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Groups buy 167 acres at Castlewood Canyon
There is more room to play at Castlewood Canyon State Park near Franktown.
By By: Christine McManus
There is more room to play at Castlewood Canyon State Park near Franktown.
Several groups have worked together for a couple years to purchase 167 acres north of the state park. The open-space advocates wanted to "buffer" the state park from residential development nearby.
"The acquisition of this property preserves the critical northern gateway to Castlewood Canyon and buffers the park from encroaching residential development that would visually impact the park entrance and damage the natural qualities of the area," said Chris Leding, spokesperson for Great Outdoors Colorado.
GOCO contributed $392,000 toward the purchase. Colorado State Parks funnelled the GOCO money through, adding $195,500 of its own. Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources contributed $75,000, and the nonprofit group Friends of Castlewood Canyon contributed $75,000.
Castle Rock area residents Robert Metzler and Rosemary Metzler sold the property. They donated $100,000 of the $837,500 purchase price.
The recently acquired property is on the northern edge of the 1,287-acre state park, just south of Franktown.
The land will be open to the public as part of Castlewood Canyon State Park. The National Audubon Society said the property is an important area for birds.
Castlewood Canyon State Park is about 10 miles south of Parker on Colorado 83. Several trails - including a wheelchair accessible trail - wind through the canyon, part of the Black Forest and five ecosystems. A state parks pass is required on all vehicles entering the park. Daily passes are $4 and annual passes are $50; both are available at the gate. Many naturalist guided activities are open to nature enthusiasts of all ages, or hikers can explore the trails on their own.
GOCO receives more than $40 million every year in lottery proceeds. The board awards grants to local governments, land trusts, Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife for open space, park, wildlife, outdoor recreation and trail projects. GOCO said it has awarded $288 million for more than 1,700 projects across the state.
Douglas County Open Space receives money from a sales tax approved by voters in the early 1990s.
The Friends of Castlewood Canyon raised money through memberships, donations and fund-raising events with photographer John Fielder and by selling waterwise plants.
Years ago, members of the Metzler family also sold the land in northern Castle Rock where the Metzler Ranch neighborhood was developed.
Several groups have worked together for a couple years to purchase 167 acres north of the state park. The open-space advocates wanted to "buffer" the state park from residential development nearby.
"The acquisition of this property preserves the critical northern gateway to Castlewood Canyon and buffers the park from encroaching residential development that would visually impact the park entrance and damage the natural qualities of the area," said Chris Leding, spokesperson for Great Outdoors Colorado.
GOCO contributed $392,000 toward the purchase. Colorado State Parks funnelled the GOCO money through, adding $195,500 of its own. Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources contributed $75,000, and the nonprofit group Friends of Castlewood Canyon contributed $75,000.
Castle Rock area residents Robert Metzler and Rosemary Metzler sold the property. They donated $100,000 of the $837,500 purchase price.
The recently acquired property is on the northern edge of the 1,287-acre state park, just south of Franktown.
The land will be open to the public as part of Castlewood Canyon State Park. The National Audubon Society said the property is an important area for birds.
Castlewood Canyon State Park is about 10 miles south of Parker on Colorado 83. Several trails - including a wheelchair accessible trail - wind through the canyon, part of the Black Forest and five ecosystems. A state parks pass is required on all vehicles entering the park. Daily passes are $4 and annual passes are $50; both are available at the gate. Many naturalist guided activities are open to nature enthusiasts of all ages, or hikers can explore the trails on their own.
GOCO receives more than $40 million every year in lottery proceeds. The board awards grants to local governments, land trusts, Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife for open space, park, wildlife, outdoor recreation and trail projects. GOCO said it has awarded $288 million for more than 1,700 projects across the state.
Douglas County Open Space receives money from a sales tax approved by voters in the early 1990s.
The Friends of Castlewood Canyon raised money through memberships, donations and fund-raising events with photographer John Fielder and by selling waterwise plants.
Years ago, members of the Metzler family also sold the land in northern Castle Rock where the Metzler Ranch neighborhood was developed.
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