Steve Scheer - Denver Real Estate - Highlands Ranch Real Estate

Old Littleton has many parts that are simply charming and if you venture off the main road just a little bit, you will run into the War Memorial Rose Garden.

This is the time of year that the gardens are just spectacular.

There are weddings and other special events here on a regular basis - the gazebo in the gardens is a perfect spot for a wedding.

The Sterne Fountains in the middle also tend to be a popular spot for formal photography. The pictures here were taken in the end of June of this year.

The War Memorial Rose Garden is located at 5804 Bemis Street, just across the street from Sterne Park.

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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I recently had a couple that was relocating to the Denver area and they were looking to buy a home in Highlands Ranch. They mentioned that they didn't see the need in Colorado to have a pool in their backyard (good thing, as there aren't that many that do) but they did decide that they wanted to be in a neighborhood that had its own smaller community pool.

Now Highlands Ranch does have 4 Recreation Centers within the Highlands Ranch Community Association - but these folks wanted the smaller community pool as well - and still be in Highlands Ranch.

A few days later I had another couple thinking of moving to Highlands Ranch with a similar request.

I had previously wrote a post about what neighborhoods have pools in Highlands Ranch - but since its summer, its hot and it was a hot & recent topic, let's take a peak at it one more time.

Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Neighborhoods With Their Own Pools

If you are looking to buy a home in Highlands Ranch, you probably already know that Highlands Ranch has a very efficiently run HOA, the Highlands Ranch Community Association (aka HRCA) that in addition to many other things houses & maintains 4 very beautiful recreation centers, each with an assortment of indoor and outdoor pools.

But in addition to the rec centers, there are some neighborhoods that have secondary HOA's - some of which also include their own neighborhood outdoor pool. Often times I do have folks that are relocating to Highland Ranch that specifically inquire about these neighborhoods with their own pools - so here they are (in no particular order). In general you will find that the Highlands Ranch neighborhood pools are open from mid-May until mid-September and sometimes those dates do fluctuate. They are also fully gated areas that are locked and only allow access to residents of the specific neighborhood and their guests.

Indigo Hill - located at Broadway and Wildcat Reserve Parkway, this Highlands Ranch neighborhood has its own gated community pool that is very attractive and centrally located.

Weatherstone - Weatherstone continues to be one of the top neighborhoods in Highlands Ranch that I receive inquiries about, and among other very nice amenities, the community pool certainly is a part of that. Weatherstone is located off of Wildcat Reserve Parkway and can be entered on Stone Mountain or Weathersfield Way.

Timberline Ridge - One of the "older" neighborhoods of Highlands Ranch - but older can be better - depends on what you are looking for. These Highlands Ranch homes often have a bit larger yards, some more mature landscaping, and of course, there is the community pool that is a big drawing point as well. Timberline Ridge is in Northridge and can be entered from various points off of University Blvd. and Venneford Ranch Rd.

The Highwoods - A gated community in itself, The Highwoods homes start (currently) at about $950,000 and go up from there and its community pool is also coupled with a tennis courts. This luxurious neighborhood sits high up in Highlands Ranch and many homes offer commanding views of the entire front range. The Highwoods are located off of Broadway and there are gated entrances on Broadway and Gateway.

Falcon Hills - Another gated community - in fact 2 in one - Falcon Hills North and Falcon Hills South was the first gated, luxury & executive neighborhood in Highlands Ranch and has a very nice community pool as well as many other features that help in stand apart from other neighborhoods.

BackCountry - Still in its earlier stages of development - The BackCountry does not have a pool yet, but it is in the plans as part of the SunDial House Complex. BackCountry is located off of Wildcat Reserve Parkway at BackCountry Drive. The only entrance open right now is on BackCountry Drive at Broadway & Wildcat Reserve Parkway.

If you are not looking at single family homes in Highlands Ranch, but instead are considering a Highlands Ranch town home or condo, there are also pool communities that cover that as well.

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Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver Homes Here

Denver Living - Adventure At Lair O’ The Bear

Last weekend we had a little family adventure time and we decided to take our very first Colorado Outdoor Outing with our new puppy. He had recently finished his puppy shots & we had the green light to pretty much take him wherever. So we did. I had been extremely busy the week prior with Denver relocation clients, so I was thrilled to have some downtime with my family.

We decided to try out one of our favorite stand-bys - Lair O' the Bear Park in Bear Creek Canyon- located just west of Morrison in Jefferson County. We have been there many times over the years, it was one of the first places we have taken out kids hiking and it seemed rather appropriate that it be Tully's first grand adventure as well. His favorite part (other than the water) may have been having a wide variety of sticks to carry.

One set of the trails run along one side of Bear Creek and there are plenty of shallow entry spots for you to dip your toes. Tully loved it and the kids were happy to join him - so was I actually.

We saw some folks fly fishing and plenty of people hiking & even some on mountain bikes. There are also a few trails that loop around so you can take a 1 or 2 mile loop which is fun too. We saw the wildflowers starting to bloom and there were parts of a thicker forest as well.

The kids wanted to get back to the water, as did the dog so we found a nice shady spot by the creek. There are actually a very nice amount of picnic spots that are not far form the car at all. We enjoyed a very nice leisurely picnic lunch with plenty of playtime and tree climbing as well.

Many people say it is not uncommon to see wildlife at Lair O' The Bear - on this particular adventure we saw a variety of bugs, butterflies and some tiny fish but that was about it.

There were Jefferson County rangers at the park though educating folks about many things - one thing that caught our eye was their model of a rattlesnake. Many people through the Denver area have seen rattlesnakes lately and we were warned, but we never saw any sign of them. Thankfully.

I think when many people first move to Denver they think that to really get away and enjoy the Colorado outdoors with hiking and fishing you really need to head all of the way into the mountains. Not true. It took us just 35 minute to arrive at Lair O' The Bear from our own driveway. We only made it a few hour adventure so it is perfect for just a quick getaway. Now granted - this isn't going to be the most challenging hike you have ever been on - but it is absolutely perfect for a family outing, picnic or place to bring dogs. We love it!

Lair O' The Bear is located along Bear Creek Canyon on Highway 74. From C470, exit at Morrison Road, drive through Morrison and just keep on going. the park entrance will be on your left about 3 miles into the canyon.

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver Homes Here

As the temps in Denver near 100 this weekend and as I plan my own trip to Water World with my family for next week (we are going on Monday is the weather cooperates) - I thought I would re-post this list that I made from last summer of Denver Area Water Parks. My kids are very excite about our upcoming visit to Water World and have already visited their map online to figure out where they want to "sit" (although we don't do much sitting) and what rides they want to ride first. It sounds like we will be heading to Voyage To The Center of The Earth, first.

If you are going to try out Water World - there is a great 4 pack offer available through King Soopers that also includes lunch.

The picture below is from Pirates Cove in Englewood, Colorado.

Enjoy!

Denver is Hot - Where Do you go to Cool Off?

When my family gets hot, we love to go swimming. But to add a bit more excitement, they love the water parks. And I get to be a kid too when we go.

Fortunately the Denver area has plenty of them. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Pirates Cove, Englewood - located on Belleview across from Cornerstone Park
  Pirates Cove is large enough to have a wide range of fun but small enough that it just isn't "too" big. My kids love Pirates Cove - they float for hours on the lazy river and love the giant slides. They also enjoy heading down to the larger pool and use the diving board. Little ones will enjoy splashing about in the zero entry pool complete with an water playground and giant bucket of water overhead that pours out over the kids a few times each hour. This is a great park for those on a budget, and coupons can be pretty easily found throughout town and also in the Entertainment Books & such. Englewood residents & those with a South Suburban id card receive a resident rate. Passes for multiple visits, family passes and season passes are also available.

• H2O'Brien, Parker - located on Parker Road, just north of Main Street
  H2O'Brien is loads of fun - just get their early, especially if you want a chance of getting a spot in the shade. This water playground has a zero entry area as well - and is loads of fun for those little ones. My kids favorite here are the giant slide and my son loves the basketball hoops mounted on the sides of the pool by the deeper area. Another very affordable option, and punch passes and season passes are available for a great rate as well. Parker residents do receive a resident rate with id.

• Splash Aquatics Park - Golden, CO - 3151 Illinois Street
  This park is also a favorite with more great slides, splash area for the smaller ones and tube rides as well. There is also a beach-like sand area at splash for those sand castle builders, so bring a pail & shovel. I can also recommend this park for the budget minded folks, and again resident rates (Jefferson County) are available as are punch passes and season pass options.

• Water World -Denver - Located at West 89th Avenue & Pecos Street
  More of a Water Amusement Park, this option can get a little pricier - but it is worth it. The giant wave pool is a huge hit, especially for the older kids and teens. There are several water playground areas for the younger ones as well. The true attractions here are the rides with all kinds of rafting rides - some more adventurous than others. There are also slides of all types with steep drops and crazy turns. You will be worn out after this park, it is a full day and is really fun.

• The Water Park at Elitch Gardens - Island Kingdom- Denver - Speer Blvd and Elitch Circle (off of I25 & Speer)
  The Elitches Water park is not as big as Water World, but almost as fun. Again, a great water playground area for the younger ones, but the older kids (and adults) are not forgotten on this side of the park. An added bonus is you can also ride the rides on the amusement park side as well. Look for coupons around town for this park as well.

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Denver Real Estate

Last weekend we decided to eat out and everyone wanted Mexican food, so we decided to head over to Rio Grande in Lone Tree. There is also another one in Denver- its actually in LoDo not far from Coors Field. But for this dinner out we stayed closer to home.

The Rio Grande has been one of our favorites since the Lone Tree location opened - the chips & salsa are great and everything else on the menu is fabulous too. It is also one of the place I recommend checking out when the first move to the Denver area.

My kids both really enjoy the nachos - my son has graduated off of the kids menu and gets the chicken nachos. They are a little different than your standard nachos - Each chip is heaped with toppings and baked in a single layer instead of your usual pile of chips with everything on top. When I ask him if they are good, he just nods his head because he is eating.

My daughter went with the kids enchilada. Its nice because she doesn't really eat the rice & beans - so there they offer her 2 enchiladas instead of the sides that she won't eat.

My wife is generally a chicken burritos gal, so I was shocked when she ordered chicken enchilada with the tomatillo salsa, but she said they were great. I generally mix it up and this time when with the carne burrito.

If you are going on a weekend, consider calling ahead seating as after 6:00 there is generally a wait and it can be substantial at times. Service is great, food is great, atmosphere is great. The Lone Tree restaurant has a upstairs in addition to the bar downstairs, so if you do have a table wait at least there is room to spread out a bit. There is also a patio for outdoor dining.

Throughout the summer, there is a band at the Rio Grande on Thursday evenings. They also have Salsa lessons on Tuesday and "Kids Eat Free' on Mondays. You can look at the schedule for all of that here. The Rio is also quite known for their margaritas - but we didn't have them this time around as this was just a low key family dinner with the kids.

The Rio Grande in located in Lone Tree, Colorado in The Entertainment District off of Park Meadows Drive - just south of C470 and Yosemite.. There are also 5 other Colorado locations (including the already mentioned one LoDo) and another in Austin, Texas.

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver Homes Here