Good morning, Highlands Ranch.
Has anyone ever noticed the name of the community garden at Dad Clark Park?
It’s called The Potato Patch. That name has some history behind it. Rufus “Dad” Clark, an early settler whose story is tied to the land that became Highlands Ranch, was once known as the “Potato King of Colorado.”
So yes, apparently we have a little potato royalty rooted in the Ranch.
In this week’s scoop:
Dogs to adopt in the Ranch
A bit more on Dad Clark Park
New date night guide
Let’s get into it.
—Grace Hody
Dad Clark Park—Highlands Ranch, CO
Weekend Outing Ideas
Music Bingo! — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Thursday, August 13 (6:30–8:30 p.m.)
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A musical twist on traditional bingo with a different theme each week, multiple chances to win prizes, and free play. Grab some friends and test your music knowledge.
Perseid Meteor Shower — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Thursday, August 13
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Up to 100 meteors per hour, a new moon, and one of the year's best nights for stargazing. Bring a blanket or camp chair and enjoy the show.
Littleton Symphony (Summer Concert Series) — Littleton
🗓️ Friday, August 14 & Sunday, August 16 (6 p.m.)
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The Littleton Symphony Orchestra brings its free summer concert outdoors with American favorites, plus opening performances from the Littleton Youth Ballet and Castlewood Lion Pipe Band. Pack a picnic, lawn chairs, and blankets.
Dog Adoption Event — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, August 15 (12–3 p.m.)
➜ Davidson’s Beer Wine & Spirits (5555 Boatworks Dr, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126)
Meet adoptable pups from Mile High Canine Rescue and maybe find a new best friend. The afternoon also includes free Tito’s dog tags, a dog caricature artist, and cocktail samples.
Parker Car Fest — Parker
🗓️ Saturday, August 15 (9 a.m.–2 p.m.)
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Around 200 cars take over Downtown Parker for this free-to-attend car show featuring food, music and awards. Even better: 100% of proceeds benefit the Parker Task Force Food Bank.
Western Welcome Week — Littleton
🗓️ August 7–16
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Littleton's beloved 10-day celebration returns with live music, art shows, a drone show, car shows, family activities, and more. This year's festival celebrates Colorado's 150th birthday.
Recurring in the Ranch
Free Yoga in the Park — Saturday, August 15
Highlands Ranch Farmers Market — Sunday, August 16
Live Music Lowdown (August 13 - 19)
Thursday, August 13
Littleton | Concert Series | Dr. Lunch (funk jazz)
Friday, August 14
Highlands Ranch | Lansdowne Arms | Branden Sipes
Highlands Ranch | Prost | Guerilla Fanfare
Lone Tree | Music on the Patio | Nikki Z
Littleton | Music in the Burbs | Hazel Miller & The Collective
Saturday, Aug 15
Highlands Ranch | Prost | Kerosene Drifters
Sunday, Aug 16
Castle Pines | Concert Series | The Long Run
Wednesday, Aug 19
Castle Rock | Jazz in the Park
SCOOP Hub
Park of the Week
The 26 Park Challenge Giveaway is presented by Abby Sells Denver with the Ranch Scoop.
🌳 Dad Clark Park (22/26)
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Tucked into a Highlands Ranch neighborhood, Dad Clark is one of those parks that packs a lot into one spot. There’s a playground, basketball court, sports fields, sand play area, community garden, and a water play table for warmer days.
The Community Garden Sign at Dad Clark Park
💚A Little Scoop
Long before there was a Dad Clark Park, there was Rufus H. “Potato” Clark.
Clark came to Colorado during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in 1859, but it wasn't gold that would make his fortune: It was potatoes.
Clark began farming, and his potato crops became so successful that he earned himself quite the title: The Potato King of Colorado.
At the height of his success, Clark reportedly made $30,000 in a single year selling potatoes — more than $1 million in today's money.
And he wasn't farming somewhere far away from here. Clark's 1859 farm sat on land that is now home to the Highlands Ranch Golf Club.
Which brings us back to Dad Clark Park. More than 150 years later, it's a pretty great little nod to the Potato King whose story is still tucked into the Ranch today.
On Our Radar Next Week
Historic Park Community Meeting — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Monday, August 17 (5:30–7 p.m.)
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Have a say in what happens to nearly 250 acres surrounding the Highlands Ranch Mansion. The Metro District is gathering community input on plans for the future Historic Park, envisioned as a natural, heritage-focused space preserving the property’s historic character.
Mountain Bike Series: Wildcat Circuit — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Wednesday, August 19 (5–8 p.m.)
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Hit the trails for the final race of the Highlands Ranch Mountain Bike Series. Riders of all abilities can take on an 11-mile course through the Wildcat Mountain Trail System and connect with the local biking community.
Summer Sunset Concert + Drone Show — Highlands Ranch
🗓️ Saturday, August 22 (7–8:30 p.m.)
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The Ranch is getting another night under the lights. Denver cover band Ninety2K is bringing the ’90s and early 2000s to Civic Green Park for a free summer concert, followed by a Stories in the Sky drone show celebrating Colorado’s 150th birthday.
Meet Our Founding Community Partners
A little milestone for The Ranch Scoop: we’re excited to officially introduce the local businesses and organizations coming alongside us as our first Founding Community Partners.
🏡 Abby Sells Denver
Abby has been an incredible friend to The Scoop and is the presenting sponsor of our 26 Park Challenge + $1,000 Broadmoor Getaway Giveaway. A Highlands Ranch realtor and mom, she has spent time in these same parks with her own littles and was excited to help us celebrate the places that make the Ranch feel like home.
→ Abby Sells Denver
💧 Highlands Ranch Water
It takes a lot to keep the Ranch growing and hydrated— including quite a bit of water. Highlands Ranch Water is the local organization behind the water flowing through our homes, parks, and community. As a Founding Community Partner, they’ll be helping The Scoop share a little more about what it takes to keep things flowing here in the Ranch.
→ Highlands Ranch Water
⚡ONUS IV Therapy + Longevity
Colorado-owned and operated, ONUS IV Therapy + Longevity has quickly become an close friend to The Scoop. With a location right here in Highlands Ranch, their team is all about helping people feel their best, and they’ve already shown up in a big way for our community, including treating one lucky Scoop follower to a $500 giveaway earlier this year.
→ ONUS IV Therapy + Longevity
📬 Before You Go
Twenty-two parks down, and somehow they keep giving us stories!
I love finding these little pieces of Highlands Ranch history hiding in plain sight, especially when it turns out to be a potato patch.
Thanks for exploring the Ranch with the scoop each week.
See you next Thursday.
—Grace
Scoop Referrals — Birthday Shoutouts
Help us grow and get a birthday shoutout!
Refer 3 nearby friends or family using your personal referral link (found below), and we’ll celebrate your birthday in that week’s Scoop newsletter.
Once you hit 3 referrals, we’ll send over a quick form to collect your birthday. (Don’t worry — no birth year required.)
Ranch Resources
🔥 Restrictions
💧 Restrictions
🌳🏛️ Highlands Ranch Metro District
🚗 Douglas County: Link On Demand