The Castle Pines Parks Authority is a governmental alliance that brings together all of the various entities needed to plan, fund and build active parks and recreation facilities for Castle Pines North. CPN representative control the Board of Directors, which has representation from each of the entities; the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District and the CPN Master Association, the Castle Pines North Foundation, and Douglas County. The Board also has an "at-large" member who must be a CPN resident.

Open meeting - Every meeting begins with an Open Forum for residents.

Board Members -
President: Judy Dahl
CPN Metro District

CPN Master Assoc. Member: Linda Nuzum

CPN Foundation Member: Sandy Colling

Douglas County Member: Ron Benson

At-Large Member: Darwin Horan

Key Contact -
Judy Dahl, President
CP Parks Authority
303-688-8550

Once the new park or recreation facility is built, the CPN Metro District takes over operations and maintenance.

In the late 1990's, CPN's community organizations identified the need for more active recreation opportunities in our community. Some of the needs (such as trails) were already planned, but the plan recognized that a new legal entity (the Parks Authority) would be needed meet the other needs. Following is a summary of how each the needs identified in the Plan would be met; (see Open Space News for current status).

Trails have always been an important part of the plans for the CPN area, and were included in the master plan for meeting CPN's recreation needs. An extensive network of trails had already been included in the master plan for CPN, to be built by the developer of each area. The County will build regional trails with connections to our area (an East-West Regional Trail will be built in 2002, which will go through the open space to the north of us, over to Chatfield; eventually it will also tie in to the Cherry Creek regional trail near Parker. Another regional trail is planned along Daniels Park Road). Because trails were already planned, Parks Authority funds were focused on other community needs.

See the Area Map for the surrounding communities and open space

See the CPN Recreation Plan map for recreation sites.

See the CPN Trails map (an update is coming in 2002 and is being developed by Judy Dahl).

The first priority for the new Parks Authority was to build two new parks in our area, to be designed as a place for our neighbors to gather, not as a regional park for league play (the County is planning a new regional park in Highlands Ranch that will meet that need). CPN's parks would include playgrounds and ball fields that would give our kids (young and old) a place to practice. The Parks Authority began by inventorying available sites and preparing a multi-year plan for funding and building facilities, then it began work on building the parks.

• Coyote Ridge Park opened in August 2001.
• The second park in our plan, called simply "South Park" for now, will be built in the area just east of CPN's homes, north of the Parkway between the Community Center and the Montessori School.

(Read more about CPN Open Space)

Also in the vision for the Parks Authority was the potential for a community recreation center. As noted in the initial announcement of the Parks Authority, the Authority would "look at the possibility of a recreation center."

In 2002, a professional recreation planning consultant will conduct a feasibility study and an independent public opinion survey, so that CPN can decide if we wish to move forward with this idea. (Read more about this topic)

Funding will come from a variety of sources, including developers, homeowner dues, grants, and donations.

Developer Commitment
Once the Parks Authority was formed in 2000, parks fees from new developments in the CPN area were paid directly to CPN's Parks Authority, instead of going to the County's general parks fund. To date, CPN has received over a half million dollars from the commercial areas, the apartment complex, and homebuilders in our community.

Homeowner Commitment
The CPN Master Association had historically used some dues money for parks projects, but recognized that a long-range plan was needed. Once the Parks Authority was formed, the Master Association committed 70% of dues to the cause.

Grants and donations
The CPN Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization which will seek tax-deductible donations and grants for the construction and improvement of the parks. Fundraisers such as the 2001 Golf Tournament will be held. The Foundation or the Parks Authority may also pursue other funding sources, such as corporate grants to state GOCO funds.

The Authority meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m., at the Castle Pines North Community Center.