Deputy Zack S. Parrish III Memorial Park

Dedicated to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was killed in the line of duty, Deputy Zack S. Parrish III Memorial Park is a built symbol of sacrifice and community support. In a community with close ties to law enforcement and public safety, the park provides Castle Rock residents a place for both recreation and reflection. Visitors gather at picnic pavilions and plazas and also enjoy play areas, multi-use fields and connections to community trails. A memorial sculpture garden honors all public safety officials who are currently serving, have served or have given their lives in the line of duty.

AWARDS

  • 2019 ASLA Colorado Merit Award: Design

Client

Town of Castle Rock

Location

Castle Rock, Colorado

Services

Landscape Architecture Conceptual Design Construction Documents Construction Services Cost Estimating Graphic Design Irrigation 3D Visualizations

Creating a park with unique amenities and a memorial which integrates seamlessly into the surrounding community it serves, while also addressing site challenges and accessibility.

As part of public facilitation, we gathered programming input and naming suggestions for the park. Overwhelmingly, the community supported a name honoring fallen officer Zack S. Parrish III and specific programming referencing his interests.

Castle Rock’s community values, Douglas County Sheriff’s values, and other select symbols inspire and unite the design of the memorial with the surrounding park.

Unique programming and a wide range of active- and passive-use areas create opportunities for park users of all ages and abilities.

Situated on the far edge of the park, the memorial is meant to be a quiet and reflective space. Subtle, blue lighting allows for unobstructed views of the night sky, the Town of Castle Rock and the Front Range.

Three words at the core of Castle Rock’s community vision appear on each of the memorial’s steel bands: Excellence, Dedication and Service.

After dusk, a thin blue line glows along the memorial’s edge as a symbol for fallen police officers. The thin blue line was also integrated into the park’s signage and play structures.