Tuesday, March 31 was an historic day for Highlands Ranch.  The Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors unanimously approved execution of the deeds that accepted ownership of the Mansion and Historic Park, previously owned by Shea Homes, the developer of Highlands Ranch.   

On the same day, the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners agreed that conveyance of the Highlands Ranch Historic Park and Mansion to the Metro District satisfies Shea Homes’ Development Guide commitments  for use of the property. The deeds were signed and the property was conveyed Friday, April 9.   

“We are proud to serve as stewards of the Mansion so the history of Highlands Ranch can be shared with our community, creating new memories of this special place for generations to come,” said Metro District General Manager Terry Nolan.  “Over the last 29 years, Shea Homes has contributed so much to Highlands Ranch in the form of water rights, public lands, and now the historic Mansion, a wonderful community landmark that can be appreciated by the entire community.”  

In accordance with the Highlands Ranch Development Guide, approved in 1979 before the first home was built in Highlands Ranch, the developer would vest ownership of the Highlands Ranch Mansion in entities which agree to make it available for the public benefit.   For more information about the Mansion, please click here. 

The Metro District Director Election will take place Tuesday, May 4.  Four seats are open, and five candidates are on the ballot.  Philip Cullen and Gary Herbella are the candidates in the Northwest region, Allen Dreher is the candidate for the Southeast region, Rick Owens is the candidate in the West Central region and Carolyn Schierholz is the candidate in the South Central region. To view a map outlining these regions, please visit www.highlandsranch.org. One director will be elected to a four‐year term for each of the four regions noted above.  The Metro District’s polling place is at the Metro District office at 62 W. Plaza Drive, located on the southwest corner of Broadway and Plaza Drive. Polls will be open Tuesday, May 4 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. If you signed up for a permanent mail‐in ballot through Douglas County, you should have already received your Metro District ballot in the mail.

Season Kick-off Event on Sunday, April 18

The batting cages will be open FREE all day, 1 until 8 p.m.  and Highlands Ranch High School Baseball Coach John Cackowski is hosting a FREE hitting clinic at 2 p.m.  Come practice your swing and learn about Metro District recreation programs.  For more information call 303-791-2710.

The Metro District was recently informed that Highlands Ranch has been named a Tree City USA for the twenty-second consecutive year.   

Highlands Ranch received this award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in the following activity areas:  Education and public relations; publicity; tree planting and maintenance; and recycling.  The Tree City USA program is sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.  

“For the past 22 years, the Highlands Ranch Metro District has shown a strong commitment to maintaining a quality urban forest,” said Dennis Donovan, forestry supervisor.  “We are extremely proud to have been named a Tree City USA for more than two decades.  Our suburban forest is healthy and continues to grow.”  

To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards:  Have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. 

The Highlands Ranch Metro District offers a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Whether you’re volunteering for a Scout project, completing high school community service requirements or just having fun, meeting people and becoming involved in your community, consider volunteering for one of our 2010 projects. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Jenn Garber at 720-240-4909, or at jgarber@highlandsranch.org.  Please click here for a PDF version of the guide. 

Centennial Water & Sanitation District will present Water Conservation Lunch and Learn Workshops as part of its water conservation program. Bring a brown-bag lunch and learn ways to wisely use water in and around your home. All classes will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Highlands Ranch Library, located at 9292 Ridgeline Boulevard, in Shea Room A. For more information, please contact Jon Klassen at 720-240-4917, or click here.

Planning a summer BBQ this year? Consider reserving a park shelter at your neighborhood park. With picnic tables, BBQ grills and playgrounds, Metro District parks are the perfect spot to plan your get together. And add fun to your party with a Picnic Pack! From lawn tennis, volleyball, to horseshoes, Picnic Packs are a fun and convenient addition to any event. Several rental packages are available. For more information about park shelter and Picnic Pack rentals click here.

Summer registration is now open for a variety of youth and adult sports. Kids can try out the new Track and Field program, and adults can sign up for new leagues including Dodgeball, Ultimate Frisbee and Wiffle Ball. These new programs add to the variety of sports offered by the Metro District. For a complete list of summer sports programs and to register, click here.