Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park & Recreation District
The Parachute/Battlement Mesa Park & Recreation District was formed in 1984 and serves a 318 sq. mile area which includes Battlement Mesa, Parachute and the surrounding area. The Park & Rec office is located in the Wasson - McKay Park, 259 Cardinal Way, Parachute, Colorado in the historic Wasson - McKay house.
The District provides a variety of, primarily outdoor, recreational services to the public. These services include activities for all ages ranging from dog and skate parks to organized volleyball, soccer and wrestling leagues.
Mary Anderson is the District's Director. 
The District's board of directors are elected biannually by the community. The current board of directors are: Jason Fletcher, (President), Denise Gallegos, Michael Richards, Ronald Palmer and Marilyn Bulger.
- The board of directors meet on either the second Tuesday or Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the District's office at 259 Cardinal Way, Parachute, Colorado. The meetings are open to the public. Click here for a map.
To contact the Park and Recreation office call 970.285.0388.
Park and Rec District Facilities
Callahan Ball Fields
This complex, next to Cottonwood Park in Parachute, consists of two ball fields and a soccer field. The fields are lighted and completely fenced.
To drive to Callahan Ball Field, go west on Cardinal Way past Southgate Center to Rio Grande Avenue. Turn left on Rio Grande and follow it (past the 90 degree left turn) to Yampa Avenue. Turn right on Yampa and continue to La Plata Circle. The field is on the right at the entrance to Cottonwood Park. Click here for a map.
Skate Park
The District's Skate Park in located in Battlement Mesa due north of the Bea Underwood Elementary School and offers an wonderful view of Mt. Callahan. The park is not lighted.
To drive to the Skate Park, from the Battlement Parkway, turn south on Stone Quarry Road. Follow Stone Quarry Road to Tamarisk Trail. Turn right and follow Tamarisk Trail as it makes several gentle curves until you get to the second Silverton Circle. The Skate Park, which is part of the Saddleback Recreational area, will be on your left and is very visible from the street.
Battlement Mesa Company, Battlement Mesa, Colorado's developer, gave the District 27 acres where the skate park is located. In addition to the skate park, there are two dog parks. One park is designated as a small dog park and the other is for large dogs. Both parks are located in the old ball field area. In total, the District owns 46 acres of land. (See below). Click here for a map.
- Dog Park
The dog park is located west of the skate park on Battlement Mesa. Rules are posted. There is not a water source so please provide your own water. Dogs are not to be left alone and unattended. Please be a responsible dog owner and pick up your dog’s waste and put in the garbage can provided.
- Rodeo Arena (leased)
The Park District can host various horse related and rodeo events at a leased Rodeo Arena located along the Colorado River the the south edge of Parachute.
To drive to the Rodeo Arena, go west on Cardinal Way past Southgate Center to Rio Grande Avenue. Turn left on Rio Grande and follow it (past the 90 degree left turn) to Yampa Avenue. Turn right on Yampa and continue to La Plata Circle. The arena in on the right at the end of Yampa (at La Plata Circle). Click here for a map.
- The Morrisania Community House (leased)
The Morrisania Community House in the nearby community of Morrisania Mesa is under lease to the District and can be used for a variety of events. The picturesque setting and historic atmosphere offer just the right charm for many events.
Parks and Recreation Current Activities
Adult Coed Volleyball:
7 teams will be playing against each other each Tuesday night at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center Gym! Games are held at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. respectively! Fun for everyone! There is a babysitting service available during the games for adult volleyball participants’ children! This began on Tuesday, January 20th and will continue for approximately 8 weeks!
Youth Girls Volleyball:
3rd through 8th graders are welcome. Practices are being held on Mondays and Tuesdays at St. Johns Elementary Gymnasium and began on January 9, 2012! The games will be held on Saturdays in February. Marilyn Bulger will be the head coach.
Youth Basketball for Boys:
Youth basketball for boys began on Monday, January 9 and will run through the first week end in March. This is for 3rd through 6th grade boys. Fee to play is $55 plus a $35 refundable. This is a league with the other area towns. Practices are held 2 times a week with the games to be held on Saturdays!
Teams are full, with one, 3rd and 4th grade team who is being coached by Juliene Metcalf and two, 5th and 6th grade teams, one coached by Doug Pfau who is being assisted by Buffington and the other coached by Mike.
Youth Wrestling: Pre-registration is encouraged and is open now!
K through 6 grades is held March through May annually. Open to both boys and girls. Tony Serna will be the head coach! Fee to participate is $100 which includes fees into 6 league tournaments!
Youth Spring Soccer:
Registration for spring soccer is due by January 19, 2012. Fees are $65 per participant. This is a competitive league. This program begins with practices in March. Early registration is required due to the large number of teams to be scheduled throughout the league. There are two divisions: a boys’ division and a girls’ division. These are for ages 8 to 13 years old and are classified as U10, U12 and U14 divisions. There will be NO COED TEAMS.
Policy Statement
Sportsmanship is the number one priority for the Park and Recreation District. The ideals of good sportsmanship, ethical behavior and integrity permeate our culture. The values of good citizenship and high behavioral standards apply equally to all activity disciplines. In perception and practice, good sportsmanship shall be defined as those qualities of behavior which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others. Further, an awareness is expected of the impact of an individual's influence on the behavior of others. Good sportsmanship is viewed as a concrete measure of the understanding and commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. It takes hard work and discipline, but sportsmanship is the most important value gained from recreational sports programs.