Parker is located in Douglas County, 20 miles south of downtown Denver in the southeast part of the metro area.
Parker was founded in 1864, when its original occupants consisted of settlers and miners heading west in search for gold. Today, Parker is a thriving modern town with more than 48,000 residents, which is a huge increase from when it was originally incorporated as a town in 1981, with only 285 residents.
Not just another suburb, Parker has a downtown historic area on Mainstreet which features shops and restaurants, and is home to one of the only ice trails in the country, reminiscent of a frozen river or canal during the winter, where skaters meander through Discovery Park. Mainstreet has many events throughout the year, but is most famously known for its winter holiday events. Also on Mainstreet is the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center, which hosts art exhibits, classes, theatre productions and performances by the Parker Symphony Orchestra.
The Parker Recreation Center was built to feature something for everyone, and includes a fieldhouse fitness center, a large indoor pool, cycling studio and more. Outdoors, the Denver Metro Cherry Creek Trail runs along Cherry Creek North and directly through Parker. The trail is great for walking, running, cycling, or even cross-country skiing after snow storms.
