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October 23, 2014 VOLU M E 2 | I SS UE 1 1 | F R E E
CastlePinesNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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AP history drawing scrutiny Two school board members cite late rollout, political bias among issues with course By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com
The challenge hill at the new Philip S. Miller Park in Castle Rock is one of numerous outdoor attractions featured in the 230-acre park. Photos by Mike DiFerdinando
Sprawling park on cusp of opening Miller Activity Center tops the list of attractions at new complex By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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An ambitious dream to bring a 230-acre park, field house complex and regional attraction to Castle Rock culminates Oct. 25 with the grand opening of the new Philip S. Miller Park. The park, located at 375 W. Plum Creek Parkway, west of Interstate 25 in Castle Rock, boasts more than six miles of hiking and biking trails, lighted synthetic turf athletic fields, a challenge staircase and children’s adventure playground — and that’s just the outside of the park. “My favorite thing to do during these openings is kind of hang back and watch smiles and see how people are reacting,” Castle Rock parks and recreation director Rob Hannah said. “It’s exciting. This is why Castle Rock is such a great place to work and to live — being able to be part of projects like this, and it will all culminate on Saturday.” Inside the new Miller Activity Complex, patrons will find both full- and half-sized indoor synthetic turf fields, an aquatic center with a leisure pool and lap lanes, a children’s climbing structure, a trampoline room and party rooms, among other features. “We want to make sure that people understand that this isn’t just a rec center for athletes or for people who want to weight-lift,” Hannah said. “This park and this activity center has things for almost everyone in the community at one point or another. And that’s the exciting part. It has something new and different.”
Castle Rock enlisted the help of residents to come up with the name for the Miller Activity Complex. The town’s “What’s in a name” campaign assembled and displayed kiosks at town hall, The recreation center, the senior center, Burgess Memorial Pool, Butterfield Crossing Pool and The Grange in the Meadows, asking residents to submit ideas for naming the building. Participants could also submit their ideas, or vote for their favorites, on the town’s website. The contest ran for three weeks. In total, 83 ideas were submitted and 157 votes were cast. The field house is not eligible for naming rights, since it was financed by issuing tax-free bonds. It is a restriction of the bond qualifications that the facility cannot allow naming rights in exchange for funding.
A growing community
According to Hannah, as the town’s population (currently at about 55,000) grows, the demand for fields, parks and recreation facilities will increase. The Philp S. Miller Park is not just a windfall for current residents, but also a long-term investment in a growing community. “That’s the expectation of the community,” he said. “When you’re a population of 12,000 you realize that you can’t have everything, but the expectation is getting higher and higher every year.” The town estimates its population will hit 100,000 by 2030.
Building the park
Groundbreaking for the park took place back on Park continues on Page 12
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The pool at the new Miller Activity Complex in Castle Rock is complete with slides, lap lanes, a volleyball net and a children’s area.
Two Douglas County School Board members have expressed public concern about the new Advanced Placement U.S. History course that sparked a firestorm in Jefferson County. Jim Geddes and Judi Reynolds said their interest is not about promoting or quashing a particular viewpoint, but giving students a balanced perspective on the past. Geddes wants to provide a balanced political view he said the new course is lacking. He wants to not only request the College Board revise the course, but provide students with an alternative accredited U.S. History class. “I believe the course is heavily flawed,” Geddes Geddes said. “When I read the tests, I see a leftist liberal indoctrination; I don’t approve of that. We must have a responsible academia, particularly when it comes to these kinds of courses. “Our purpose is not to tell young people what to think about what happened. It’s to lay out the facts and tell them maybe various people’s views about what happened in a balanced fashion. And that course doesn’t do that; I’m highly concerned about that.” History continues on Page 10
Parents upset over departure Security stepped up as teacher exits elementary school By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com Parents and students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary are devastated by the departure of a popular teacher who recently resigned. Fourth-grade teacher Mike Mizones cited an environment that “compromises my integrity as a teacher” as his reason for leaving the Castle Pines school. His supporters are pointing at the school’s principal not only as the impetus for the teacher leaving, but for creating an atmosphere the day of his departure they said added fear to the already heightened emotions. Mizones could not be reached for comment. Prin- Mizones cipal Sarah McAfee did not return calls for comment, and the Douglas County School District sent an emailed statement about Mizones’ departure. “We regret that he chose to leave his students mid-year, but we understand it is his decision,” reads the email from DCSD spokeswoman Paula Hans. “His last day of school with his students was Thursday, October 9, 2014, as we believe fall break provides a natural transition for our students to make this change. “We wish Mr. Mizones well and are comTeacher continues on Page 16