Parker is a blend of urban, suburban and rural communities south of Denver, with walkable subdivisions and some homes with acres of land. “I like to talk about Parker more as rolling hills and ponderosa pines,” says Phillip Booghier, Global Real Estate Advisor with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed in 2021. “Many people that move to Parker want property, and it’s very common to find half-acre, five- and 10-acre lots." The city is growing, many drawn by its Douglas County address, placing it in a highly rated school district. In fact, the United Census Bureau reports that between 2020 and 2023, the population increased by 7.2%, amassing over 62,000 people. Many in the area work in the private sector, with almost 20% of the workforce employed in healthcare and education.
The city of Parker is located south of Denver and northeast of Castle Rock.
Parker's neighborhoods are extremely walkable with miles of trails and wide, set back sidewalks.
Rolling hills, mature trees and spectacular views are all found in Parker.
Finding a home with acreage is not too difficult in Parker.
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Old Town townhouses, subdivisions and properties with acreage
Parker’s residential areas are subdivided, with sidewalks lining cul-de-sacs. Most subdivisions have homeowners’ associations, with monthly fees between $100 and $750. The median cost of a single-family home is roughly $730,000, which falls far below Douglas County’s average home price of around $826,000. Single-family homes, including Craftsman and new traditional architectural styles, are widespread and cost between $400,000 and $1.9 million. “They have equestrian neighborhoods with easements between houses. I have horses and can jump on them, open the gate and ride,” Booghier says. Closer to Old Town, with more mixed-use zoning of residential and commercial, apartments and townhouses with median pricing of $470,000 are most common.
Parker neighborhood's are tree lined and filled with cul-de-sacs.
Most homes in Parker are newer construction and fairly large.
You can find horse friendly properties all over the city of Parker.
Parker also has townhomes for those not wanting a single family home.
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Douglas County education and Parker Arts partnerships
Douglas County School District No. RE-1, the state’s third largest district, serves Parker and receives an A-minus from Niche. The website also ranks the district as third best overall in Denver. “Parker Arts offers educators the opportunity to enrich their curriculum with live, low-cost performances which can be integrated into a teacher’s existing curriculum,” says Leslie Bonnell, marketing coordinator of Parker Arts, who has lived in town since 1997. Nearby is the University of Colorado Denver, which Niche reports is a top choice among many Douglas County School District No. RE-1 graduates.
Gold Rush Elementary School's main entrance in Parker.
Cimarron Middle School builds positive relationships to create a safe environment for students.
Discover exceptional education and a nurturing community at Legend High School in Parker, CO.
Lutheran High School prepares each student for future college and careers.
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Parker Recreation Center, Discovery Park and equestrian facilities
Parker’s 17 parks include sports complexes, traditional playgrounds, and 13 trails, some dedicated to horseback riding. Discovery Park has a play fountain open during the summer months and Parker Ice Trail open in the winter. Parker Recreation Center provides childcare and has an indoor pool and gymnasium. Horses trot at nearby equestrian facilities, including Salisbury Equestrian Park and McCabe Meadows, which has a path to the Cherry Creek Trail. Cherry Creek State Park spans 4,200 acres and has over 35 miles of mixed-use trail just north of Parker. At the park’s center, an 880-acre reservoir. O’Brien Park spans over 10 acres along Mainstreet and has basketball courts, playgrounds and the Parker Gazebo, where events like outdoor concerts and the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting are held. Well-maintained 18-hole golf courses surround the community as well, including Black Bear and Colorado golf clubs.
The Parker Recreation Center offers swimming, excersice classes and more.
Discovery Park in Parker plays host to many events, including ice skating during the Winter.
Parker's Salisbury Equestrian Park has sports fields in addition to an outdoor horse arena.
Parker is very much a horse friendly city.
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Shopping centers and local businesses along Mainstreet
Mainstreet in Old Town Parker is a walkable commercial area with restaurants and shops. South Parker Road runs through the city’s center and is dotted with shopping centers and box stores. In August 2024, Whole Foods joined other popular grocers in Parker, such as Trader Joe’s, Costco and Safeway. Local vendors sell produce and home products on Sundays at the Parkers Farmers Market, held annually along Mainstreet from Mother’s Day through Halloween.
Downtown Parker has some unique shopping options.
The Parker Farmer's Market brings the community together from Mother's Day to Halloween.
Parker residents have many options when it comes to grocery shopping, including Trader Joe's.
Target is just one of the many big box stores that can be found in Parker.
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Parker Arts, PACE Center and community events
Parker Arts displays a rotating selection of galleries at the Parker Arts Cultural and Events (PACE) Center and The Schoolhouse Gallery. It also provides art classes and camps throughout the year, ranging from pointe to puppetry. “We have a vibrant public art scene that includes more than 40 permanent sculptures around the Town as well as temporary installs through the Arts Encounters program,” Bonnell says.
Many of the town’s events are hosted by Parker Arts. “In addition to offering several free community events, including Discovery Park Free Summer Concert Series, Parker Honey Festival, Science Night, we also offer events for middle and high school students, which include Portfolio Day and Shakespeare Festival,” Bonnell says. “We also have outreach programs to help engage our adult population.” Other events put on by the town include Parker Fall Fest, a weeklong celebration with carnival games, a hay bale maze and food trucks.
The PACE Center is the central hub of Parker's art and theatre scene.
Parker's Schoolhouse Gallery has ongoing gallery shows that are open to the public.
You can find sculptures sprinkled throughout the city of Parker
Parker Day's is the cities longest running festival going into it's 49th year.
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DTC access and home to major county employer
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) serves the community with bus stops along the main north- and south-bound thoroughfare, Colorado state Highway 83—or CO-83—also known as “Parker Road.” RTD light rail lines to Aurora and downtown Denver, around 26 miles north, are accessible in nearby Lone Tree. The Denver Tech Center, where major employers include Arrow Electronics, is about 13 miles north along both Interstate 25 and CO-83. “Many pilots live in Parker because it’s off E-470, which is a tollway that never has traffic, and it’s direct to the Denver International Airport,” Booghier says. Denver International Airport is approximately 26 miles north and is the world’s third busiest airport, offering both domestic and international flights. AdventHealth Parker is one of Douglas County’s largest employers, according to its 2024 Economic Development Report, and is one of the closest hospitals. The city tends to experience between 70 and 80 inches of snow each year, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Policing and community programming in Parker
Parker Police Department reported increased totals of property and violent crimes between 2019 and 2023. Property crimes increased by over 41%, while violent crimes increased by almost 65%. Colorado’s Division of Criminal Justice reports that, within the same 5-year span, statewide property crime occurrences increased by over 3%, while violent crime reports were up by almost 17%. Parker Police Department remains active within the community, hosting Scout Nights to educate local Boy and Girl Scout troops.
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