Since Tuesday, Sept. 8, the playground at Civic Green Park has been behind construction fencing. So have the overlook shelter, the upper fountains and the wading stream next to it. In good weather, that corner is usually the center of Highlands Ranch Town Center. On Saturday, Dec. 12, the same block is set to hold Santa photos, a holiday market and a tree lighting.
Between those two dates is a stretch of about three months. The playground work is expected to run through late November, according to the Highlands Ranch Metro District. That estimate is about two weeks before Hometown Holiday, but the Metro District hasn't announced a reopening date. Until the work is done, the businesses and buildings around the park are what keep Town Center busy, and this fall a few of them are new or close to their season's end.
What's Behind the Fence
The equipment coming out is 19 years old. The Metro District schedules one or two playground replacements a year. Staff pick them based on the condition of the equipment and the budget available. Civic Green's turn came after a neighborhood meeting on March 28 and a feedback survey that ran from March 31 to April 12. The board approved the equipment at its June meetings.
The feedback shaped two big changes. The new playground will be bigger than the old one, and continuous rubber surfacing will replace the wood chips. Here's what the Metro District says will go in:
- A tall main structure with slides, tunnels and climbing elements for ages 5 to 12
- Separate play and slide structures for kids ages 2 to 5, plus one for toddlers 6 to 23 months
- Four swings with a shade awning
- A spinning rope tower
- A merry-go-round with an at-grade entry, so it's accessible for inclusive play
- Inclusive panels, including tic-tac-toe, labyrinth and several Rope Rush panels
Two familiar features stay. The book sculptures by the playground will remain in place, and the fountains and wading stream aren't part of the renovation plans. The upper fountains and the section of stream nearest the playground closed for the season after Monday, Sept. 7, to make room for construction. When the fencing comes down, the water features will look the same as before, with new equipment beside them.
The Metro District's park map also shows an amphitheatre, an arboretum, shelters and a pavilion. The Metro District's 2026 event calendar for Civic Green lists park events only through Sept. 5. So the green's own programming had already ended for the year before construction began.
What's Still Open Around the Park
Town Center is a 289,472-square-foot retail center. Its owner describes it as close to Civic Green Park, the library and a transportation center. Those neighbors are what keep the block going this fall.
A new cookie shop on Dorchester. Joy Batch Cookies & Coffee opened on Friday, Oct. 9, at 9315 Dorchester St., Unit 109, near South Broadway. DougCo Social reported that it's the rebranded, relocated Quinnie's Cookies, which owner Sarah Carlson started as a home bakery in 2023. The Dorchester storefront is the business's first standalone shop. In her announcement, quoted by DougCo Social, Carlson thanked the community: "We truly couldn't have opened our doors without the overwhelming encouragement, excitement and support from all of you." The shop sells cookies, coffee and curated gifts. Launch hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so it's closed Mondays for now. The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is holding a ribbon cutting there on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 5 p.m.
The address stands out. Hometown Holiday is listed at 9315 Dorchester St. too, so the new shop sits at the same street address HRCA uses for the December tree lighting.
The library terrace. The Douglas County Libraries Highlands Ranch branch is at 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., and its terrace overlooks Civic Green Park. From there you can watch the construction progress without going near the fence. The branch is also hosting a Veterans Day Celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., according to the Metro District's calendar.
The last Sunday markets. The Highlands Ranch Farmers' Market at 9288 Dorchester St. runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and its 2026 season ends Nov. 1. As of today, Monday, Oct. 12, that leaves three market Sundays: Oct. 18, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.
The Calendar, in Order
Laid out by date, the block's season moves from one draw to the next.
- Sept. 8: The Civic Green playground, overlook shelter, upper fountains and wading stream close for construction.
- Oct. 9: Joy Batch Cookies & Coffee opens at 9315 Dorchester St., Unit 109.
- Oct. 20: Ribbon cutting at Joy Batch, 4 to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 1: Last Sunday of the farmers' market season.
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day Celebration at the library branch, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Late November: Expected end of playground construction.
- Dec. 12: Hometown Holiday at Town Center, noon to 5 p.m.
"Late November" is the Metro District's estimate, not a set reopening date. Whether the new playground is open by Dec. 12 depends on how the remaining work goes.
From mid-November, part of HRCA's holiday calendar also moves to other buildings. The Holiday Gift Fair is Saturday, Nov. 14, at Eastridge Recreation Center, 9568 University Blvd. International Youth Ballet's Nutcracker Highlights has four performances at Southridge Recreation Center from Nov. 20 to 22. For those weeks, Town Center's role in the holiday season waits for Dec. 12.
Hometown Holiday, the Practical Details
HRCA's Hometown Holiday listing describes a free afternoon that's open to the public. It includes Santa photos, a holiday gift market, live music, food trucks, holiday games and hot cocoa for kids. A cash bar checks IDs, and the day ends with a lighting ceremony. The event is entirely outdoors and will be canceled only in severe weather. HRCA is also looking for vendors, including handcrafters, food vendors and businesses selling gifts, holiday décor and seasonal treats.
There are two easy ways to get there without circling for a space. HRCA lists free parking nearby, and its farmers' market page points drivers to the free Town Center Parking Garage. You can also take Douglas County's Link On Demand, which offers free app-based rides in Highlands Ranch and other communities. Highlands Ranch has had the service since the county announced it in May 2025, and HRCA lists it as an option for this event.
The Next Few Weekends
For now, a Saturday at Town Center might mean a coffee at Joy Batch, a stop at the library with its view over the green, and a look at how far the new equipment has come. On Sunday mornings through Nov. 1, the farmers' market is still running. HRCA lists Carley Haupt as the contact for Hometown Holiday questions: [email protected] or 303-471-8809. The Metro District's project page is the place to check for any change to the late-November finish.
At Derek Thomas Real Estate, we follow the projects that shape everyday life in Highlands Ranch, from a 19-year-old playground getting replaced to a new shop on Dorchester Street. If you have questions about what's changing near your part of the Ranch, or how local amenities affect what your home is worth, let's connect.