About Us
Castle Rock Parks and Recreation
Established in 1977, the Parks and Recreation Department originally served a population of merely 2,000. Through robust community planning, today more than 80,000 residents now enjoy 105 miles of trails, 54 well-planned parks and just under 6,000 acres of open space that define the region's most prominent features.
National publications like Money magazine, American City and County and others have listed Castle Rock as a great place to live and raise a family, and Douglas County is frequently named among the healthiest community in the nation. This tasks the department with maintaining strong parks and recreation services.
The annual operating and capital budget for the department is approximately $18 million. Staff consists of 55 full-time employees and nearly 500 seasonal employees. In addition to parks, open space and trails, the department manages:
- a robust volunteer program
- two full-service recreation facilities
- a maintenance service center
- a championship golf course
- a state-licensed preschool
- inline hockey, tennis and pickleball courts
- a disc-golf course
- natural and synthetic-turf athletic fields
- indoor and outdoor pools, and three splash pads
Each year, the department hosts hundreds of special events, cultural opportunities, programs and activities for families, youth, adults and seniors. Through partnerships, outdoor adventure opportunities await residents and nonresidents alike with activities like zip lines and adventure courses at Philip S Miller Park and water and hiking opportunities at the Rueter-Hess Reservoir. The Castle Rock Parks and Recreation Department strives to provide access for everyone, through its Adaptive Recreation and scholarship programs.
Mission statement
Enhance the quality of life and well-being of the citizens of Castle Rock by acquiring and developing parks and trails, preserving open space and offering quality recreation programs and facilities to meet the needs of the community.
Vision statement
As the Town of Castle Rock's population continues to grow, so does the demand for more parks, recreation programs and facilities, golf opportunities, interconnected trails and a need to set aside a greater amount of open space. To address these challenges, the department will make the public a partner; streamline operations to become more efficient and service-oriented; maximize the use of alternative funding sources; and place an increased emphasis on seeking opportunities for regional and local cooperation.