Wildcat Regional Park is a proposed project located on 202 acres and adjacent to Highlands Ranch. Douglas County is currently exploring a plan that would include the construction of youth sports facilities, including multiple lighted baseball and soccer fields, along with an Olympic-sized swimming pool. This project conflicts with the community's longstanding commitment to preserving open spaces for passive recreation, conservation, and wildlife habitat protection, as outlined in Goal 1 of Douglas County’s 2020 Comprehensive Master Plan, to protect wildlife habitat and movement corridors and foster wildlife conservation.
As a community that values natural beauty and wildlife, developing Wildcat Regional Park for active sports fields could harm the delicate ecosystem and wildlife in the area. The Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) has been a steward of the surrounding 8,200 acres of open space for 15 years, promoting wildlife preservation and passive recreation—a model supported by the community.
The discussion of Wildcat Regional Park construction has spanned several years without implementation. During this time, HRCA has successfully managed these open spaces, striving to balance wildlife preservation, outdoor education, and passive recreation for residents.
In January 2025, High Note Regional Park in Lone Tree will break ground, featuring synthetic multi-purpose fields, sports courts, picnic areas, a stage, and an event lawn. The following year, Soaring Hawk Park will break ground on an expansive 74-acre park east of I-25. Soaring Hawk Park will offer sports courts, a pump track, and tennis and pickleball courts. Given these nearby developments, we believe three similar parks within a 10-mile radius are unnecessary.
Our Proposed Alternative
As an alternative, HRCA is proposing that Douglas County donate the Wildcat Regional Park land to HRCA and fund basic infrastructure such as utilities and a vehicle bridge off Monarch Blvd. HRCA would develop passive recreation opportunities, including an ADA-accessible 5K trail and bike-only trails open to all Douglas County residents. Additionally, HRCA could potentially relocate its Base Camp operations to an adjacent HRCA-owned parcel, offering horseback riding, training, and trail rides in other areas of the open space. An additional possibility would be to establish a conservation center on an adjacent HRCA-owned parcel to enhance outdoor education and conservation programming, creating a unique park experience for the Douglas County community.
We are committed to collaborating with Douglas County and neighboring communities and would appreciate the opportunity to further discuss this proposal to establish a legacy of conservation and education for future generations.