2012 Budget - South Suburban Parks and Recreation

South Suburban Park and Recreation District
Profile of the District
The South Suburban Park and Recreation District (District) is a quasi-municipal corporation
and a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, formed in 1959 pursuant to state law, for
the purpose of providing recreational facilities and services for District residents. In 1959,
approximately 45,000 people lived in the District. In 2012, that population now totals more
than 135,000 residents. The District includes the cities of Bow Mar, Columbine Valley,
Littleton, Sheridan, Lone Tree (west of I-25), City of Centennial (west of I-25), and portions
of unincorporated Douglas, Jefferson, and Arapahoe counties.
The District’s boundary encompasses approximately 49 square miles and operates and
maintains 1,456 acres of developed parks, 2,016 acres of natural areas, 82 miles of trails, and
492 acres of special facilities. Undeveloped land totals 340 acres. District facilities include
two 18-hole golf courses, an 18-hole executive golf course, a 9-hole par 3 course, a 9-hole
executive golf course, an air structure (sports dome) housing a multipurpose athletic field, a
two-tiered 60-station (30 heated) driving range, a nature center, four outdoor and three indoor
swimming pools, a 36-hole miniature golf course, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a 9-
station batting cage facility, a BMX track, 58 playgrounds, two inline hockey rinks, 4 skate
parks, 65 outdoor tennis courts (16 lighted), a six court indoor tennis facility, four recreation
centers, an entertainment arcade, two ice arenas totaling four sheets of ice, 98 (7 lighted)
baseball/softball fields, (including one with artificial turf), over 114 multi-purpose fields,
(including four with artificial turf), two maintenance service centers, and a general
administration office building.
In addition, the District has an entity that is fiscally dependent upon it. The King C. Hudson
and Evelyn Leigh Hudson Foundation (Hudson Gardens) was incorporated in 1986 for the
purpose of preserving, maintaining, and enhancing the natural beauty of approximately 30
acres of land. Hudson Gardens, which opened in 1996, operates 16 separate display gardens,
an event center which hosts programs on educational and cultural activities, numerous
weddings, and a summer concert series. The land, including certain permanent structures on
which Hudson Gardens operates, was purchased by the District in 1998. There is no legally
adopted annual budget for this entity.
A five member Board of Directors governs the District. The Board members are elected
from within the District’s boundaries. Directors are elected to serve staggered four year
terms, with a term limit of eight years. The Board normally meets on the 2 nd and 4 th
Wednesdays of each month, unless a special meeting is called. The Board, which adopts
policies, assigns District administrative responsibilities to the Executive Director. The
Executive Director is responsible for implementing the policies of the District and overseeing
all operations.
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