With the arrival of fall, it’s time to prune your trees and shrubs. But before you place tree branches and other woody plants out for trash collection, consider recycling these materials at the Highlands Ranch Metro District’s recycling event Sunday, October 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Shea Stadium parking lot, 3280 Redstone Park Circle. 

Tree limbs less than 12 inches in diameter and woody plant materials will be accepted at the recycling event. The following items will not be accepted:  Finished lumber, non-woody material, grass clippings, sod and root balls. In addition to tree recycling, free mulch will be available to Highlands Ranch residents. 

The Metro District will also host a Christmas tree recycling event from late December through mid-January. For more information about tree recycling in Highlands Ranch, please call 303-791-2710. 

Join the Metro District for Dog Park Chats throughout the month of October

The Highlands Ranch Metro District invites the community to Dog Park Chats at each of the four designated dog parks in Highlands Ranch. Metro District Park Rangers and open space staff will visit with dog owners and answer questions. Park visitors will also have the opportunity to partner with Metro District staff to clean up the dog parks.  

Dog Park Chats scheduled for October include:

Rover’s Run Dog Park at Redstone Park, Tuesday, October 13 from 5 – 6 p.m.
Fido’s Field Dog Park at Foothills Park, Thursday, October 15 from  5 – 6 p.m.
Digger’s Dog Park at Dad Clark Park, Tuesday, October 20 from 5 – 6 p.m.
Hound Hill at Highland Heritage Park, Tuesday, October 27 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

For more information about the dog park clean up days, and for directions to the dog parks, please click here, or call 303-791-2710.

Which animals are out and about while you’re sleeping?  Learn the special adaptations of these critters that come out at night on Monday, October 19 from 10 until 10:45 a.m.  Make an owl craft to take home!  This program is designed with the little ones in mind.  Your child will learn about nature through stories, hands-on activities, nature walks and crafts.  Children ages three through five must be accompanied by a parent.  A snack will be provided.  Please dress appropriately for outdoor activities.   Class is held at the Metro District Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Service Center at 3280 Redstone Park Circle.  Activity #205101-C.  Fee:  Resident: $6  Non-resident: $7  For more information, please call 303-791-2710.

Highlands Ranch Metro District 2010 Budget
The Metro District is in the process of preparing the 2010 Budget.  Copies of the Metro District’s proposed budgets will be available at www.highlandsranch.org, or at the Metro District’s office at 62 West Plaza Drive in Highlands Ranch for review beginning Thursday, October 15.   A public hearing on the budget and rate change, if any, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24 at the Highlands Ranch Metro District Office Building at 62 W. Plaza Drive.  The Board of Directors will vote on the proposed budget on Monday, December 14 at 7 p.m. 

Centennial Water & Sanitation District 2010 Budget
Centennial Water is in the process of preparing the 2010 Budget.  Copies of Centennial Water’s proposed budgets and rates will be available at www.highlandsranch.org, or at Centennial Water’s office at 62 West Plaza Drive in Highlands Ranch for review beginning Thursday, October 15.   A public hearing for the budget will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 30 at the Centennial Water & Sanitation District Office Building at 62 W. Plaza Drive.  The Board of Directors will vote on the proposed budget at the December board meeting.

At their September board meeting, the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors unanimously voted to direct the organization’s general manager to negotiate with Shea Homes to acquire the Highlands Ranch Mansion with the intent to restore/renovate and open it for the public benefit.  The Metro District hopes to complete Mansion negotiations by March 2010.  The Metro District began a Mansion Evaluation Process in October 2008.  A feasibility study was conducted to evaluate owning, renovating and operating the Highlands Ranch Mansion. The study looked at renovation costs and conducted a citizen survey to gather input. The survey results reported more than 88 percent of respondents support the Metro District owning, operating and renovating the mansion for community use.  For more information about the Mansion Evaluation Process, please visit the Mansion page at www.highlandsranch.org, or send an email message to info@highlandsranch.org and subscribe to electronic Mansion updates.

The Highlands Ranch Metro District is seeking volunteers to help at the annual Holiday Celebration at the Highlands Ranch Mansion on Saturday, December 5.  Shifts are available for a variety of positions from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for morning, afternoon and all-day shifts, and the majority of the activities are outside.

Help the Metro District celebrate the holidays by running reindeer games, writing letters to Santa, narrating hayrides, dressing as the Grinch or elves and more!  This is the perfect opportunity for high school students who need to complete community service requirements for graduation.  To learn more, please contact Jenn Garber at the Metro District at 720-240-4909, or send an e-mail to jgarber@highlandsranch.org.