The 10 Things I LOVE About Parker, Colorado

The 10 Things I LOVE About Parker, Colorado

When you are deciding on your next place to live, there are many factors that come in to play. Mostly it's about the house and does it meet your needs. In many instances it's about the location. Is it close to work, family or the fun things you like to do in your spare time.

When we decided to move to Parker, Colorado in 1997, it was primarily due to it's proximity to work. After we moved here, we fell in LOVE. We've moved twice in the last 16 years and both moves were still in Parker! As I said, we fell in LOVE.  Here are some of the reasons we STILL live in Parker, Colorado.

 

Town History ~ The Downtown area of Parker is rich in its history. The Town currently has 20 Parker landmarks! One of my favorites is Ruth Memorial Chapel, located on Mainstreet. It opened for its first service in 1912. You can learn more about Parker's history by taking a self guided tour. Just stop by Town Hall for walking map and you can visit the former Parker Schoolhouse, Ruth Memorial Chapel and the Parker Creamery. What better way to learn than hands-on! 

Parks, Trails & Recreation ~ We love the great outdoors, don't we? That's why we live in Colorado, right? Well, Parker has acres of parks and trails to enjoy. We also have some great recreation facilities. H2O'Brien Park is an outdoor water park that is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and it's very affordable. The Parker Recreation Center features an indoor pool and offers wonderful exercise and fitness classes. The Parker Fieldhouse has batting cages, an inline rink, a climbing wall and so much more. All of the facilities are available for rentals for your special events.

PACE Center ~ The Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center opened in October 2011.  The 50,000 sqft facility is perfect venue for entertainment-theater, dance, music and visual arts; education-cooking, dance, photography and so much more; and events-weddings, conferences, fundraisers, banquets and business meetings.

Restaurants ~ OK, I admit it.  I'm a foodie!  Looking for breakfast? Parker has options from fast food to sit down service.  We've got donuts and pastries too!  What about lunch?  Parker has got you covered.  Salads, sandwiches, pizza and so much more.  Making plans for dinner?  Would you like a Italian, Mexican, maybe Japanese? Once again, Parker has what you are looking for!  Oh and don't forget dessert!

Downtown Parker ~ Downtown Parker is also referred to as Old Town Parker. It has restaurants, shops, offices and a beautiful park. Many of the town's "signature events" on Mainstreet in Downtown Parker...the annual carriage rides at Christmastime, the Farmers Market and the Parker Days Festival in the summer, Smokin' Brew BBQ at the end of the summers. The best part of the Downtown area is that it's an easy walk from one end to the other, or if you don't want to walk, you can ride on the Parker Pedicab!

Chamber of Commerce ~ The Parker Chamber of Commerce is well-known for its signature events. Each year, May through October on the last Friday of the month the Chamber hosts Wine Walks in Old Town Parker. It's a great way for folks to get out on the town and visit local businesses. In June, Parker Days Festival takes over Downtown Parker for a long weekend filled with carnival rides, live entertainment, exhibitors and feed vendors. During the summer months, come out to enjoy Movies in the Park. It's a FREE family friendly time at O'Brien Park. In late November and December get cozy and cuddle on a Holiday Carriage Ride in Old Town Parker.

Farmers Market ~ The annual Farmers Market runs from May through October each year. Mainstreet is closed off to traffic and shoppers are able to roam free to explore the many vendors. Of course, there are fruits and vegetables, but there is so much more. Homemade breads, jellies, butters and salsas well tempt your taste buds. The scent of flowers will tickle your nose. Be sure to plan at least an hour, wear your walking shoes and be prepared for the warm, dry weather.

Parker Library ~ The Parker Library offers so much to our community. Like many libraries in the area, the Parker Library has Storytime for newborns through 5 years, and an all ages Storytime. (Hmm, maybe I should drop in for one of those.) I enjoy the educational opportunities. This month (February 2013) the library is offering assistance with GED preparation. I also like that I can reserve a book online. It's so convenient!

Neighborhoods ~ When you are deciding on where to live, you think primarily about the house, you should also consider the neighborhood. In Parker, you will find most of our neighborhoods have a Homewoners Association, this can be a positive or a negative depending on what is important to you. We have neighborhoods that are a mixture of townhomes or condos and single family homes, again, this may or may not be important to you. Maybe you'd like a gated community, we have a few. Whatever your needs, Parker has a solution!

Location ~ We moved to Parker, just like many other folks, because it's close enough, yet far enough away from everything! We are close to major highways to get to downtown Denver and the airport. (It takes less than an hour to get to the airport.)  Parker is about an hour and half from the Mountains. Anything else we might need is right in our own backyard...library, movies, great restaurants and recreational opportunities, cultural events, what else is there?

 

If you are considering a move to Parker Colorado, please give us a call.  We'd LOVE to share our passion for our Town with you! We work with buyers and sellers in Parker, Douglas County and the surrounding area.

 

(Photo credits: Ruth Memorial Chapel~Town of Parker website; PACE Center~PACE Center website; Parker Days Festival~Weinrach Photography LLC: O'Brien Park~Donna Foerster.)

 

 

The 10 Things I LOVE About Parker, Colorado

 

Donna Foerster

The Foerster Team

Rocky Mountain Real Estate Advisors

www.TheFoersterTeam.com

720-530-5554 (cell)