Neighborhood Spotlight: Lone Tree
Lone Tree is a town for families. Located in South Denver right along the RTD Light Rail, Lone Tree has just over 13,000 people living in the city, according to data from the most recent U.S. Census. This smaller population gives Lone Tree a small-town vibe that makes the community feel well, like a community!
And when it comes to the population of children in Lone Tree, the census reports that 5.4% of the total population is children under 5 years old, and 22% of the population is under 18. That means there are plenty of children of all ages in town that your own kids can meet at school, on the local playground, or while attending a local club or sports league.
MANY FANTASTIC SCHOOLS
What’s more, Lone Tree children get some of the best educational opportunities in the country. Not only are the three major school districts — Douglas County, Littleton, and Cherry Creek — highly rated schools at every level in the town of Lone Tree, there are also many private and charter schools you can enroll your children in.
According to Niche.com, many of the elementary, middle, and high schools in Lone Tree have an A rating and student-teacher ratios between 16:1 to 21:1. A few of the local high schools — Cherry Creek High School and STEM School Highlands Ranch High School — even made the U.S. News and World Report’s top 20 high schools in Colorado.
SURROUNDED BY NATURE
In Lone Tree, you are super close to so many parks and natural areas where you can explore the great outdoors through hiking, biking, skiing, playing sports, and more.
Altair Park is a little neighborhood park complete with a few sports fields, a playground the kids can climb on, picnic spots, and simple walking trails. Sweetwater Park features playgrounds, basketball courts, and a baseball field in addition to lots of open grass to run around or picnic on. Bluffs Regional Park has a small picnic area and connections to trail systems like Highlands Ranch Trails and the East/West Regional Trail. The Bluffs hike has some of the best views of all of the Denver Metro. It really is something!
Plus, Lone Tree is within 30 miles of Cherry Creek State Park, Chatfield State Park, and Roxborough State Park, and a few hours’ drive can take you to many other national parks and forests, too.
ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE
Lone Tree actually offers a lot of great arts, music, theater, and culture on its own. You can catch a show or event at the Lone Tree Arts Center, including musical performances from local and touring music acts, plays performed by local thespians, and educational events from organizations like National Geographic. Also, Schweiger Ranch is a wonderful historic gem in Lone Tree that hosts special events like nature hikes and storytelling.
Other nearby towns offer world-class entertainment and diverse culture for you to enjoy, too. The Centennial hosts a portion of the Colorado Music & Festival, where you can enjoy concerts from major touring artists and check out unique art displays. In Aurora to the north, you can watch live theater at the Vintage Theater there, and in Morrison to the west, you can catch events like the Indian Market and Ceremonial Dance and the 1840 Rendezvous & Spanish Colonial Art Market, both of which feature live performances, educational activities, and cultural demonstrations.
TONS OF KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA
The Lone Tree area has no shortage of kid-friendly activities for children of all ages, in addition to the previously mentioned Schweiger Ranch and nearby parks.
For some high-flying adventure without getting too far off the ground, head to iFLY Denver right in Lone Tree. This indoor skydiving facility offers Flight School for kids ages 4 to 16 who want to learn flying basics and neat in-the-air tricks. If you’re looking for a place to escape the heat, then make your way to Pirates Cove Waterpark in Littleton. Enjoy some time in the leisure pool, zoom down a water slide, or hang out in the lazy river.
Let your kids practice their putt before hitting a local Lone Tree golf course and play some mini golf at Colorado Journey Miniature Golf in Littleton and see some of Colorado’s best sites in miniature form while you putt around the 18-hole course. You can zip around the go-kart course at Littleton’s K1 Indoor Karting, perfect for a snowy or rainy day. Or, hit the outdoor track at Boondocks Food & Fun in Parker, where you’ll find a little of everything: go-karts for younger and older kids, an arcade, bowling, laser tag, mini golf, bumper boats, and yummy food.
Lone Tree also boasts an awesome library and Recreation Center.
FOOD
Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli is an excellent little spot that even serves breakfast burritos (my favorite lunchtime nosh is a Cajun Turkey sandwich). Costa Vida is a fast casual spot but don’t skip on their awesome pork salad. For Italian options, Cranelli’s and Via Baci are excellent. Lone Tree also has it’s own Super Target, Sprouts, Firehouse Subs, and Snooze for your breakfast hankerings.
In addition to these local attractions, parks, food, and perks, you’re also super close to Denver and its world-class museums, events, shows, and culture.