Disc Golf Survey
We conducted a survey in May 2022 regarding the disc/frisbee golf course to help drive future planning and decisions for the course. The course is operated by the Ken-Caryl Metropolitan District and is therefore open to the public since taxpayer dollars are used for operation. There have been recent complaints about behavior on the course, such as after-hours use, drug/alcohol use, loud music, etc. We are striving to address the concerns while also hearing about what is going well and what could be improved upon. The survey results are available at the buttons below. The first file is a summary of the responses from KC Residents, the second file is a summary of all responses received (Residents & Non-Residents).
Playground Replacements
Bradford Park, Brannon Gearhart Park and Settlement Park
Bradford Park, Brannon Gearhart Park and Settlement Park are all getting new playground equipment. Planning and design selection will continue throughout 2023. Installation is planned for 2024.
New playground equipment was installed in North Ranch Park and Territory Park in Spring 2023.
Acres of Outdoor Enjoyment
KCR Parks
Our parks offer playgrounds, baseball diamonds, soccer fields and volleyball courts for the enjoyment of the residents of the District. The Ranch House Picnic Area and Community Park Picnic Shelter can be reserved for parties and groups. Please see our Park & Picnic Area Reservations for additional information.
Locations
BRADFORD PARK
Location:
- 2.7 Acre Park
- Outdoor Swimming and Wading Pool
- 2 Tennis Courts (unlighted)
- 1 Sand Volleyball Court
- Playground
- Picnic Area
- Hiking Trails
- Seasonal Restrooms, Portable Toilet & Lockers
- Historic Bradford House
BRANNON-GEARHART PARK
Location:
- 2.2 Acre Park
- 1 Playground
- Picnic Areas (4 tables)
- Pond
COMMUNITY CENTER
Location:
- 11.7 acres
- 6 Outdoor Tennis Courts
- 4 Indoor Tennis Courts
- Outdoor 25 meter swimming pool, wading pool and water slide
- Restrooms
- Playground
- Trails
- Community Garden
COMMUNITY PARK
Location:
- 22 Acre Park
- Playground
- 4 Full Sized Soccer Fields
- 2 Baseball Fields
- Picnic Area
- Covered Pavilion Shelter (5 picnic tables)
- 2 Picnic Tables in the Prairie Meadow Park Section
- Seasonal Portable Toilets
DISC GOLF
Location:
- Ken-Caryl Ranch has a 9-hole Disc Golf Course at the Ranch House
- The course is open every day and closes at dark
- The course is free
EQUESTRIAN CENTER/DAKOTA LODGE
Location:
- 17 Acres (including equestrian facilities and pastures)
- Playground
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms
- Trails
- Fishing Pond
HEIRLOOM PARK
Location:
- 2.5 Acre Park
- Multi-Use Play Field
- Playground
- Basketball Court
- Picnic Area (2 tables)
- Street Parking Only
NORTH RANCH PARK
Location:
- 8.4 Acre Park
- Multi-Use Field
- Picnic Shelter with 2 tables
- 1 Playground
- Trails
RANCH HOUSE PARK
Location:
- Ten Tennis Courts (7 lighted)
- 25-Meter Swimming Pool and Wading Pool
- 2-Soccer Fields
- Baseball Field
- Outdoor Basketball Court
- Disc Golf Course
- Playground Area
- Picnic Area
- Outdoor Sand Volleyball Court
- Restrooms
SETTLEMENT POND PARK
Location:
- 11 Acre Park
- Playground
- 5 Picnic Tables
- Street Parking Only
TERRITORY PARK
Location:
- 2.75 Acre Park
- Playground (new playground coming in 2023!)
- 1 Picnic Table
Contribute to your community
Adopt a Park or Greenbelt
The Adopt a Park or Greenbelt Program is a great way for individuals and all types of organizations – homeowners associations, religious organizations, schools, private businesses, non-profits and corporations – to adopt an area within our community that needs care and attention. By committing your valuable time and energy, you will help support cleaner, safer and more beautiful parks, trails, and greenbelts.
Each area will have different needs such as sweeping, litter removal, flower bed maintenance, and general clean-up. Occasional painting, small maintenance projects, and plantings may be needed on a less continuous basis. A little time and elbow grease are all that are needed for you to help make our District properties more inviting and safer. If you have any questions, please contact Richard Plack at richardp@kcranch.org.
Honor a loved one
Memorial Bench Program
The Memorial Bench Program allows residents to buy a bench in honor of a loved one who has passed. Memorial benches are 6-foot long black metal benches with two armrests and are set on a concrete pad. An optional plaque is also available. The location is to be mutually agreed upon with the Parks Department in a park, greenbelt or by a facility. Existing benches can be seen behind the Ranch House, Community Park, Heirloom Park, or Community Garden behind the Community Center.
The cost of a memorial bench is $1,600 without a plaque or $2,000 with a plaque.
Contact Richard Plack at 303-979-1876, ext. 300, or richardp@kcranch.org for more information.
Give new life to memories
Memorial Tree Program
The Memorial Tree Program enables people to give new life to their memories by planting a tree. The legacy established by the planting of a tree may welcome the birth of a child, recognize a personal milestone, or acknowledge the loss of a loved one. Whether the reason is intimate or public, this visible reminder will provide shade and beauty for future generations to enjoy. A name plate will be added to an existing memorial plaque at the Ken-Caryl Ranch House.
Prices range from $250 to $400 depending on the type of tree selected.Trees may be planted at Ken-Caryl Ranch facilities, parks and greenbelts. Because of the absence of water, no trees may be planted in the Open Space. All reasonable requests will be considered.
Contact Richard Plack at 303-979-1876, ext. 300, or richardp@kcranch.org for information on these and other types of suitable trees.
The Parks Department will select a tree of the donor’s choice, which is then planted in the desired location. Suitable trees include:
- Spruce 6′-8′
- Pine 6′-8′
- Linden 2”
- Maple 2”
- Oaks 2”
- Thornless Honeylocust 2”
- Catalpa 2”
- Kentucky Coffeetree 2”
For more information or to donate a Memorial Tree, please view the Memorial Tree Donor Form.
Model Airplane / Drone Permits
Recreational drones and model planes are permitted ONLY in Community Park (across from Shaffer Elementary) and require a free annual permit. Please use the button below to secure a permit.
Park Maintenance
Report a Problem
The Parks Department is responsible for maintaining the parks and facilities located on Ken-Caryl Ranch. If you see a problem (broken sprinklers or irrigation pipe, damaged fences, landscape lights that are out, tree damage, etc.) or feel that a situation needs to be brought to the attention of the parks staff, please contact Richard Plack at richardp@kcranch.org 303-979-1876 ext. 300. If the situation needs immediate attention and cannot wait until the following business day, you can call after hours at 303- 979-1876 ext 320.
Snow Removal
Snow removal for most roadways within Ken-Caryl Ranch is provided by the Jefferson County Road and Bridge Department. You may reach Jefferson County Road and Bridge at 303-271-5200. The Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District Parks Department is responsible for snow removal on Ranch-owned property. If you have any questions or you feel an area has not been addressed according to the following plan please contact Richard Plack at richardp@kcranch.org or 303-979-1876, ext. 300.
Sprinkler System Repair
The Metropolitan District Parks Department operates and maintains the sprinkler system that provides water to approximately 135 acres of parks and greenbelts that make up the parks system in Ken-Caryl Ranch. The irrigation crew inspects each valve and head on the system on a two-week schedule and makes any needed adjustments or repairs at that time.
We incorporate three different styles of sprinkler heads on the system. For the park areas, gear driven or impact style heads are used. These are large radius and high volume sprinklers that provide even distribution over a large area. For the smaller and narrower turf sites, the more common and recognizable spray heads are used. These sprinklers are spaced closer together, are adjustable from 20 degrees to 360 degrees, and produce a fan spray. The third style and perhaps the least known are the drip/bubbler emitters. These are used in gardens, small planting sites and areas that are not conducive to the overhead watering styles. This system discharges the water very slowly and applies it directly to the base of the plant eliminating wind drift and over-spray.
The goal is to have the system work as efficiently as possible but, with anything that is mechanical, failures do occur. We appreciate any observations that you make regarding the operation of the sprinkler system since the potential for failure is in the evening hours when the sprinklers are programmed to run. For more information, please contact Richard Plack at richardp@kcranch.org or 303-979-1876 ext. 300.
Playing Field Maintenance
The Metropolitan District currently maintains eleven soccer fields and three baseball/softball fields. Eight soccer fields and two baseball fields are located in the Community Park on Sangre de Cristo Rd. north of Chatfield Ave. At the Ranch House you will find two soccer fields and the third baseball field. Another soccer field is located in the North Ranch Park.
The Parks Department maintains all of these fields on a year-round schedule. The fields are aerated and fertilized twice each year, once in the spring and also in the fall. The grass is mowed weekly to a height of 3 inches and watered as frequently as the current water restrictions will allow. Because of the space provided at the Community Park we are able to reconfigure the fields each season to minimize wear as much as possible.
The baseball fields are comprised of skinned infields with backstops and fenced dugout areas. Each field is graded and leveled in the spring before scheduled play begins and then three times each week we smooth the infields using a drag mat and water them lightly to aid in compaction and to provide a safe playing surface.
Vandalism
Stay alert for signs and sounds of vandalism in your local park and on pathways. If you see someone vandalizing your park, athletic fields or playground equipment, please call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department immediately at 303-277-0211. If you notice park property or playground equipment has been broken or vandalized, please contact Richard Plack at richardp@kcranch.org or 303-979-1876 ext. 300.
For the community’s sake, report vandalism when you see it. You will be helping reduce needless destruction of property and, at the same time, putting your money to work where it is needed. The Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District offers a reward of $100 for information leading to the arrest of perpetrators.
Parks & Maintenance Shop
The Ken-Caryl Ranch Maintenance Shop is the home of the Metro District’s Parks Department. Located in the Business Center at 8391 S. Continental Divide Road, the 5,700 square foot facility provides office and storage space, inside work areas, and fleet maintenance areas for the 10 full-time and as many as 20 seasonal Parks employees. After occupying a small building at the Equestrian Center for many years, the Parks crew moved into this facility in the fall of 2000. The acre-and-a-half facility includes parking space for the department’s fleet of vehicles and equipment, commodity bins for wood mulch, topsoil and crushed rocks, a diesel tank for tractor fueling and covered storage for lumber, hand tools, and sprinkler pipe. The landscaping was designed and installed by Parks employees and demonstrates how beautiful water-wise gardening can be.