The Highlands Ranch Park and Recreation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the community of Highlands Ranch, Colo. Highlands Ranch is located south of Denver, in northern Douglas County. Highlands Ranch was founded in 1981 and now serves a population of more than 95,000 people.
Mission
The Highlands Ranch Park and Recreation Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works hand-in-hand with the Highlands Ranch Metro District to preserve, enhance and advocate for Highlands Ranch parks, recreation, open space and urban forest projects. The foundation accomplishes this by creating a community of donors and raising private funds for various parks and recreation projects.
The foundation fosters and encourages the acquisition, development, improvement and beautification of parks, trails, open space, and recreation facilities for the Highlands Ranch community. The foundation is committed to supporting projects and programs that promote fitness, well-being and quality of life of the residents and general public through charitable contributions.
History
The foundation was created in 2000 by former Highlands Ranch Metro District General Manager Terry Nolan, and several former board members of the Metro District. Since its inception, foundation trustees have raised more than $600,000 for community park and recreation projects.
The foundation has helped to raise money for:
- Youth sports and recreation program scholarships
- Civic Green Park
- Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument
- Highlands Ranch Mansion furnishings
- Park benches along trails and in parks
- Nature and interpretive signs
- Recycling containers in parks
- Sports field improvements
- Senior activities
- Outdoor pickleball courts