Our Open Space Isn’t a Perk. It’s Who We Are.

There’s a photo on my phone that stops me every time I scroll past it. My daughter Darby, perched on a sandstone boulder out on the East-West Trail — pink cap, huge smile, the golden bluffs stretching out behind her under a Colorado sky so blue it almost looks fake. She looks completely at home. Because she is.

Darby on a trail leading up to the top of the bluffs.

One of the reasons my family chose Lone Tree was simple - it feels different. You can see it the moment you step outside anywhere in our city.

There’s a sense of space here that you don’t find in most places along the Front Range.

And it’s not an accident.

This Was Planned — Not Left Over

Open space in Lone Tree isn’t what was left behind after development. It was planned.

From the beginning, this city was designed with intention — to preserve the natural landscape, to create access to trails, and to make sure growth didn’t come at the expense of what makes this place special.

The East-West Trail at sunrise.

That’s why open space here feels integrated, not separate. These spaces are where neighbors become neighbors. Where kids get their first taste of real outdoor space. Where deer materialize at dusk and red-tailed hawks circle overhead and you suddenly remember that Lone Tree is part of something much bigger than its city limits.

Why It Matters More Than People Think

Open space isn’t just about scenery — it shapes how a city functions and how it feels to live here every day.

It influences how neighborhoods connect, how people move through the city, and gives residents a place to go without getting in a car. And yes — it plays a direct role in property values.

This isn’t about one neighborhood benefiting. When a city prioritizes open space, the entire community is lifted.

It strengthens home values across the board. It attracts people who want to invest in where they live. And it creates the kind of environment people choose to stay in long-term.

Open space isn’t just an amenity — it’s part of the economic foundation of a healthy city.

What’s Changing

As Lone Tree continues to grow, the pressure on that balance is real.

We’re looking at new development across the city — and with that comes decisions about how land is used, how density is handled, and how much of that original vision we carry forward.

Open space doesn’t disappear all at once. It gets chipped away — one decision at a time.

And if we’re not paying attention, the character of the city can shift before we even realize it.

Getting the Balance Right

Growth isn’t the problem, but how we grow matters.

Lone Tree has never been a city that just accepts whatever is proposed. From the beginning, there has been a clear expectation that development meets a higher standard — one that reflects the character of this community.

That means development needs to fit our infrastructure, respect the natural landscape, and add real value to the city — not take away from what people already love about living here.

This isn’t about whether we “like” or “don’t like” a project.

It’s about whether it meets the standard. And if it doesn’t, it should be reworked until it does.

Why It’s Worth Protecting

The people who shaped Lone Tree understood this.

They made decisions that created a city with breathing room — a place where

development and nature coexist in a way that still feels balanced.

That’s not something every community has.

And it’s not something we should take for granted.

The Bottom Line

Open space isn’t separate from Lone Tree — it’s part of what defines it.

As our city continues to grow, we have to be thoughtful about how we protect that balance.

Because the decisions we make now will determine whether Lone Tree continues to feel the way it does today — or becomes something entirely different.

Lone Tree’s natural beauty doesn’t protect itself. It requires people at the table who understand what’s at stake — and are willing to act on it.

If this matters to you too, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at taraforlonetree@gmail.com or connect with me on Instagram @taraforlonetree.

Keep Lone Tree Special.

About Tara

Tara Meekma is a Lone Tree resident, real estate professional, wife and mom. She lives here with her husband Michael and their children Ben and Darby. She is running for Lone Tree City Council, District 2 in the May 5, 2026 election. Learn more at TaraforLoneTree.com.