Town of Parker, Colorado

Cue “Defying Gravity” — Construction of the Town Hall addition reached a major milestone Dec. 19 as the final steel beam of the building’s frame soared into place. Prior to the topping out ceremony, Town of Parker staff, Mayor and Town Council, and Planning Commission members were invited to sign the beam. It was then lifted into position, adorned with a pine tree (in its holiday best), as is a long-standing construction tradition that traces back to Scandinavian roots, and modernly, marks framing’s completion and bestows good luck to the building and its future occupants. About the Project:  The Town Hall addition and renovation project will add 32,043 square feet of new office space and fully renovate the current facility that opened in 2002. It will provide not only much-needed work spaces for employees, which is essential as Parker continues to grow, but also provides for safety and security enhancements, accessibility improvements, upgrading of technology and systems, and space for additional community services not currently offered by the Town. Construction, which began in August, will occur in two phases. Phase 1, anticipated to be 14 months long, includes construction of the new facility addition, while Phase 2 will feature renovation of the existing Town Hall space over five months. Final completion is expected in early 2026. Find additional renderings and project information at https://lnkd.in/gfeSxeQU.

We're hiring! The latest positions posted at ParkerCO.gov/Employment: • Seasonal Streets Maintenance Technician - Snow Removal • Sales Tax Auditor • Day Camp Counselor • Fitness Instructor • Personal Trainer

Results are in for the 2024 Community Survey — Read below and visit ParkerCO.gov/Survey to see the complete results. This survey, which is conducted every three years, gives residents an opportunity to provide performance feedback to their local government and communicate priorities for community planning and resource allocation. The 2024 edition was the 11th community survey in the Town's history. Survey results reveal resident opinions about Parker’s quality of life, Town services and public trust, as well as provide insight into resident engagement in the community. The Town’s elected officials and staff utilize these results to monitor trends in resident opinions, measure government performance over time and inform budgetary and strategic planning decisions. Earlier this fall, staff presented the survey findings to the Mayor and Council during a work session to explore the results in detail. Conducted by national research firm Polco, the 2024 Parker Community Survey was a statistically valid survey that was mailed to a representative sample of 4,000 Parker residents in summer 2024. This year’s survey received an increased response rate over the 2021 survey at 14 percent, reversing a recent trend of lower response rates over the years. Additionally, an open participation survey was offered to allow citizens not selected for the official survey to share their feedback. Polco’s analysis of the 2024 survey results revealed five key findings: • Residents feel positively about Parker’s quality of life • Community participation in cultural programs has increased in recent years • Satisfaction with Town services and local government remains strong • The Town’s monthly newsletter (Talk of the Town) continues to be a valued source of information about community matters • Population and construction growth continues to be identified as a community concern Parker’s residents continue to be pleased with the overall quality of life in their community, with 86% of respondents rating it as either “excellent” or “good.” About 9 in 10 respondents praised the community as a place to raise children and as a place to live. Among the characteristics related to community livability in our Town, the top responses included fitness opportunities (86%), as well as community cleanliness (83%) and safety (82%). Community growth was identified as an important issue by survey respondents, with 82% describing population growth and 76% of new housing construction as “too fast.” About 45% classified retail growth in the community as “just right.”

Parker’s the perfect place to create a little holiday magic with your friends and family! Read below and visit ParkerCO.gov/Events to see the many seasonal activities we’ve got planned. • Mayor's Holiday Lighting: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 in O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Drive — Be there when the holiday lights switch on! Gather in the park and join Mayor Jeff Toborg, Town Council, and the Parker Chorale as they begin the event with a Silent Night sing-along followed by the grand park lighting at approximately 5:40 p.m. Once the park is illuminated, enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, ice sculpture displays, stage performances, walk-around entertainers, a scavenger hunt, and food vendors. • Hometown Holidays Kick-Off Saturday: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 in O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Drive — Usher in the season with an afternoon of free activities including live reindeer, appearances from Elsa, Olaf plus Buddy the Elf and other holiday characters, s’mores and fire pits, a Parker Express kids’ train ride, carolers, food vendors and activities with event sponsors. • Weekend Holiday Character Appearances: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 30 to Dec. 15 — Buddy the Elf and his holiday character friends will be strolling along Mainstreet in Downtown Parker on weekends through Dec. 15. (Note, Buddy will not be in attendance on Dec. 7) • Elf Around Town Scavenger Hunt: If you spot Buddy the Elf along Mainstreet, take a photo with him and post it on the Town's Facebook page (@TownOfParkerCO) by 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16 to be entered into a prize drawing. • Decoration Displays: Three decoration displays await you in Downtown Parker this holiday season: Gingerbread Lane at The Schoolhouse, 19650 Mainstreet; Polar Bear Land at Discovery Park, 20115 E. Mainstreet; and Santa’s Workshop at O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Drive • Holidays Home Decorating Contest: Enter Dec. 2 to 13 — Decorate your home for the season and enter to be named one of the best decorated homes in Parker! Winners in 5 contest categories will receive a commemorative yard sign. • Parker Ice Trail at Discovery Park (ParkerRec.com/IceTrail): Open seven days a week beginning Nov. 29, the Ice Trail allows skaters to meander around a path reminiscent of a frozen river or canal. Visitors can also warm up next to fire pits or sip hot chocolate from the on-site concession stand. • Parker Arts Holiday Shows (https://lnkd.in/gTQswYmd): Christmas with Mat and Savanna Shaw on Nov. 27, Santa’s Circus on Nov. 30, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Christmas Canteen on Dec. 1, A Classic Parker Holiday on Dec. 7 and 8, and Parker Arts and Denver Ballet Theatre Present The Nutcracker from Dec. 12 to 17.

We're hiring! The latest positions posted at ParkerCO.gov/Employment: • Sales Tax Auditor • Associate Planner - Comprehensive Planning • Streets Maintenance Technician • Seasonal Streets Maintenance Technician - Snow Removal • Facility Attendant • Day Camp Counselor • Climbing Wall Attendant  • Adaptive Water Safety/Swim Lesson Instructor  • Sports Official

Read the November/December Talk of the Town newsletter at ParkerCO.gov/TalkOfTheTown  In this issue: • Holiday Activities in Parker • Snow Operations Overview  • 2025 Preliminary Budget Public Hearings  • Parker 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update Begins  • Support the Greater Parker Foundation on Colorado Gives Day  • Special Licensing Authority Seeks Volunteers  • Parker Parks and Recreation Update • Parker Arts Update • Parker Police Department Update • And More!

Today, Oct. 28, we recognize First Responder Appreciation Day. Thank you to the Parker Police Department and our local South Metro Fire Rescue stations for all they do for our community!

The Autumn 2024 Town Manager Report is published at https://lnkd.in/gRkXtpvT, and in this issue you’ll find: • Notable actions from recent Town Council meetings • Highlights of Town-organized events and activities  • Capital improvement project news  • Development and building activity summaries • And more Town Department and community updates

In honor of National Arts and Humanities Month, we want to recognize and thank the Parker Arts team for all their work for the Town of Parker!

Read October's Talk of the Town newsletter at ParkerCO.gov/TalkOfTheTown In this issue: • Halloween Home Decorating Contest • Name a Snowplow Contest Winners • 2024 Election Information • Fieldhouse Fright Night • Community Development Corner • Parker Arts Update • Parker Parks and Recreation Update • Parker Police Department Update • And More!