Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District was formed in 1955 and has the honor of being the first park and recreation district in the state of Colorado. 

At that time, both Adams County School District 50 and Adams County provided some recreation programs to the area, but actual recreational facilities were lacking. 

Community leaders Iver Ranum, A.V. Wilson and Bill Pehr were instrumental in drafting legislation authorizing special districts and creating the Hyland Hills District.  Because the District lacked funds, Adams County School District 50 provided office space in the old administration building at 72nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard.
 
In 1956, District voters approved a $150,000 general obligation bond issue. In cooperation with Adams County School District 50, the proceeds were used to construct four tennis courts, Splashland Pool, and a baseball field at England Park. 

In 1962, voters passed a $300,000 bond issue that was used in conjunction with the first Federal Open Space Grant to purchase land and develop the Golf Courses at Hyland Hills. 

Today the courses, offering 27 holes of regulation golf, two par-3 courses and a lighted, multi-tiered practice facility, are nationally recognized for their quality and affordability. 

In 1971, the District opened the Hyland Hills Ice Arena, which, for many years, was home to thousands of competitive figure skaters, hockey players, and recreational skaters. 

In 1979, Water World, which was originally funded by a voter-approved bond issue, opened to rave reviews, and today is recognized as America’s largest family waterpark.  In 1989, the District premiered Adventure Golf, providing the entire family with the ultimate miniature golf experience. 

The exciting new Adventure Golf Raceway added family go-kart racing fun in 2005.  In 1993, the Community Senior Center debuted, and in 1997, the Hyland Hills Gymnastics Center opened in the same building.
 
In 1993, the District and the City of Westminster formed a partnership and opened the Community Senior Center.  In 1998, the District and the City of Westminster entered into an intergovernmental agreement for the construction of a state-of-the-art, three-surface ice arena at the Westminster Promenade complex.  The resulting Ice Centre at The Promenade opened in September 1999 and is operated by Hyland Hills. 

Additionally, the District and School District 50 continue their cooperative relationship, such as the use of District No.50 schools for Hyland Hills’ before and after school and recreation programs.
 
Hyland Hills also maintains 28 parks with over 400 acres of open space (of which several are joint projects with School District 50 and the City of Westminster), and 24 ball fields. 

Our Recreation Department offers a host of activities for pre-schoolers, young people, adults and seniors.  Children and adults participate in sports programs such as gymnastics, soccer, football and tennis, and Little League baseball players utilize our sports fields. Very young children are enrolled in our pre-school program, our innovative before and after school programs provide a safe haven for young students, and older adults enjoy our senior programs and activities.  We offer classes of all types, and for all ages, including ceramics, silver-smithing, cooking, dog obedience, dance, and others too numerous to mention.
 
Today, serving more than 100,000 residents in southwest Adams County, the District continues the same spirit of cooperation with other entities that began in the 1950’s.