Parks and recreation planning has been in the spotlight in Douglas County for months, and as plans for renovations at Fairgrounds Regional Park move forward, the youth sports community has voiced concerns about the future of playing fields in the Castle Rock area.
County leaders have expressed a desire to build the new playground elsewhere, but a proposal to add a playground in the Highlands Ranch area (known as Wildcat Regional Park) has met with opposition, including an online petition raising concerns about its impact on wildlife.
Now you have an opportunity to give direct input to county officials on how your park funds are spent.
“Completing the online survey will take approximately 15 minutes and is part of the County’s ongoing efforts to engage you in the process of determining spending priorities for the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund,” the county said in a news release.
The study could influence county commissioners’ choices about where to build youth sports fields, as well as decisions about the proposed Wildcat Regional Park, senior citizen programs and other priorities, according to county officials.
Proposals for renovations to the county’s Fairgrounds Regional Park have long been under consideration, with officials saying it was time for an upgrade and that demand for event space has exceeded capacity.
According to a draft master plan for the fairgrounds, some of the playgrounds may be left as is, but three fields near the eastern end could be converted to new uses.
Affected facilities could include one baseball field, one football/lacrosse field and one multi-use area for soccer, said Tim Hallmark, the county’s facilities director.
Attention has been focused on a proposal for Wildcat Regional Park as a possible site for the new arena. The 202-acre parcel, located near Monarch Boulevard and south of Rocky Heights Middle School, was deeded to the county as part of a deal with Mission Viejo Co., Highlands Ranch’s original developer.
Officials have heard some overlap between those wanting new farmland and those concerned about conservation, but it’s unclear whether there will be broad public agreement on where the new land should be located.
The county’s findings could help shape solutions.
“The survey methodology is designed to ensure the best possible means of obtaining a statistically accurate and representative sample of opinions from Douglas County residents age 18 and older,” the county said in a news release.
According to Douglas County, through Aug. 27, residents throughout Douglas County can participate in an “online-only confidential survey” conducted by independent research firm Hill Research Consultants.
According to the county, the 0.17% sales and use tax has helped preserve parks, trails, historic resources and open space throughout Douglas County since it was first approved by voters in 1994. In 2022, Douglas County voters approved a measure to extend the sales tax, which is expected to generate $350 million over 15 years.
According to the county, the distribution of funds from the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund includes a “municipal return” of 20 percent of the funds to Castle Pines, Parker, Larkspur, Lone Tree and Castle Rock.
More info: Take the county survey at tinyurl.com/DouglasParksSurvey .