Evergreen Park & Recreation District

What Evergreen Park & Recreation District does

Evergreen Park & Recreation District (EPRD) is a Colorado special district founded in 1969 that delivers parks, recreation facilities, programs, and community events to residents across portions of Evergreen, Indian Hills, Kittredge, and the Morrison/Golden sectors. The district operates three primary facilities — Wulf Recreation Center (fitness, 6-lane 25-yard pool, gymnastics, gymnasium, dance studio, playschool), Buchanan Park Recreation Center (currently undergoing a major expansion to add an 8-lane indoor pool, all-wheels skatepark, performance pavilion, and gym/fieldhouse), and Evergreen Lake House (event venue that converts to a winter Skating Center and summer boating hub) — plus 15 owned park parcels totaling over 75 acres and partnerships on roughly 180 additional acres across 7 parcels. Programming spans Youth (aftercare, camps, aquatics, gymnastics, dance, sports, climbing), Adults (fitness, pickleball, cycling, sports), Active Adults 50+ (fitness, excursions, trips), and INSPIRE (special needs inclusion). EPRD is governed by an elected Board and led by Executive Director Cory Vander Veen with a team of approximately 17+ named administrative, supervisory, and program staff.

EPRD's revenue model combines property taxes (the structural base), program and activity fees (aftercare at $22/day, youth tennis at $175-$300/session, family night out at $25/child, weight room orientation at $10-$13), facility admission and rental fees, an annual $375 non-resident opt-in fee that grants district pricing for the year, plus grants and donations (over $1M in grants and $100K+ in donations for Buchanan Park projects). Pricing is tiered with District Residents receiving approximately 25% discounts funded by their property tax contribution. Program registration and facility bookings run through the third-party ActiveNet platform; the website additionally integrates Google Analytics, hCaptcha, Aira accessibility support, and Microsoft Teams for virtual public meetings.

In October 2023, EPRD's Board unanimously adopted a 5-Year Strategic Plan with three initiatives — Take Care of What We Have, Rebuild Recreation (74% of the $26.3M plan), and Expand Facilities and Services — and voters approved a property tax extension in November 2023 to fund it. As of 2026, EPRD is mid-execution of this plan with three concurrent Buchanan Park groundbreakings (aquatics expansion April 2, skatepark May 26, pavilion June 10), and the district maintains deep community integration evidenced by 2,365+ engagement touchpoints during strategic planning, 250,000+ annual visits to Dedisse Park alone, and active partnerships with Jefferson County School District, Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society, Active4All Evergreen Foundation, Friends of Buchanan Park, Wild Aware, and QuikTrip (for historic El Rancho building material salvage).

Name

Evergreen Park & Recreation District

Legal name

Evergreen Park & Recreation District

Website

https://evergreenrecreation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Evergreen Park & Recreation District is a Colorado special district founded in 1969 that operates recreation centers, parks, and community programs for residents across Evergreen, Indian Hills, Kittredge, and Morrison/Golden, funded by property taxes, user fees, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Parks & Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAMAH

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYEDALAIAD

Campus Recreation Centers & Fitness Facilities Operations

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Athletics, Recreation & Fitness

SECONDARYTHAMAJAJ

Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus)

Travel & Hospitality/Vacation Rentals & Short-Term Stays/Campgrounds, Glamping & RV Parks

Keywords

• Public parks recreation
• Community recreation programs
• Aquatics fitness facilities
• Youth adult sports leagues
• Special district services

Headquarters

HQ city

Evergreen

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Taxes: District residents contribute through property taxes, which funds operations and provides resident pricing discounts on facilities and programs.
2. Program and Activity Fees: Fees for youth programs, adult programming, camps, aquatics, gymnastics, sports leagues, and special interest classes.
3. Non-Resident Opt-in Fee: Annual $375 opt-in fee allows non-district residents to receive district pricing for the entire year.
4. Facility Admission and Rental Fees: Drop-in fees for pool, fitness areas, gymnasiums, and rental fees for lake house, meeting rooms, and park shelters.
5. Grants and Donations: The district receives grant funding and community donations for capital improvements, particularly for Buchanan Park projects ($1M+ in grants, $100K+ raised).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Evergreen Park & Recreation District operates parks, recreation centers, an event/lake venue, and over 75 acres of parkland, offering youth, adult, active-adult, and special-needs (INSPIRE) programming alongside facility rentals, lake activities, and community events. Services are funded primarily through property taxes, with program fees, facility admissions, rentals, grants, and donations supplementing revenue.

Product overview

Evergreen Park & Recreation District operates as a unified recreation services platform offering access to multiple facilities, comprehensive programming, and community events. The district manages three primary facilities: Wulf Recreation Center (fitness, aquatics, gymnastics, playschool), Buchanan Park Recreation Center (undergoing major expansion with new pool/pavilion/skatepark), and Evergreen Lake House (event venue and seasonal skating/boating center). Core programs include Youth Programming (camps, aquatics, gymnastics, sports), Adult Programming (fitness, sports, classes), and Active Adult Programming (50+ fitness and excursions), plus INSPIRE special needs services. The district maintains over 75 acres of parkland across 15 parcels with trails, sports fields, and outdoor recreation. Seasonal offerings include Summer Concert Series, Movies in the Park, boat rentals, and ice skating. Programs and facility access are managed through ActiveNet registration platform. The district is executing a 5-year Strategic Plan focused on maintaining facilities, rebuilding recreation at Buchanan Park, and expanding services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wulf Recreation Center Full-service recreation center offering a 1,600 sq ft cardio/weight fitness area, dance studio, gymnasium, gymnastics gym, meeting rooms, outdoor pavilion, playschool, and a 25-yard 6-lane pool. Open 5:30 AM–9 PM weekdays, 7 AM–4 PM Saturday, and 7 AM–6 PM Sunday.
• Buchanan Park Recreation Center Recreation center housing fitness facilities, gymnasium, and serving as the venue for major community events; undergoing major improvements including an 8-lane aquatics expansion, new pavilion, all-wheels skatepark, playground, gym/fieldhouse, and accessible trails.
• Evergreen Lake House Event venue overlooking Evergreen Lake featuring the Great Room with stone fireplace, the Octagon Room, and an outdoor deck. Serves as a venue for weddings, events, and meetings; transforms into a Skating Center during winter months. Lake property includes a 40-acre lake, 1.3-mile trail, observation boardwalk, and 2-acre picnic park.
• Youth Programming Comprehensive youth activities for ages 18 and under including After Care, Enrichment & Camps, Aquatics, Climbing, Dance, Gymnastics, Family & Kid's Nights Out, Sports, Summer Camps, and Weight Room Orientation.
• Adult Programming Programs for adults ages 16 and older including Aquatics, Climbing, Cornhole, Cycling, Dance, Dog Training Classes, Fitness & Wellness, Gymnastics & Aerial Fabric, Pickleball, and Sports.
• Active Adult Programming Programs for adults ages 50 and older including Fitness, Activities, Excursions, and Trips to various destinations.
• INSPIRE Special Needs Program Special needs programming providing inclusive recreational opportunities and support for individuals with disabilities of all ages, including swim lessons, climbing, and other special needs recreation services.
• Evergreen Lake Summer Activities Seasonal summer lake activities including Boat Rentals, Bring Your Own Personal Watercraft, Youth Lake Activities, Lake House Yoga & SUP Yoga, and Fishing. Lake House open for boating 8 AM to 7 PM.
• Evergreen Lake Winter Activities Winter activities including Public Ice Skating and Winter Programs & Activities. The Lake House transforms into the Skating Center during winter months.
• Summer Concert Series Annual summer concert series held at Buchanan Park and Evergreen Lake House venues featuring various musical performances throughout the summer season.
• Movies in the Park Free community outdoor movie series at Buchanan Park Ballfields featuring family films, food trucks, inflatable activities, and face painting.
• Parks System District-owned parkland totaling over 75 acres across 15 parcels plus approximately 180 additional partnered acres, including Alderfer/Three Sisters Barn Site, Arrowhead Park, Buchanan Park, Evergreen Lake & Trail, Graham Field, Kittredge Park, Marshdale Park, Stagecoach Park, and Wulf Park with trails, disc golf, outdoor courts, and park reservations.
• Boating Camp Summer camp for ages 6.5 to 12 offering kayaking, canoeing, fishing, ecosystem studies, and boating skills. Sessions run Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays from June through August, with optional adventure field trips and survival skills classes. $350 per weekly 3-day session.
• Gymnastics Programs Youth and adult gymnastics programs including Bronze and Silver competitive teams, circus camps, cheerleading camps, preschool gymnastics camps, and open gymnastics sessions.
• Facility Rentals Rental options for meetings, parties, and events at recreation centers and Evergreen Lake House, including park shelter reservations.
• EPRD Rolling Recreation Trailer Mobile recreation unit that brings activities and programs to events and locations outside of standard EPRD facilities.
• Early Bird Angler's Club Active Adult fishing program offering monthly trips to local fishing spots in the area.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250,000 visits annually to Dedisse Park alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Jefferson County School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2025Collaborated with EPRD on the relocation of Historic Buffalo Park School (built 1877) from Wilmot Elementary to Marshdale Park. The school district provided support for the historic preservation project.
• QuikTripmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025QuikTrip partnered with EPRD to salvage materials from the El Rancho building that was being demolished during Buchanan Park expansion. The partnership preserves vintage building materials and keeps them in the community as part of a new performance pavilion tribute to the beloved local landmark.
• Evergreen Mountain Area Historical SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered with EPRD to preserve Buffalo Park School and will use the 10x15 schoolhouse for educational and living-history programs for children and adults. EMAHS covered costs for moving the historic building.
• Friends of Buchanan ParkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Community organization supporting Buchanan Park improvements through fundraising events including cornhole tournaments and Boogie at the Ranch. Helps bring the park from Good to Great.
• Active4All Evergreen FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting INSPIRE special needs programs through donations. Contributes to funding programs like INSPIRE, Swim Lessons, Climbing, and other special needs recreation services.
• Wild AwareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer organization present at Evergreen Lake during summer months to educate and inform users about wildlife, supporting safe human-wildlife coexistence.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• South Suburban Parks and Recreation District: Colorado special recreation district operating recreation centers, pools, sports leagues, and parks across the south Denver metro area. Comparable in governance structure, facility footprint, and programming breadth to EPRD.
• Foothills Park & Recreation District: Colorado special district providing parks, recreation facilities, and programming to Jefferson County foothills communities. Closest comparable peer to EPRD in structure, funding model (property-tax-funded special district), and service mix.
• Highlands Ranch Metro District Parks & Recreation: Special district governing Highlands Ranch with recreation centers, pools, parks, and extensive youth/adult programming. Highly comparable in tax-funded special-district model and full-service recreation delivery.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Metropolitan Denver: Nonprofit membership organization operating fitness centers, pools, youth programming, and adult/senior activities across the Denver metro. Direct competitor for swim lessons, gymnastics, youth sports, and adult fitness programming in EPRD's market.
• Lifetime Fitness (Life Time): National premium fitness operator with locations serving affluent mountain-front communities. Competes for adult fitness, swimming, and family programming spend in the same demographic that EPRD targets with resident and non-resident pricing.

Regional players

• Boulder Parks and Recreation: City of Boulder department operating recreation centers, pools, and parks. Similar programming categories (youth, adult, seniors) but funded through municipal general fund rather than a dedicated special-district property tax.
• Denver Parks and Recreation: Municipal parks and recreation department serving Denver with extensive facilities, programs, and park acreage. Comparable in core service delivery but operates at much larger scale as a city department rather than special district.
• Jefferson County Open Space: Jefferson County agency managing open space and trail systems in the same mountain/foothills geography as EPRD. Directly comparable on parks, trails, and conservation focus, though narrower (no recreation centers or programs).

Others

• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA): National trade association for parks and recreation agencies. Provides benchmarking, certification, and policy advocacy relevant to EPRD's strategic planning, programming standards, and ADA compliance.

Emerging players

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver: Nonprofit youth-development organization offering after-school care, camps, sports, and enrichment programs. Overlaps with EPRD's youth programming (after care, camps, sports, aquatics) for school-age children in the same regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Evergreen Park & Recreation District