Project updates around the Ranch

Visit highlandsranch.org/projectupdates for information on these and other upcoming projects. For questions, please contact info@highlandsranch.org.

Playground replacement

This year, the 23-year-old playground equipment at Big Dry Creek Park, 9898 Atherton Way, is scheduled to be replaced. Construction is anticipated during late summer. To help renew aging equipment, the Metro District schedules one playground replacement each year. Staff considers the condition of existing equipment and available budget when planning replacements. Join Metro District staff for a neighborhood meeting at the playground on April 6 from 5-7 p.m. to learn more and share your feedback.

Batting cage equipment replacement

The batting cages at Redstone Park, 3280 Redstone Park Circle, will be getting an upgrade this spring as brand-new equipment is installed. The Batter Up! Batting Cages originally opened in 2001, and the aging equipment required almost daily repairs last season. All core components will be replaced, including the elevator, motors, pitching arms and hopper. The work is expected to be completed before opening day on Saturday, April 8. The facility sells more than 5,600 baseball, fast-pitch softball, and slow-pitch softball rounds annually, not including season passes and special rentals.

Pickleball courts

The Metro District and South Suburban Parks & Recreation are pursuing a partnership opportunity to build and operate a new outdoor pickleball facility near the southwest corner of S. Broadway and County Line Road. The boards of both districts have agreed to hire a consultant to complete design and construction plans with a cost projection to help determine if it is possible to proceed with construction at this site.

Plum Valley Park basketball court renovation

This spring, the basketball court at Plum Valley Park, 10230 Westridge Village Parkway, will undergo renovation. It will be relocated away from tree roots that have caused damage, converted from asphalt to concrete and expanded to regulation size. Construction is anticipated during April and May, and parking may be affected during weekdays in this timeframe.

Dog park shade structures replacement

Eight new permanent shade structures have been designed to replace the current shade sails at the Metro District’s four dog parks. Installation is planned to begin during late spring with completion anticipated in July. The dog parks are located near Dad Clark, Foothills, Highland Heritage and Redstone parks.

Mansion bowling alley rehabilitation

Clean-up of the Highlands Ranch Mansion’s bowling alley is anticipated this spring. The bowling alley is in the low, stone building to the east of the Mansion’s primary structure. It is believed to have been built by former Mansion owner John Springer sometime prior to 1910, and over the years has fallen into disrepair.

While it wasn’t exactly common to have your own residential bowling alley, it also wasn’t unusual for a high class, wealthy, turn-of-the-century family to build one for entertainment purposes. The bowler would stand on the south side of the building, where there was a small fireplace for warmth, and bowl toward the north end. At the end of the lane, someone else would be situated to manually reset any fallen pins and push the ball back down the ball return track. The purpose of the rehabilitation project is not to restore the single lane alley to a condition suitable for bowling, but rather to make the entry to the building safe for historic tour visitors to get a peek into the past. The Metro District is partnering on this project with the Highlands Ranch Park & Recreation Foundation, which enhances community projects and supports historic preservation at the Mansion. More information will be shared at highlandsranchmansion.com

Channel stabilization

The Metro District, in partnership with Mile High Flood District, has begun construction to restore a portion of West Fork Big Dry Creek downstream of Cresthill Lane. This project will stabilize a section of the channel experiencing bank erosion and degradation due to storm runoff and base flows from homes and development. The increased flows have widened the channel, resulting in vertical banks and degraded riparian habitat. Construction began in January 2023 and the project is scheduled to be completed this June. The adjacent Links Golf Course will remain open during construction, but individuals should stay out of all work zones.

Fence maintenance planned along parkways

Preparation and power washing for this year’s parkway fence staining project is expected to begin in March, followed by staining during mid-April. It is expected to take about two months to complete, weather dependent.

Almost five miles of Metro District-owned fence along Foothills Canyon, Gateway Drive, and Poston Parkway will be stained this year. Letters have been sent to adjacent homeowners informing them of the staining schedule. As a reminder, the Metro District only stains the street side of the fence. Homeowners with adjacent property can also help improve the longevity of parkway fences.

• Landscape materials such as mulch, rocks, etc., are not allowed within one foot of parkway fence. These materials will damage the fence and shorten its lifespan.

• Property owners are not allowed to attach anything to parkway fence. This includes holiday lights, holiday décor, satellite dishes, birdhouses, etc.

More than 42 miles of parkway fence winds through Highlands Ranch, and ongoing maintenance is part of the Metro District’s commitment to keep the community wellmaintained and attractive. The fence program only applies to Metro District-owned fence along the parkways and does not have any affect on individual homeowner’s fences. If you have any questions about the Metro District’s fence program, please visit highlandsranch.org/fence

We’re hiring - Join our amazing seasonal crew

All of our seasonal positions offer you the opportunity to work outdoors with a dedicated and experienced group of park and recreation professionals who maintain the beautiful parks, facilities and landscape along major streets In addition, our seasonals help to support a multitude of outdoor recreation programs

More than 100 seasonal positions are available now through November with varying skill levels, responsibilities and schedule flexibility To view our exciting and rewarding seasonal opportunities, please visit our online Career Center at highlandsranch.org/apply

Advance registration is required at least one week prior to program at highlandsranch.org/signmeup.

Fee: Highlands Ranch Resident: $10 Nonresident: $12 (Discounted group rates available )

Wildlife Detectives Ages 7-10

Highlands Ranch Metro District Nature Camp Ages 7-10 June 19-23 or July 17-21 p.m.

Cops and Bobbers

Ages 6-14

Friday, May 19

8-11 a.m.

Saturday, July 15 8-11 a.m.

Sunday, May 28 12:30-2 p.m.

Introduction to Geocaching Ages 11-14

Sunday, June 11 Noon-2 p.m.

Does your child like to fish, explore the outdoors and learn about wildlife? Then this is the camp for them! Two sessions of week-long Nature Camp are offered each summer from 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Fly’n B Park.

Fee: Resident: $130 Nonresident: $150

Don’t miss out on free Pop-Up Nature Centers in our parks! Follow our Facebook page for future dates and locations.

@HighlandsRanchMetroDistrict

Visit highlandsranch.org/signmeup to learn more details and register

The Metro District continuously evaluates programs to provide quality activities for our participants For more information about program specifics, please call 303-791-2710 or email recreationinfo@highlandsranch org

Scholarships are available for youth recreation programs, thanks to support from the Highlands Ranch Park & Recreation Foundation For information, visit highlandsranch.org/scholarships

Youth Sports

Rugby

Ages 5-17

Practices are Mondays and Wednesdays beginning May 1; games are Saturdays

Fee: $190 Flag $220 Tackle $220 Middle school girls tackle

Some age groups have weight limitations Please visit highlandsranch.org or ranchrugby.org for details

Registration deadline: Monday, April 24

Lacrosse

Introductory Lacrosse Programs

Ages 6-14

All games held at Marcy Park lower field

Fee: Resident: $75 Nonresident: $86

Spring – April 8, 15, 22, 29 10-11 a .m

Registration deadline: Friday, March 31

Summer – July 8, 15, 22, 29 10-11 a .m

Registration deadline: Friday, June 30

Youth Learn to Play

Learn to Play Disc Golf – Ages 8-12

Fee: Resident: $15 Nonresident: $18

Thursday, June 8 4-5 p m West Fork Disc Golf Course

Registration deadline: Friday before class begins

Skyhawks Sports Camps

Ages 4-14

For descriptions, activity numbers, and to register for a Skyhawks Sports Camp, visit highlandsranch.org .

Registration for Skyhawks programs will be accepted until camp is full or seven days before the camp starts

Start Smart Sports – NEW

Ages 3-5

Kids and parents will learn the fundamental skills of the sport, while having fun and making new friends .

Fee: Resident: $85 Nonresident: $97

Thursdays, June 1-29

Soccer 8:15-9 a m Redstone Park Baseball 9:15-10 a m Redstone Park

Registration deadline: Thursday, May 25

T-ball, Baseball & Softball

Youth T-ball, Baseball, & Girls Softball – Summer

Last chance to register for the 2023 season

Ages 4-14 (Age as of July 31, 2023)

Fee: Ranges from $96 – $165 depending on age and league division League runs from May 22-Aug 5

View all league details and full descriptions at highlandsranch.org/ baseballsoftball or call the recreation staff at 303-791-2710 .

Registration deadline: Tuesday, April 18 or until leagues are full

Weekday T-ball League – Ages 4-6 (Age as of July 31, 2023)

This T-ball league has no Saturday games

Fee: Resident: $86 Nonresident: $99

Registration deadline: Friday, May 5 or until leagues are full Choose either a Monday/Wednesday league or a Tuesday/Thursday league May 31-July 13

Baseball & Softball Clinics

The Metro District is proud to offer clinics in association with Diamond Club Training

Skills Clinic – Ages 6-14

Fee: Resident: $60 Nonresident: $69

Sunday, April 23 9 a m -noon Redstone Park

Pitching Clinic – Ages 7-14

Fee: Resident: $50 Nonresident: $57

Sunday, April 23 1-3 p m Redstone Park

Registration deadline: Monday, April 19

Summer Baseball Camp – Ages 7-12

Fee: Resident: $135 Nonresident: $155

May 30-June 1 9 a m -noon Northridge Park

July 17-19 9 a m -noon Redstone Park

Registration deadline: Monday before camp starts

Fall Competitive Youth Baseball – Ages 7-14, Team Registration Only

Season runs from Aug 7 to Oct 29

Team Fee:* Ages 7-8: $1,650 per team

Ages 9-10: $1,850 per team

Ages 11-14: $2,000 per team

*Age as of May 1, 2024

To register a team, contact Luke Ruter at 720-240-5912 .

Registration deadline: Tuesday, July 25

Draft Day for individual players will be held Sunday, July 30 at Redstone Park

Youth

Baseball & Softball Umpires Needed

A great summer job! Please visit highlandsranch.org/jobs to learn more and to apply

Horseback Riding Lessons

– Youth & Adult

All lessons will be held at Stockton’s Plum Creek Stables, 7479 W Titan Road

For descriptions and program dates, visit highlandsranch.org

Saturday Intro to Horses - Ages 8-Adult

Kiddie Corral - Ages 5-7

Beginning & Intermediate Horsemanship - Ages 8-15