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Parker, Colorado

Parker is a home rule municipality in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. As a self-declared "town" under the home rule statutes, Parker is the second most populous town in the county; Castle Rock is the most populous. In recent years, Parker has become a commuter town at the southeasternmost corner of the Denver metropolitan area. The population was 58,512 at the 2020 census. Parker is now the 19th most populous municipality in the state of Colorado.

History
Native Americans The first known people to live in the area were ancient and Plains Woodland peoples. Utes, Arapaho, and Cheyenne were in the area by the 1800s. They were all hunter-gatherers who established seasonal camps to acquire food. A nearby rock shelter, Franktown Cave, shows evidence of habitation beginning in the early Archaic period about 6400 BC and continuing through each of the intervening cultural periods to 1725 AD. Pine Grove Stage roads were established on historic Cherokee and Trapper's Trails through present-day Denver. In 1864, Alfred Butters established the Pine Grove Way Station in a small one-room building (south of the current Parker United Methodist Church) to sell provisions, handle mail and messages, and provide respite for travelers. George Long and his wife purchased the building, moved it to its present location on Main Street, and expanded it to include ten rooms, a ball room and outbuildings. In 1870, the Douds purchased the Seventeen Mile House in what is now Centennial and sold the Twenty Mile House to James S. Parker, an American Civil War veteran from Illinois who came to Colorado in 1865. He added a blacksmith shop and mercantile store. In December 1870, It was first called Parkers' for the two brothers and largest landowners, but the apostrophe was later dropped. that provided service between Denver, Parker, and Colorado Springs. To ensure that the railroad came through the center of town, rather than along Cherry Creek, James Parker sold his right-of-way for $1 and his brother George sold his right-of-way to bring the railroad into the center of town to Parker station. s, a livery stable, a telephone company for the town, and a telegraph office. Over the years, it has been used for multiple purposes. It is now contained within the 20 Mile Center on Mainstreet. The outline of the old hotel can be seen from the rear of the building. James donated three acres for Parker Cemetery around 1884, at which time it held the graves of his two sons. It holds the graves of early settlers, the earliest known death was in 1870. Parker (died 1910) and his wife Mattie (died 1887) are also buried there. The developer skipped town in 1971. About 1980 or 1981, the development was completed by another builder. Dean Salibury advocated for Parker's incorporation to protect its landowners. and Salisbury was Parker's first mayor. Parker grew exponentially in the mid-1990s and mid-2000s, during the growth of Denver's southern suburbs. Ruth Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town of Parker was given a grant by the History Colorado State Historical Fund a restoration project for the Parker Consolidated School at the Mainstreet Center. The Hood House, one of two houses that did not sustain any damage during the flood of Tallman Gulch in 1912, is located in Preservation Park. Some of the other historic sites include Tallman–Newlin Cabin and Parker Cemetery. ==Geography==
Geography
Parker is located in northeastern Douglas County. Its northernmost border follows the Arapahoe County line, and the city of Aurora touches the town's northeast border. The center of Parker is southeast of downtown Denver. Castle Rock, the Douglas County seat, is to the southwest. Unincorporated communities that border Parker are Dove Valley to the northwest, Stonegate to the west, and The Pinery to the south. Parker sits at an elevation of 5,900 feet above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which , or 0.02%, is water. Climate This climate type is usually found in the outskirts of true deserts in low-latitude, semi-arid regions. It has cooler, wetter weather resulting from the higher latitude and mid-latitude frontal cyclone activity. Annual precipitation totals are greater than in tropical and subtropical desert climates. Yearly variations in amount are not as extreme as in the true deserts but are nevertheless large. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "BSk". (mid latitude Steppe Climate). ==Demographics==
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Parker had a population of 58,512. The median age was 35.9 years. 27.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 9.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.8 males age 18 and over. 99.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.5% lived in rural areas. There were 20,768 households in Parker, of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 60.3% were married-couple households, 13.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 19.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 21,443 housing units, of which 3.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.4%. 2022 estimate As of the American Community Survey of 2022, there were 61,222 people, 20,083 households, and 6,525 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 84.4% White, 4.9% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, 1.01% Black, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.1% of the population. There were 20,083 households, out of which 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.1% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of people living alone, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.28. In the town, the age of the population is trending older, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males. The median income for a household in the town was $120,075, and the median income for a family was $136,520. Males had a median income of $93,090 versus $63,008 for females. The per capita income for the town was $48,857. About 1.8% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over. 2010 census As of the 2010 census, there were 45297 people, _ households, and _ families residing in the town. 2000 census As of the 2000 census, there were 23,558 people, 7,929 households, and 6,525 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,615.2 people per square mile (623.4/km²). There were 8,352 housing units at an average density of 572.6 per square mile (221.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.60% White, 1.71% Asian, 1.01% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population. There were 7,929 households out of which 52.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.27. In the town the population was spread out with 34.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 43.4% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 2.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $74,116, and the median income for a family was $77,384. Males had a median income of $52,070 versus $35,700 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,479. About 1.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over. ==Education==
Education
Parker is served by Douglas County School District. Douglas County School District has among the highest level of students in Colorado. Students have scored, on average, 12 to 19 percent above the state average. The district was rated 9th in the state in 2009. The Pine Lane Elementary School had the largest student enrollment in Parker until Mammoth Heights Elementary opened in January 2007 and took the overload. Two of the three principal high schools in the area, Ponderosa and Chaparral High School, have a cross-town rivalry and compete annually for The Pride of Parker trophy. Legend High School opened in 2008, as Douglas County's ninth high school. Legend also has a Rivalry with Chaparral known as the Crosstown Throw Down across multiple sports. Private schools in Parker include: • Ave Maria Catholic School (PK-8) • Southeast Christian School (PK-8) • Lutheran High School Parker (9–12) • Parker Montessori Educational Institute (PK-K) • Montessori Academy (PK-K) For other Parker and Douglas County school information: • Pine Lane Primary • Frontier Valley Elementary School • Pine Lane Intermediate • Pine Grove Elementary School • Mammoth Heights Elementary School • Cherokee Trail Elementary • Iron Horse Elementary • Prairie Crossing Elementary • Legacy Point Elementary • Gold Rush Elementary • Pioneer Elementary School • Global Village Academy Parker Secondary Schools: • Sierra Middle School • Sagewood Middle School • Cimarron Middle School • Legend High SchoolPonderosa High SchoolChaparral High School Parker also has six public charter schools: • American Academy (annual lottery) • Challenge to Excellence Charter School (annual lottery) • North Star Academy (annual lottery) • Parker Core Knowledge Charter School (students selected through a wait list; application at birth strongly recommended in order to gain entry for kindergarten) • Leman Academy of Excellence (K-8) • Parker Performing Arts School (K-8) College classes: • The University Center at Chaparral • Arapahoe Community College (Parker campus) • University of Colorado South Denver Campus (Located at the old Wildlife Experience on Lincoln Ave.) Post-Secondary Education: • Rocky Vista University - College of Osteopathic Medicine ==Healthcare==
Healthcare
AdventHealth Parker is the only hospital. ==Recreation==
Recreation
The Town maintains 10 trails with over 27 miles of concrete paved, multi-use trails, over 6 miles of natural surface equestrian trails and a 1.8-mile natural surface, multi-use loop trail. The Cherry Creek Trail runs along Cherry Creek, north and south through Parker. Bicycling, hiking, nature walks, and cross-country skiing are all popular uses. The Rueter–Hess Reservoir is located west of town and is not yet open for recreational use of the water as of 2021, although trails around the reservoir are open. Planned activities there include fishing, hiking, and non-motorized boating. No natural streams flow into the reservoir, instead, water rights owned by the Parker Water and Sanitation District provide water delivered via Cherry Creek and local canals. If filled to capacity, the surface size would be 1,140 acres. The Parker Recreation Center is located alongside Lincoln Avenue and has several amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, fitness and cycling studios, sports and fitness classes, and more. The Parker Field House offers of space, including sports turf, batting cages, gymnasiums, inline rink with Sport Court flooring, and climbing. The Parker Racquet Club opened in 2019 and offers six indoor courts to tennis and pickleball enthusiasts. Phase 2, opening in 2023, adds one of the first paddle courts in Colorado, and additional outdoor tennis courts and pickleball courts. ==Attractions==
Attractions
The town currently maintains about 250 acres of developed parkland and more than 900 acres of open space. Parker is home to the Parker Arts, Culture, & Events Center (PACE). It is a venue that hosts art exhibits, art classes, theater productions, and concerts. It is the official home of the Parker Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra established in 1994, that offers a full season of orchestra concerts annually. The Parker Symphony was formerly the South Suburban Community Orchestra. Parker is also home to Colorado School of Dance, which partners with PACE each December to produce the "Nutcracker of Parker." The annual ballet has been a Parker tradition since 2003. ==Local media==
Local media
Parker currently has one local magazine and one local paper. Search Parker Magazine is the local magazine and the Parker Chronicle is the local paper. Parker also receives the county-wide channel, Douglas County 8, which broadcasts school sports events and assorted programs run by residents. ==Notable people==
Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in or have lived in Parker include: • Josh Adams (born 1993), basketball point guard • Ginger Baker (born 1939) jazz/rock drummer for Cream, Blind Faith, and Ginger Baker's Air ForceGeorge Brauchler - attorney, former district attorney for Colorado's 18th Judicial District • Bobby Dalbec (born 1995), baseball player • Hayden Dalton (born 1996), basketball player for Hapoel Holon of the Israeli Basketball Premier LeagueKellen Damico (born 1989), tennis player • Scott Elrod (born 1975), actor • John Grant (born 1968), singer-songwriter • Milan Hejduk (born 1976), former ice hockey player for Colorado Avalanche. Won Stanley Cup in 2001. • Michael "Ffish" Hemschoot (born 1973), animator, film director • Hal Koerner (born 1976), distance runner • John C. Malone (born 1941), billionaire media magnate • Chris Martinez (born 1970), soccer defender • Bob McCord (1934–2016), ice hockey player • Chad Muma, football player • Dana Perino (born 1972), White House Press Secretary (2007-2009) • Scott Petersen (born 1970), golfer • Mark Scheffel (born 1959), Colorado state legislator • Cal Turner Jr. (born 1940), billionaire retail executive • Derrick White (born 1994), basketball player for the Boston Celtics, 2024 NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist ==See also==
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