Parker CO questions. (Denver, Castle Rock, Manitou Springs: rental, crime, felony)

[LoveBoating]

We have been living in Parker since April 2004. We live in a very nice/very quiet housing developement (built in 2000) right off of Hilltop. Except for the winter weather (fall on ice/snow and a surgery), which is making us sell our house and move now, living in Parker has been great. I work in downtown Denver and have no traffic problems making it into work by 7AM Mon-Fri.
There is a new Best Buy opening in Parker at the end of June 07, plus a new Staples going in beside it. In the past 2 years we have seen a big population increase and numerous houses/roads being built. The crime rate here is still fairly low, but with the population increase that is happening, that won't last
long.
Would I recommend Parker to live in........yes, BUT, just be aware of the population/traffic increase that is happening. We can truely see why some folks are/will be moving out due to the growth Parker is getting.

[Bunnylady]

Could I please get the stats on living in Parker? What is it like there?
How is the commute to I-25/Evans area? Are there many stables for
lessons and riding so that you don't have to own a horse? Opportunities
for other outdoor recreation easily accessible? Activities for teen-agers
plentiful? How are the schools and any alternative? Is it really worth
the extra drive/gas to Denver in order to live there? Thanks alot!

[Charles]

They got an inexpensive waterpark for little kids and young teens. Very crowded on hot days. We're heading there Sunday. It is called H2O'brien water park near 83 and Main Street. You can bring in your own food and drinks. Probably should bring your own beach type chair too as the chairs go fast there.

[AJJAS04]

Hello, here is some info for you.

Could I please get the stats on living in Parker? Parker is great!

Here are some links to helpful pages:


Facts and Statistics

The second link is the main link for the area.

There is a great recreation center and a new field house for plenty of activities and sports for teenagers. There are plenty of schools to choose from that even include Charter Schools. There is also a lot of building and houses for sale. We just moved here less than a year ago and we love it. There are walking trails that are miles long and plenty of businesses around but not too much. We also have our own theater that is never packed (at least it hasn't been for me yet).

What is it like there? It is like a small town, but with a lot of things to do. It is wonderful.

How is the commute to I-25/Evans area? It is really easy to get on I-25 from Parker, but I am not sure about the commute to Evans. We moved from DC, so I am very happy with traffic out here.

Are there many stables for lessons and riding so that you don't have to own a horse? I see horses all around. There is even a horse farm right down the street by the Target, but I am not sure about riding lessons. You could Google it. I am sure there are many ways to receive lessons.

Opportunities for other outdoor recreation easily accessible? Activities for teen-agers
Plentiful? Like I stated above, there are so many outdoor/indoor recreation activities and they just keep making more. Your teenagers will love the Parker Recreation Center and Field house. There is also a new gym called Life Fitness that is incredible and has plenty activities included.

How are the schools and any alternative? Yes, plenty.

Is it really worth the extra drive/gas to Denver in order to live there? Yes, you will love how peaceful Parker is, and I didn't even want to move here b/c I am an East Coast girl. Parker is wonderful. If you have any more questions just let me know.

[almost heaven]

I am visiting family for a few weeks and was curious if there is anything fun only locals know of happening in August? I have kids, 5 and 8 so family friendly things are good. Hopefully I can get my wife to open here eyes and invision us moving to Colorado.

[LoveBoating]

We live in Parker and believe us.......there is very little to do in Parker. However, we do have a small Park and a community swimming pool. Even though Parker does have a number of families with young kids, we have no idea where these families go for entertainment (other than the Park and pool). You have to leave Parker to even find a Chunky Cheeze place.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

We live in Parker and believe us.......there is very little to do in Parker. However, we do have a small Park and a community swimming pool. Even though Parker does have a number of families with young kids, we have no idea where these families go for entertainment (other than the Park and pool). You have to leave Parker to even find a Chunky Cheeze place.

I think the reference is to H2O'Brien water park at highway 83 and Mainstreet. It is perfect for your kids 5 and 8. My three girls 3, 5, 8 love it. Two long water slide tubes for people over 48" tall. Gets crowded on hot days, maybe bring your own beach chairs. You can bring in ice chests. Not expensive.

Also try Pirates Cove water park in Littleton about a half hour drive away. For your kids and bigger kids too.

If it isn't too hot try Castlewood Canyon State Park.

Rent horses somewhere.

Check out the Wildlife Experience in Parker, The Wildlife Experience

Drive to Colorado Springs and see a SkySox AAA baseball game. Roomy comfortable seats on the field for $9. Very nice. Great family crowds.

Drive up Pikes Peak. An absolute must.

Visit the Air Force Academy

Rocky Mountain National Park

Also try searching the calendar sections of local papers.

[almost heaven]

Thank you for the advice. I hope to be a colorage resident some day...

[CAMom]

Writing from Los Angeles, CA and waiting for our house to be finished in Parker, Co (Canterberry Crossing Developement) I feel I can add to this thread.

By no means do I want to come across and offend anyone but when the topic of traffic comes up I can't help but giggle at the fact that our traffic here totally outways the traffic there and it's coming across there worse than it is. But with respect to the locals I can understand why it may be bothersome when in recent years it's been less congested. It's nice to know that during rush hour it's really rush our vs. like here is't just rush hour all day and even at 1am sometimes.

I have yet to take the toll road as I enjoy the "traffic" in the area. Going 45 at 6 pm during "rush-hour" is a breeze compared to the 20 we go here the whole way home no matter how far the distance. It's like a UFO dropped everyone off at the same time and like a rubics cube you just can't line them up properly. I've been told of the growth there and how the locals might not like it but I can say for us and others we've met on this forum a lot of us are moving there to 'preserve' the goodness of it's area and the surrounding parts. We crave the family values and morals that once where here in our area. We just can't wait to enjoy wholesome living.

Hope this helps.

[sbrobbie]

The Traffic here IS NOTHING COMPARED to other cities, believe me. I am a native of Chicago, lived in Sherman Oaks Callie, Detroit area (poor me) and the traffic here is not the same. I live in Parker, and have for the past year, I still own my home in Littleton, and moved to Parker after having my daughter. This is a GREAT place to raise a family, it has a lot of support for people whom do have family in the area. This area was picked by money magazine as the 26th best place to live and there is a reason for it! Want to get to the airport fast, take Parker Road to 225 to I 70, it is that easy. You have more choices than what people think, and they are building a corridor from stroh ranch road. I live in South Parker, where traffic is minimal, and you still feel the fresh air. I am moving to Pittsburgh and I am beside myself, nothing is even close to what we have here in Parker. It is a great area to raise a child in, I love it here, and really sad we have to move.