The city of Parker is located in the municipality of Douglas County, Colorado. The town itself is self-declared and is the second most famous in the county. As of today, the city is home to 57,706 people of all ages and ethnicities. Parker’s diverse town is only 30 minutes from downtown Denver, but one would be remiss in writing Parker off as simply another suburb. The main street is historic, featuring many local businesses and wide-open spaces you don't necessarily find within Denver city limits. Parker feels a world away, truly making it feel like its own.
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History
The city of Parker, Colorado, has a rich history beginning back before the 1800’s. According to Parker’s historical society, the city’s lands were primarily used as hunting grounds for the Native Americans. It wasn't until the late 1800’s a diverse population such as early traders, trappers, frontiersman, and gold-seekers came to the area.
The old Indian trails that ran along Cherry Creek later became known as the Cherokee Trail, but the names have since evolved as the stage lines rolled into Colorado. While the area began to boom after gold was discovered in 1858, a man named Alfred Butters built a quaint one-room building that supplied provisions to travelers until 1864. After that, it made sense that he traded that shop for a bunch of oxen.
The couple that bought this home from Alfred Butters moved it to Mainstreet in downtown Parker and added a modest ballroom and additional structures for people and animals. Once the couple was ready to sell in roughly 1874, the building was sold to James Sample Parker, who grew the 20-mile house. This building grew to include a blacksmith shop and general store and became the first official post office area.
James Parker did many amazing things for his community, and he established the first school in the area right across the road when his daughter came of age. On the east side of the highway, James Parker's brother George Parker holds land; he is credited for establishing the saloon and other town businesses, making these brothers very well known.
Despite its lengthy history, Parker wasn't incorporated until 1981. At this time, it was one square mile and included 285 residents. The town has grown to more than 20 square miles and has a population of almost 58,000 residents.
Real Estate
Parker is an affluent and affordable community, with a median household income of $100,647 and a population with more than half of college or university graduates. The average costs of real estate in Parker sales average listing price of $489,900 and average selling price of $587,900 with a median rent of $2,395 a month. A variety of real estate is available in Parker, from apartments, condominiums, townhomes, and single-family homes.
Apartments style residences located in downtown Parker are an excellent option for the younger generation. The community buildings host studio units to 3 bedroom units. Prices to own these units range between $220,900 to $405,000, and many offer luxury amenities.
Townhomes in Parker offer generous three bedrooms, three-bathroom units ranging in size from 1,000 square feet to 1,500 square feet. The spacious homes can be found selling for approximately $350,000.
Multi-family homes are another popular option for those looking to raise a family in Parker. Many of the appealing laid-out homes vary in all shapes and sizes, starting from 945 square feet to anywhere over 2,000 square feet, and consist of spacious three or four bedrooms. The cost of a multi-family home in Parker ranges between $380,00 to $488,000.
The most desirable form of real estate in the city is large single-family homes. Parker is full of working professionals, growing families, and retirees trying to find a place specific for their lifestyle. A modest bungalow in the area begins around $279,000 for a home around 1,300 square feet and up in size, and grand estates can be found for over $1,00,000 and up in the more spacious areas of the town.
If building from the ground up is an option of purchase for you, Parker has plenty of land lots available. Empty lots provide the opportunity for homeowners to create, design, and customize their dream homes. Land for sale in the Parker area ranges from $90,000 to over $689,900, depending on the size, zoning lining, and quality of the lot.
Neighborhoods
The Parker Colorado neighborhoods are one of the most excellent and most beautiful places to live in America. The whole town is a quiet community with many traditional country values. These neighborhoods cater to many walks of life, sure to provide for a variety of lifestyles. The areas located closer to Downtown Parker attract a younger crowd, including students, first-time home buyers, and young couples who enjoy the bustling downtown scene. The suburban neighborhoods are slower paced making them perfect for raising a family. Wherever you are in life, Parker has a place for you, even those ready for their retirement years. Both assisted, and independent living options are available to the elderly residents of Parker.
Some popular neighborhoods which are located in Parker, Colorado include Salisbury Heights, Horseshoe Ridge, Pine Bluffs, Anthology, and Creekside.
So Much To Do
Parker is known for its year-round activities, from the Honey Festival and the legendary Parker Days festival, but the city pulls out head stoppers during the holiday seasons playing host to an annual Christmas Carriage Parade which works its way down the town's main street. Residents enjoy watching decked out wagons, stagecoaches and gorgeous horse-drawn carriages lighting up the sky during the winter.
Regardless of season, residents can spend the day enjoying the Parker Ice Trail. During those hot summer months, grab a friend and hike through, stopping for a picnic halfway or wait for the winter and grab a pair of skates and skate through the sunning ice trail.
Other special events and things to do in Parker that residents can enjoy are a series of annual runs. Family-friendly races are hosted by Parker Recreation every year from February to October. Yearly runs hosted include a Valentine's Day 5k/10k, the Cattle crossing fun family trek 5k, so long to summer 5k/10k, and turkey day 5k fun run or walk on thanksgiving weekend!
To honor the elderly, the community comes together once a year to celebrate the National Senior Health and Fitness Day. This day is for our charming grandparents to engage in a one-mile walk while they socialize with friends and family and enjoy delicious refreshments.
Lastly, the town of Parker hosts its own celebration for the 4th of July. The celebration Stars and Stripes celebration is full of music, food, and entertainment fun for the whole family. Grab the kids, lawn chairs, and a blanket and spend the entire evening filled with joy.
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Enjoy The Outdoors
Parker residents have plenty of outdoor recreation, open spaces, parks, and much more! The popular Rueter-Hess Reservoir Recreation includes special events, photography tours, paddleboarding, National Trails Day guided tours, fishing, open swim race, birding watching, and spectacular wildlife viewing. A bonus is dogs are also welcome as long as they are leashed!
Head over to McCabe Meadows open space to read a book under one of the many trees or make a stop at Discovery Park, located just next to the town's library; this relatively new, 1.5-acre park hosts events and performances throughout the year. It hosts a performance stage for concerts, which are available to the public for free every summer.
Make a stop where your pup can play off leas at David M. Sonka dog park, a five-acre open space where drinking fountains, an agility course, and shade structures are there for your furry friend's use.
Get a disc golf game in at Westcreek Disc Golf Course the facility is just adjacent to the dog park and offers a fun and challenging course complete with 18 holes and obstacles for players to enjoy. The public also has 16 other parks to enjoy and 11 multi-use trails making Parkers recreation extensive and offering everyone something.
A Focus On Education
The city of Parker falls under the jurisdiction of the Douglas County School District. As the third-largest district in Colorado, DCSD is home to approximately 66,000 preschools through twelfth grade. This fantastic school board serves 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools, and five private and five public charter schools.
The students in the Douglas County School District institutions are blessed with high-quality facilities and top-of-the-line resources. Each school has the flexibility to build its instructional programs with many innovative educational approaches. The district has open enrollment to charter schools, instruction for gifted students, International programs, and advanced placement and special programs giving the students plenty of extracurricular options.
Arts & Culture
Parker is home to a beautiful art scene and cultural sights; several galleries are available to the locals. By visiting arts and culture museums, residents maximize their knowledge of the place they call home and physically visualize pictures and statues many hope to one day see with their own eyes.
Located at the end of Parker road is the Parker Arts, Cultural, and Events Center, which brings multiple national acts and hosts local productions. The PACE Center opened on October.27th, 2011, and was beautifully designed by an award-winning architectural firm of Semple Brown Design. The firm is known locally for the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and the King Performing Arts Center.
Enjoy the 250 people outdoor theater or one of the two historic trains with picturesque rides through downtown Parker. Inside a 536 seat theatre, event room, dance studio, culinary kitchen, and many cultural, arts, and educational programs to serve the community, business, and social events. Through the front doors, a whopping 3000 square foot art gallery and multi-purpose room lie to your right, with two entire walls made of windows from ceiling to floor opening up to Sulphur Gulch and a view of the Rocky Mountain skyline.
The Parker Museum is usually visited by school-aged children on educational day trips but is excellent for adults. Parker Museum was founded in 1916, highlighting Roy Wedd and James E. family stories arts and crafts style. Besides displaying much of the history, the backyard has an expansive Blacksmith shop and an agricultural collection.
Shopping & Dining
Dining in Parker's town is an enjoyable experience with various ethnic eateries, cozy cafes, and fine-dining establishments. Parker has five restaurants in particular that locals flock to for food favorites.
Casa Mariachi, a family-owned and operated Mexican restaurant, Hickory House Ribs is good for some fall-off-the-bone deliciousness, Junz Restaurant Tokyo native prepared plates from Seared Duck Breast Ceviche to deluxe explorations in sushi, Opa Grill greek and American fusion bistro, and Portofino's Pizza and Pasta high-quality homemade Italian cuisine and service that's second to none. Truly something for every taste bud!
Several craft breweries offer a unique selection of beers, wines, and spirits perfect for an afternoon spent in the sunshine sipping delicious beverages. The breweries also provide a selection of tasty appetizers, both cold and warm. Some of the unique places to visit are Barnett and Son Brewery, Hall Brewing Co, and Elk Mountain Brewing. The great selection of these breweries is only offering more attractive options for locals to enjoy.
Popular seatings for Parker residents are the many local cafes recommended by residents themselves. FIKA coffee, Coffee Cabin, Nomelie Cupcakes, The Parker Garage, The Bagel Stop, Kunjani Coffee, Stonegate Cafe, and Tealeaves Tea Shop, are to name a few.
The residents have an array of shopping opportunities to choose from; one is locally owned and located in the heart of Parker. The 7,000 square foot Parker Shoppe is stocked with a variety of unique items at multiple boutique shops. Spend the whole day here sweeping through Items featuring an abundance of vintage collectibles, home decor, jewelry, gifts, fashion and accessories, specialty gourmet foods, painted furniture, farmhouse style, floral, garden and yard decor.
Downtown Parker is located in the heart of Parker, Colorado, full of fun shops selling locally made products to incredible fine dining. Downtown Parker won't disappoint you and your friends, so come on down and spend an afternoon or the entire day exploring all that downtown Parker has to offer. Grab a cup of coffee, buy something new for a night out, or grab a bite to eat and enjoy a drink at the end of a long shopping day.
Located further, Park Meadows is Colorado's biggest shopping mall, boasting a broad range of 185 stores and restaurants, from the largest selection of apparel stores to the best in branded fashion and dining.
One of the best parts about living in Parker, Colorado, is the proximity to major shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues while still enjoying the beauty of nature in the surrounding town. Many people move to Parker because it is a growing community with a small-town feel. The ever-increasing job market, variable cost of living, and Parker schools are desirable to those seeking to relocate. Whatever your style, Parker Colorado is one of the safest and secure places to live in Colorado!