Looking to put down roots in the Front Range of Colorado? Chances are, you’ve looked at Parker, a community with a small-town atmosphere but big-city convenience.
But have you found Stonegate, the hidden gem of Parker? While Parker is an attractive option itself, StoneGate offers something more.
Location & Accessibility: Convenience Meets Community
The Town of Parker is located in northern Douglas County, about 20 miles southeast of Denver. Due to I-25 and E-470 access, commuters can reach downtown Denver in around 30 to 40 minutes and Denver International Airport in 30 minutes. The current populace has increased from 300 in 1981 to around 60,000, retaining its Western-Victorian character down Mainstreet.
Right in the north area of Parker, just below E-470, is the ultimate commute opportunity. Commuters can get to Denver Tech Center in 20 minutes, downtown Denver in 30 minutes, and so on to DIA. How is Stonegate different? You’re just a 10-minute commute to downtown shops and dining, but now you’re nestled away in a quieter, master-planned retreat with matured landscape and established neighborhoods dating back to 1986.
The parks & trails system is where nature and recreation come together perfectly.
Parker preserves 398 acres of parkland, 41 miles of trails, and 1,144 acres of open space, including:
- Discovery Park with interactive fountains, ice trail in winter, events year-round
- O’Brien Park with an outdoor pool (H2O’Brien), playground, and downtown location
- Cherry Creek Trail extending through Parker and connecting to state parks
- Salisbury Equestrian Park for horse lovers
- Rueter-Hess Reservoir: offering exclusive outdoor activities
- Parker Recreation Center w/ state-of-the-art fitness facilities
It is the private trails that make Stonegate so unique, providing 14+ miles of walking and biking trails for residents. Neighborhood amenities include:
- Community swimming pool complexes (north and south) that have water slides, diving boards, lap lanes, and splash areas
- Stonegate Village Park with 10-hole disc golf and paved paths along the creek
- Lighted tennis and pickleball courts at the pool complexes
- Several playgrounds and basketball courts
- Community Center or Clubhouse for Events
- Access via the Cherry Creek Regional Trail system
The Winner? The amenities in Stonegate are right in your own backyard; however, in Parker, you have public access via larger amenities that are community-wide. If you are looking for community pools and trails and an amenity-rich lifestyle in general, Stonegate comes out ahead.
Parker and Stonegate both lie within the highly-rated Douglas County School District. Parker has access to many elementary, middle schools in Parker, and three main high schools in Parker: Chaparral, Legend, and Ponderosa. The district boasts high educational performance with 61% proficiency in reading and 53% in math among elementary students.
When you live at Stonegate, your children can walk or bike to school on the neighborhood trail system. The neighborhood is served by Pine Grove Elementary (Grade B+, located in Stonegate, south end), Mammoth Heights Elementary (Highly Rated, North part of Stonegate), Sierra Middle School (Grade B+, for Stonegate students), and Chaparral High School (Grade A, Top 40 in Colorado, right in neighborhood of Stonegate).
Chaparral High School, with its stellar academics and athletic programs, is right next to Stonegate, making morning school drops a breeze. The walkability of the schools is a huge factor for families.
Small-Town Charm vs. Neighborhood Amenities
Parker’s historic downtown Mainstreet offers boutique shopping and locally-owned restaurants that give the area its distinctive character. The town comes alive with free summer concerts at Discovery Park, where families gather for outdoor entertainment under the Colorado sky. Seasonal festivities include Holiday Carriage Rides and the beloved Christmas Carriage Parade, bringing the community together in celebration. Farmers markets dot the calendar throughout warmer months, while local breweries, wineries, and restaurants provide year-round gathering spots. Unique attractions like Peachy Farms Animal Rescue offer educational experiences for families, and history enthusiasts can explore the 20-Mile Historic House Museum to learn about Parker’s frontier heritage.
For shopping and dining beyond downtown, Park Meadows Mall sits just 5-10 minutes away, offering upscale retail and entertainment options. Nearby Lone Tree expands your choices even further with additional dining, shopping, and light rail access that connects directly to downtown Denver, making city excursions effortless.
While Stonegate residents enjoy all of Parker’s attractions, the neighborhood itself creates a lifestyle that rivals resort living. Summer pool parties and community events foster genuine connections among neighbors, transforming acquaintances into friends. The neighborhood clubhouse serves as a social hub where residents gather for celebrations, meetings, and impromptu get-togethers. Disc golf enthusiasts regularly compete in tournaments at Stonegate Village Park, where the sport continues to grow in popularity among all age groups.
Golf aficionados will appreciate living within walking distance of Colorado Golf Club, recognized as one of the nation’s premier courses. For everyday conveniences, shopping and dining are mere minutes away at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Jordan Road, where King Soopers, Safeway, and a variety of restaurants handle your daily needs. When you’re ready for downtown Parker’s charm and events, it’s just a pleasant 5-10 minute drive south.
Crime & Safety
According to safety rankings, Parker is safer than 29% of other cities in the United States, with a crime rate of 32.24 per 1,000 inhabitants.
The rate for violent crimes in Parker is 39% lower than the United States average but similar to the rates for property crimes. The safest part of Parker is recognized as East Parker. According to recent information available, Parker is safer than 46% of cities in Colorado and 60% of cities in America.
Stonegate is one of the safest neighborhoods within Parker, with an exceptional crime score of A+. While it’s true that all 39 neighborhoods within Parker were graded an A or above, Stonegate remains within the top five safest communities, together with Stroh Ranch, Clarke Farms, Challenger Park Estates, and Villages of Parker. The remarkably low crime scores of 0.016 are a direct result of Stonegate’s master-planned neighborhood, a sense of community, and effective HOA administration.
The Verdict
Stonegate raises the bar through an unbeatable master-planned lifestyle.
Now, the cost of ownership in Stonegate might be marginally higher, ranging between $553,000 and $630,000. But the payoff is in the lifestyle that comes with being part of such an exceptional community where families can prosper.
Regardless of whether you prefer more general Parker or the more upscale experience that Stonegate offers, you’ll see exactly why this area of the state is always drawing in families, young professionals, and seniors who are searching for the ideal mix of suburban tranquility and urban amenities.
