Metzler Family Open Space

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  1. Physical Address
    838 E. Allen St.
    Castle Rock, CO 80104

  1. Maintenance Division


    Emergency phone: 911 On-call: 303-435-3345

  1. Rich Havel

    Trails Planner

  1. Fast Facts
  2. Overview
  • Adopted by: Castle Rock Rotary Club through the POST Partners Program
  • Trail length: 4 miles
  • Trail rating: easy to moderate
  • Trail surface: unpaved
  • Open Space acreage: 109 total acres (49 acre public land dedication in 2001 and 60 acre donation in 2021)
  • Wildlife highlights: wild turkeys, mountain lions
  • Special comments: historic homestead
Download Map Brochure
View Trail Conditions
View Rules and Regulations Button
View Trail Tips Button

With gorgeous sweeping views, plentiful wildlife and beautiful wildflowers and vegetation, the land along Founders Parkway and Crowfoot Valley Road is truly a treasure. The approximately 60-acre property was donated to the Town by the Estate of Robert F. Metzler. While the donation agreement requires several improvements the property will primarily remain open space to be enjoyed by the community for generations to come.

Metzler family history

The Metzler family is credited as an original settler in the Castle Rock area. Originally built in 1899, the homestead was the home of Bob and Rosemary Metzler. The siblings grew up on the property when it was still being used for ranching and dairy operations. Both Bob and Rosemary had distinguished careers in education. Bob was elected the Superintendent of Douglas County Schools in 1952, and Rosemary taught in Douglas County for more than 30 years. The siblings were third-generation Coloradans who had a passion for education, the community, and parks and recreation.

Conservation

As part of the agreement, the Metzler estate donated a conservation easement, which limits the uses of the property going forward and preserves the natural state of the land. Douglas Land Conservancy, a local nonprofit focused on land conservation in Douglas County, holds the conservation easement and will help ensure the property, including a four-acre tract containing the homestead and ranch buildings, are managed appropriately.

Improvements

Since receiving the generous land donation, the Town developed 4 miles of native-surface, single-track trails throughout the property and straightened the silo, as its preservation was requested by Mr. Metzler. The trails are now open for hikers, mountain bikers and walkers with dogs on leash. A parking lot and access driveway was constructed along the southwest portion of the property at 838 E. Allen Street to ensure public access, and additional parking labeled "Castle Rock Open Space" is available on the property's northwest side at 5460 Montana Vista. Property signage was placed throughout to orient trail users and informative plaques will soon be installed to provide the Metzler family and property history. An 11-acre tract, which could allow for an educational or community building, was also part of the donation. This area will be managed as open space until future needs are determined by the Town and funding is available. 

LAND USES

Fun facts

  1. Family history
  2. Homestead 
  3. Property
  • The Metzler family is credited as an original settler in the Castle Rock area.
  • Bob and Rosemary Metzler are the grandchildren of Patrick Lucas and Margaret McCardle who homesteaded what is now Castlewood Canyon State Park and the remains of that homestead are still visible in the park.
  • Bob and Rosemary were the last of the Metzler family to live on this property (Rosemary died in 2017 and Bob passed away in 2020).
  • Bob and Rosemary were third-generation Coloradans who had a passion for education, the community and parks and recreation, and both had distinguished careers. Bob was the Superintendent of Douglas County Schools as well as an internationally recognized educator, cattle rancher, developer and philanthropist. Rosemary taught in Douglas County for more than 30 years and published a children’s book, Snooty the Fox.