Town Council continued its efforts to preserve open space for recreation and environmental preservation Tuesday when it voted unanimously to acquire 82 acres of open space, which will help complete a critical link in a much larger trail effort.

The acquired land is at the end of South Perry Street. It is one of the last pieces of the original Philip S. Miller Ranch, which was annexed in 1980 and encompassed much of the south end of Castle Rock.

The space is home to wildlife and provides beautiful views of Pikes Peak. All but about a dozen acres of the land is floodplain and/or habitat for the federally endangered mouse, making most of it undevelopable except for trails and underground utilities.

Eventually, the Colorado Front Range Trail will connect a series of trails along the Front Range from Wyoming to New Mexico. As part of the Front Range Trail corridor, this land is an important regional link from the core part of Castle Rock to the Crystal Valley Ranch area along East Plum Creek Trail.
“This beautiful piece of property has a lot to offer,” said Councilwoman Jennifer Green, who represents Town Council on the Parks and Recreation Commission. “Thanks to a partnership between the Town and Douglas County, this area will be a great asset to Castle Rock residents and to everyone who uses the Colorado Front Range Trail in the future.”
The total cost of this acquisition is $400,000. Douglas County will contribute $132,000, and the Town will pay $268,000 from the existing Conservation Trust Fund.

Specifically, the money in the fund that will pay for this purchase is proceeds from the Town’s sale of 2.5 acres of land near Founders Parkway and Allen Street, where new businesses such as Panera Bread and Noodles and Co. currently sit.

Questions? Contact Parks and Recreation Director Rob Hanna, 303-814-7445 or rhanna@CRgov.com.