A Quick Guide to Parker Colorado
For those looking for a first hand peek into Colorado’s settlement history, the town of Parker has preserved its landmarks. Where once native settlers camped along the banks of Cherry Creek, residents and visitors can bike or hike along the same trail. The town was established early on by a one room trading post and mail depot in 1863. When settlers came looking for gold that same one room house become like the Plymouth Rock of Parker. Known as the 20 Mile House because of its distance from Denver, the structure was expanded and eventually sold in 1874 to the town’s founder James S. Parker.
J.S Parker built the first schoolhouse and opened up the land to roads, telegraphs lines and railroads. Like much of the west, it had its boom but Parker did not become an incorporated town until 1981. Since then, when there were only 285 residents, the city of Parker has annexed several surrounding areas becoming one of the fastest growing towns in Douglas County.
Local Fare
It’s not exactly an over-night tourist town, but makes for an enjoyable day stay. Parker is centrally located between the city lights of Denver and the Southern draw of Castle Rock and Colorado Springs. About 40,000 residents are spread across a diverse landscape of ranch style housing, covenant communities and stylish apartments. Though most homeowners are commuters to the Denver Tech Center, Meridian Business Center and Downtown Denver, the town’s largest employers are the two hospitals, 3 King Soopers supermarkets, Oralabs Corporation, Town of Parker city workers and Wal-Mart.
With several major shopping centers, Parker’s small business community is thriving. Healthcare products, real estate, technology, construction, retail and numerous others offer plenty of options in the town’s economic base. Many residents were drawn to Parker for the future of their children, as Douglas County schools are the highest regarded in the state. Over 15 Public elementary, Middle and charter schools, two high schools and the state of the art University of Chaparral, offer top-notch education and facilities.
Though thats the surface of Parker and much of it’s quiet, small town presence is owed to the relisious community. A Protestant church was one of the first build in Parker in 1913, with a community built Catholic base soon to follow. That first church, The Ruth Memorial Chapel, still stands today dressing downtown’s main street with a nostalgic touch. That early tradition of community building has carried over the years as many of the churches today are deeply committed to keeping Parker a tight knit community. With over thirty Churches of different denominations, they all offer family activities and services. One highlight is The Parker United Methodist Church’s community production of Handel’s Messiah in December.
Entertainment and Dinning
There are over 40 restaurants to choose from, including many major chains such as Applebee’s, Blacked Peas, Le Peeps, The Texas Roadhouse and the fast food staples. There is a fair share of great Mexican dining such as Guadalajara and Los Volcanoes, or Asian with Kimono Sushi, Mark Pi’s, or Cherry Village. For local cream of the crop, natives will point you in the direction of the Warhorse Inn, with American, Mexican cuisine and comfort foods. The Warhorse is a historic building on Downtown’s main street and right next to other local favorite the Tailgate Tavern and Grill. Right across the way is the elegant, upbeat Vine, a wine bar or if coffee’s more your palette’s pleasure, then the cozy 20 Mile Coffee House has plenty of treats. Aside from the local bars such B B’s Bistro & Bar, which also has a spectacular menu, the Coffee house, English Tea Leaves, Peaberry’s Coffee or the Cookie Jar all keep early hours, but are worth the trip to make it during the day. And of course there’s a Starbucks, and other expected suburban delights such as Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, Pet Smart and most of the big box anchor stores, but thats if shopping is your entertainment.
Parker’s original movie theater closed shop, but to great avail when Colorado Theaters opened the multiplex 20 Mile Stadium Theaters, 303-840-2695. The Parker Public Library, http://douglas.lib.co.us/, also has plenty of cultural, family and kids activities, including movie nights. There are sometimes festivals or art fairs held by the Parker Artist Guild, http://www.parkerartistsguild.com, throughout the year.
There are plans in the works for a new community recreation center that will house a theater and new library downtown and also development of an entertainment complex that will boast bowling, laser tag, an arcade and then some.
Sport and Recreation
For the more physically inclined, indoor rec centers and 12 miles of the Cherry Creek Bike Trail lay the challenge year round. Many housing developments were built around having easy access to the trail and one of the 8 area Golf Courses.
The Parker Recreation Center, 303-841-4500, offers an indoor pool where kids can make a splash on the water slide. It also houses 3 lighted ball fields, a multipurpose sports field, a skateboard park and three roller hockey rinks. Additional to the many courses and programs at the rec center, Parker has a number of dance, martial arts and yoga studios. In the summer the H2O’Brien Water Park, 720-851-5873, is a destination for all kids right in O’Brien Park, which also has a ball field, picnic area, and gazebo that often hosts summer concerts. There were once more horses than people in Parker, but Salisbury Equestrian Park has kept that spirit alive and they bring many community events throughout the year.
Annual Attractions
Perhaps Parker’s biggest draw of visitor comes during the annual Country Festival in June, attracting up to 80,000 people over the weekend’s festivities. Ride and game amenities for the adults and kids alike accompany food, music and a parade. There is also the Taste of Parker, a food festival featuring local restaurants and vendors held annually in September. Another tasty perk is the seasonal Farmers Market with many local vegetable farmers, beef ranchers, and local craft vendors, http://www.laughingdogfarms.net.
Resources and Infrastructure
The major highway and toll road the passes through Parker is E-470 with an exit at Jordan Road and Parker Road. E-470 is also the route for a quick 30-minute drive to Denver International Airport. The exit for Parker off Interstate 25 (I-25) is Lincoln road on the border of Lonetree and Parker. Right off that exit is access to one of 2 brand new multi-million dollar hospitals in Parker; the helipad equipped Sky Ridge Medical Center and is less than 10 minutes west of Parker. The other is Parker Adventist Hospital with a trauma center, surgical suites, diagnostic, imaging and cardiac services. Both hospitals have extensive expansion planned for the near future. RTD, http://www.rtd-denver.com, public transportation has several stops in Parker, but the schedule is limited and buses leave early morning and return early evening, with not many mid-day stops in town. The Nearest lodging is available at Microtel Inn & Suites (720) 851-2644 and also the Hilton Garden Inn in Meridian business district less than ten minutes away, (303) 706-1118.
On the Web:
http://www.parkeronline.org
http://www.parkercolorado.org/
http://www.parkercolorado.net/
http://www.allthingsparker.com
http://www.parkerchronicle.com
In Print:
“A Folk History of Parker and HIlltop” by Sandy Whelchel
