Castle Rock is applying for grants to fund the purchase of more than 600 acres of open space and future improvements to the town’s oldest park.

At a Sept. 5  meeting, council members unanimously approved applications for two grants that would support the acquisition of Lost Canyon Ranch and renovations at Centennial Park. 

For the Lost Canyon Ranch project, the town is applying for $2 million from Great Outdoors Colorado to cover part of the $14.5 million purchase of 681 acres next to Castlewood Canyon State Park. The town plans to preserve the land as open space.

“This particular purhase will provide protection of the habitat, the cultural resources that are on the site and future passive recreation opportunities on the open space,” Director of Parks and Recreation Jeff Brauer said. “It is one of the last undeveloped parcels of this size in the area.”

The property features a prehistoric archeological site, Willow Creek, large cliffs, a canyon and a variety of habitat types, such as grassland, ponderosa forest and riparian. 

Castle Rock is paying $6.4 million and Douglas County is contributing $6 million to the Lost Canyon Ranch project, with the remaining money coming from fundraising through the town’s conservation fund. 

The town council was very enthusiastic about the project and its benefits to the town. Council member Laura Cavey called the move to preserve the open space “one of the best things we’ve done.”

Mayor Jason Gray agreed, noting it will be one of the biggest parks in the Front Range.

“It’s a pretty amazing piece of property and there aren’t many places like it,” Gray said. 

The second grant is seeking $800,000 from Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Land and Water Conservation Fund to improve the tennis court area at Centennial Park, which is estimated to be a $1.75 million project. Brauer said the park currently has accessibility issues, cracking courts and crumbling infrastructure. 

If the town receives the grant, it would be used to replace the basketball and tennis courts, add shade and seating, and address accessibility issues. Brauer said it’s also possible one of the tennis courts could be converted into two pickleball courts.

“We’re ready to refurbish this facility and get it up to current standards,” he said. 

Centennial Park was originally built in the 1970s and was funded in part by the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Brauer said this year, the fund is prioritizing upkeep for projects it funded in the past, giving Centennial Park an advantage.  

Construction is projected to happen in 2025 and 2026.