Cherry Knolls

Located 12 miles south of Denver, Cherry Knolls is an academic launch pad for children and a forever home for families looking to find solace away from the city. Many of the neighborhood’s original homeowners have remained local, seeking adventure in the bustling parks and recreation scene. Newer folks appreciate the esteemed school district and accessibility to major highways like Routes 177 and 470. “We have 90-year-olds who volunteer as newsletter carriers,” says Linda Nixon, a 40-year resident of Southglenn. “The longevity of the community is important. It’s always been important.”

Primarily constructed between the 60s and 70s, the homes in Cherry Knolls tend toward ranch-style and split-level. Along South Cook Way, eclectic gardens with towering evergreens decorate the lawns of these remodeled residences, going for between $600,000 and nearly $1 million. Wide driveways might hold basketball hoops, while fenced-in backyards display miniature playgrounds and trampolines. Narrow sidewalks outline cul-de-sacs of these detached single-family homes. Drive along South Madison Way in the summertime to find porch swings and sunflowers, or meander down South Steele Street in the fall to peek at the half-turned leaves of Tatarian Maple trees. “We’ve really rejuvenated the neighborhood,” Nixon says. “People have brought their kids out here because of the schools, and now we have lots of wonderful young families.”

Students in Cherry Knolls can attend Littleton Public Schools, a district accredited with distinction by the Colorado Department of Education. Earning an A- on Niche, Sandburg Elementary School provides enrichment programs in specialties ranging from golf to cooking. Newton Middle School earns an A on Niche and offers sports like basketball, volleyball and flag football. Arapahoe High School ranks the same, practicing an open campus policy where students are allowed to go home for lunch and during off-periods. Local private schools include the faith-based Anastasis Academy and the secular Aspen Academy in Greenwood Village, both earning an A+ on Niche and catering to K-8 students.

In addition to its distinguished school district, Cherry Knolls and its surrounding communities belong to the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District. Big Dry Creek Trail runs through Cherry Knolls Park alongside a playground and multiple soccer and baseball fields. Residents can follow the trail south to find Cherry Knolls Pond, a popular fishing spot with rainbow trout and bluegill. Follow it north and land in DeKoevend Park, a regional favorite with multipurpose fields, courts, a free little library and the Goodson Recreation Center. Between its pottery studio, gymnastics facility and circuit training room, this rec center offers an array of classes and programs for locals of all ages. The Cherry Knolls Swim Club is a member-owned facility led by volunteers. Its swim team, the Cherry Knolls Neptunes, enrolls children ages 5-18. And the nearby Southglenn Country Club has various membership styles, giving access to a heated outdoor pool, golf course, and social activities like Food Truck Thursdays and the annual Fourth of July bash.

Cherry Knolls sits conveniently close to many retail and dining options thanks to its proximity to Route 177, South University Boulevard. Try brunch at First Watch, an award-winning breakfast restaurant with a creative menu and sunny patio. Next door, RORO Juice is a family-owned business offering organic juices made from fresh produce. Land of Sushi prepares authentic Japanese fare presented in colorful, ornate designs. Across the highway, locals can shop at The Streets of SouthGlenn, a shopping center with Whole Foods and Natural Grocers. Residents can stroll along the Commons, decorated with string lights and a fountain, or browse the many restaurant options. Heaven Creamery is an ideal spot for an afternoon treat. Sundaes are served inside fresh-cut pineapples and coconuts, some even topped with tropical fruit. Back at home, the community of Cherry Knolls encourages participation in both the local garden club and the Parents Co-Op – the longest-operating organization of its kind in the greater Colorado region. “We’re very close-knit,” Nixon says. “We do things together; we take care of our own. That’s just the kind of camaraderie we have here.”

Written By

Dana Chesser

Photography Contributed By

Evan Melgren

Video By

GL Moses