Parker

Overview 

Parker, Colorado is an award-winning community considered the most southeastern suburb of Denver metro by many, of nearly 60,000 residents. In the past 5 years, Parker has been recognized as "The best work-from-home places", "Best Place to Raise a Family", "Best Small City in America, "Healthiest City in America", and "Safest City in America". Twenty miles from Downtown Denver and less than thirty minutes from DIA,  it's no wonder why Parker residents love their town. 

Things to Do in Parker 

One thing that you'll find is common with almost every business and attraction in Parker is that it's centered around family. Parker Rec manages so many beautiful parks, facilities, and trails in Parker, it's not hard to figure out why this small charming community has been touted as one of the best places in America to live. Parker. 

The vibrant downtown area in Parker is always filled with happy people, strolling through the Farmer's Market and Summer Wine Walks, or the annual Parker Days Festival, Art Festival, or other community events. 

Discovery Park and ICE Trail – Located next to the town’s library, this new park hosts free performances throughout the year. Parker Ice Trail is one of few like it in the country. A frozen lazy river, the trail is available during winter, seven days a week. During the summer months, a Fountain attracts a lot of locals as popular spot to hang out after a trip to the library and picnic and play in the splash pad. With its programmable water jets and color-changing LED lights, the fountain is a beautiful addition to Parker's Art scene. 

Parker Arts & Cultural Events Center (PACE) - located across from Discovery Park, PACE is a popular destination. 

The PACE Center has different sections dedicated to art and science. It has a 536-seat theatre, 250-seat amphitheater, event room, art gallery, dance studio, culinary kitchen, and classrooms. PACE Center holds several shows like the 7th Annual Brass Festival, ballet shows, summer concerts, and even the Miss Colorado beauty pageant.The center also has two professionally curated galleries that exhibit artworks from local and national artists that range from paintings, sculptures and photography. They also offer educational programs that the younger audience will enjoy such as their Family Discovery Series and Parker Arts Classes.

Salisbury Equestrian Park & Sports Complex - This park serves Parker's equestrian community, as well as a variety of youth and adult sports leagues. Equestrian features include an arena grandstand and a new lighted arena. Youth baseball fields sponsored by the Colorado Rockies, ADA accessible playground, access to Cherry Creek Trail via the McCabe Meadows trailhead combined make this a frequent meeting place for Parker residents. 

O'Brien Park and Water Park- 

Located in Old Town Parker, this park includes a softball field, basketball courts, two playground areas, an outdoor pool with slides and a variety of water features, a shade structure with tables, a lighted plaza area with tables and public restrooms. O'Brien Park's gazebo serves as the backdrop for many Parker events, including outdoor concerts, Parker's summer festival, Parker Days, Art Festival and the Mayor's Holiday Lighting.

Parker Fieldhouse

Parker Raquetball Club

Parker has many parks and recreational programs for all ages. Explore their page at https://parkerrec.com/ to learn about their various Youth Sports programs, Facilities and opportunities available. 

Reuter-Hess Reservoir

Parker's newest recreational opportunity sits between Parker and Castle Pines along Hess Road. Although public access to most of the park currently requires registration, this body of water will provide hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails in the future. Currently, you can visit the Rueter-Hess Incline daily without registration.  Outstanding local participation was instrumental in creating the reservoir’s recreation master plan (PDF). Upon the reservoir opening in the future, the public will be invited to experience what the land has to offer through exploring trails, engaging with the water, and learning in an environment dedicated to providing healthy habitats and a clean water supply. The master plan includes locations to take an archery class, learn to canoe, and identify native plant and animal species on an accessible prairie walk. In the years to come, visitors will be able to connect with local history throughout the property via trails and signage. Whether it is on cross-country skis, the incline challenge or the sledding hill, people visiting the property will have a way to interact with their community and enjoy the outdoors year-round. Although the reservoir is not currently open, in general, to the public, you can follow the capital projects, programs and events happening "today" at RHRecreation.

Looking for a local event source? Check out their local calendar of events or their latest copy of Parker Vistor's Guide!

Getting Around

There are several public transportation options available in Parker. Local RTD routes serving the Town of Parker include:

• Parker FlexRide: Provides local curb-to-curb bus service in limited areas of Parker.
• Route P: (Parker / Denver): Provides commuter service to downtown Denver.
  Route P Service Suspended by RTD Until Further Notice Due to COVID-19
• Route 483: (Parker Road / Lincoln Ave): Provides commuter service to the Lincoln Light Rail station and the Nine Mail Light Rail Station in Aurora. This new route replaced both Route 410 and Route 153.
  Route 483 Service Suspended by RTD Until Further Notice Due to COVID-19
• Access-a-Ride: Provides service to residents with disabilities; pick-up locations are limited to locations within ¾ mile of a fixed route.
• Park-n-Ride: Lincoln and Jordan Park-n-Ride map or Downtown Parker Park-n-Ride map

 With easy access to I-25, E470/C470, and Highway 83, getting around Parker and to neighboring suburbs of DTC, Aurora, Castle Rock, and Lone Tree is easy. And with two RTD Light Rail stations just a short drive away, Parker is an easy commute to just about anywhere you want to go in the Denver Metro area. 

Doing Business in Parker

Parker’s thriving economy, robust business center, family-friendly environment, great schools, and extensive cultural and recreational activities are the reasons why CNN Money rated us #2 on the 2020 Best Places to Live in America list. We invite you to come explore and discover why Parker is a wonderful place to call home.

According to BestPlaces.Net: 

Economic Development

 education, short commutes, and a feeling of "life outside the city". Heritage Hills is within walking distance from Lincoln Statio, just minutes from the I-25, C470, and E470 corridors, and less than 10 minutes from DTC.