Major construction is complete at Toepfer Park, and direct access from the parking lot has reopened. Revegetation areas are still closed and are roped off. We’ll need your ongoing support to protect the park’s natural beauty.

The southern portion near the parking lot and areas around the playground have been reseeded with the Metro District’s open space grass mix. These tall, waterwise grasses stay true to our Front Range landscape — but they take years to fully establish.

Please be diligent and stay out of the roped-off areas. Pedestrian traffic, off-leash dogs, or e-bike tracks can damage young seedlings and compact the soil, making it harder for the grass to grow.

If you see any misuse, please let us know:

• From 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., call the ranger pager at 303-540-2311 and leave your number for a callback.
• After hours, if you see users causing disturbances or property damage, please call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 303-660-7505.
• In the case of any emergency, please dial 911.

Nice weather in August allowed for construction at Toepfer Park to make significant progress. The parking lot and striping of the lot are complete, with the lot currently open. The new restrooms also opened. The nature trail was completed, along with new sidewalks, new lighting and drinking fountain. Final grading also began.

September will also include some significant milestones, with the playground scheduled to go in toward the end of the month. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for more information as the project nears completion. 

Since construction began in early May, the work area at Toepfer Park has been fenced off for safety. Grading operations are now underway and will continue for several weeks. Site lighting installation is expected to begin in the next few weeks, along with grading and preparation for the play pit area concrete. 

The team is currently working through drainage details with Douglas County and water tap details with Highlands Ranch Water. The Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued in May, with a 180-day construction timeline scheduled through November. 

The existing restroom is scheduled for removal within the next month, and installation of the new restroom is planned for the week of June 30.

Final Plan

The final site plan for Toepfer Park Improvements has been approved by the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors and the Douglas County Planning Commission.

The final planned improvements to the park include:

• A total of 51 parking spaces including three van-accessible spaces that are compliant with ADA

•  A new 10’ wide trail to provide direct connection between the parking lot and the existing ball field to the east.

• An additional 20’ x 20’ shade shelter with picnic tables to accommodate up to 40 people

• Expanded playground with play equipment for both 2-5 and 5-12 years. Playground surfacing and ground level play components will be accessible. Please see rendering of playground replacement below.

• New benches, BBQ’s, bicycle racks and picnic tables.

• Replacing concrete paving around the existing 20’ x 20’ shelter with accessible ramp

• Replacement and relocation the existing vault toilet with a newer prefabricated concrete vault toilet building

• A new loop trail around the existing irrigated bluegrass field

• New energy efficient LED pedestrian and parking light fixtures 

• Please note: A dog park is not part of the final plan.

If you need assistance reading this final plan, or if you would like to request the information in a different format, please contact info@highlandsranch.org or call 303-791-0430.

Final plan map

Playground plans

The plan for playground replacement is a slight increase in the footprint for playground equipment. The plan includes: 

• Climbers
• Slides
• Hammock seat
• Spinning Chair
• A structure with STEM activities
• A connection swing
• Poured-in-place surface to improve accessibility.

Concept Plan

A two-week public comment period on the concept plan below was open to residents from June 5-19, 2024. The feedback survey received 145 responses.

Exhibits

Below are images of the informational boards shared during October 2023 meeting:

Community Feedback - October 2023

Download October 2023 feedback results (PDF)

Project history

In 2022, an additional 10 acres of land adjacent to the park was conveyed to the Metro District from the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, in partnership with the Douglas County School District. Approximately 3.6 acres of this land is being considered for possible improvements.

• The Metro District kicked off planning with a public meeting in October 2023 to gather input about potential park improvements.
• The Metro District Board of Directors approved funding for civil design services and development of conceptual landscape plans.
• Metro District staff and design consultants met during March 2024 to discuss conceptual planning. Consultants reviewed existing conditions, summary of public input gathered in 2023, and replacement of existing facilities (i.e. playground equipment, restroom, basketball court, and parking).
• The consultants presented preliminary conceptual ideas to staff for review.
• A concept plan was made available for public feedback during June 2024.  
• Metro District staff had a public meeting at the playground during August 2024 to solicit more feedback about new equipment for the playground.
• Metro District staff solicited additonal public feedback through a survey about the addition of a dog park in February 2025. The Metro District Board of Directors voted against including a dog park based on the survey results.
• The Douglas County Planning Commission approved the final plan for the park in March 2025. 
• Construction on the improvements began in May 2025.