs to community members and to solicit public feedback for improving these older parks. Design Concepts also invited residents to take an accessibility survey regarding possible inclusive playground additions for Butterfield Crossing Park.
After incorporating public and staff feedback, renovation concept sketches were created for each park site and posted on the Town's website for resident review and additional public comment in fall 2020. Input from these surveys was then incorporated into renovation master plans for each park, which will be used when prioritizing future upgrades.
Funding
These projects are funded through the Conservation Trust Fund (lottery proceeds) and Douglas County Shareback. Approximately $4 million will be available through 2023 and will be dedicated to bringing existing parks to current standards. Available funding will be allocated across sites in accordance with needs based on the bids received.
Announcements
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Butterfield Crossing Park Grand Reopening
Being a superhero means believing anything is possible! Come explore the possibilities at the grand reopening of Butterfield Crossing Park from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 9.
Join in the fun and be among the first to experience the sensory-rich, fully inclusive Possibilities Playground that allows all ages and ability levels to play, be challenged and have fun together. The marvelous event will feature a ribbon cutting by our own superheroes, inclusive crafts and activities, a dance performance by PerformAbility, adaptive sports demonstrations, a DJ, food trucks and much more.
When you visit the updated park, you will find new basketball and pickleball courts, enhanced gathering spaces and shade structures, improved accessibility and lighting, new walking paths and trail connections, an outdoor fitness course and the fully inclusive Possibilities Playground.
Make your plans now to come out and play — dress up as a superhero, have your face painted and try out the photo booth; meet the Chick-Fil-A Cow and your favorite superheroes like Batman, Captain America and Wonder Woman. When all of that makes the family hungry, check out the food trucks serving burgers, pizza, ice cream and more.
Through partnerships with Meadows Metropolitan District No. 1 and Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation, the Town was able to achieve the community vision for the park. Thanks to the support of heroes like you, nearly $1.1 million was raised from our community to fund adaptive and inclusive play equipment to bring Possibilities Playground to life. Join with your neighbors to ensure that Possibilities Playground will reach its full potential by raising the last $200,000. Visit ColoradoGives.org to make your donation today.
Butterfield Crossing Park
Originally constructed more than 30 years ago, Butterfield Crossing Park is in need of several improvements.
The asphalt basketball and tennis court surfaces have deteriorated, and the Mateflex tiles that were put in place have reached the end of their life span. The irrigation system also requires significant upgrades and the existing playground needs replacement. The 15-year-old synthetic turf also reached the end of its lifespan and was replaced in late fall of 2021. Additionally, accessibility improvements are required.
Several of the desired elements indicated through public surveys were placed into the final renovation master plan, including: an additional paved path, a relocated and expanded playground including proposed inclusive features, new courts and upgraded ADA accessible restrooms. The scale of improvements may provide the opportunity to provide an inclusive playground, pickleball courts, upgraded LED lighting and a revised plaza area.
American Civil Constructors commenced construction in spring 2022, and the renovated park will host a grand opening event in June 2023.
Renovation Master Plan 
Survey results
- Draft renovation master plan survey results
- Inclusive playground survey results (PDF)
- Renovation planning survey results (PDF)
Mitchell Gulch Park
Mitchell Gulch Park was constructed more than 20 years ago. The park does not have a dedicated parking area and the playground must be replaced. The renovation master plan includes a dedicated paved parking lot, new playgrounds, fitness elements, a pavilion, an all-season restroom, added lighting, six new tennis courts with an additional dedicated parking area for the courts, a bike pump track and a permanent cornhole game area with seating. The park will also be updated to meet ADA accessibility standards, and the irrigation will be upgraded to improve watering efficiency.
In October 2022, Town Council unanimously approved a construction contract with Designscapes Colorado as the general contractor to commence renovation work. The Town held a renovation kick-off in October 2022 and the improvements are scheduled to be complete by fall 2023.
Renovation Master Plan
Survey Results
Plum Creek Park South
This 20-year-old park contains a playground, half basketball court and site furniture, all of which require replacement. Much of the park property was actually planned as a future school site. The Douglas County School District has not used the property for this purpose, nor have they released it from future consideration. This may limit the amount of funding that can be invested into the project. The property is also used extensively for walking and may have potential for a more formal trail system.
The renovation master plan was put forward and reviewed by the community with comments being taken into consideration prior to the master plan being finalized in the spring of 2021. Subsequently, shortly thereafter the Parks Department was contacted by residents of the Plum Creek community and asked to consider switching out the nature-oriented design for a more traditional playground concept. The department worked with the designer on a revised park playground option.
A new contract with DHM was approved to create the construction drawings, specifications and bid documents for the renovation and plans have been submitted to Development Services for approval.