Digger's Dog Park in Highlands Ranch: Off-Leash Map & Homes

Tucked along 3385 Astorbrook Circle in east-central Highlands Ranch (ZIP code 80126), Digger’s is one of four dedicated off-leash dog parks operated by the Highlands Ranch Metro District. Situated on the northeast edge of Dad Clark Park, the fenced enclosure provides a secure, double-gated environment where dogs can exercise off-leash and socialize from 7:00 a.m. until sunset daily. Dog owners can open turn-by-turn Google Maps directions to 3385 Astorbrook Circle or walk directly to the enclosure via the Dad Clark Gulch greenbelt trail system.

Because Digger’s is integrated into the broader 13.7-acre Dad Clark Park footprint, households visiting the dog park also have adjacent access to paved walking trails, a children’s playground, a picnic shelter, multi-use sports fields, a basketball court, and park restrooms (note that dogs must remain on a physical leash whenever outside the fenced Digger’s perimeter).

With more than 300 days of annual sunshine in Highlands Ranch, Digger’s at Dad Clark Park sees steady year-round activity. Visitors should be mindful of warm summer surfaces during midday hours and follow all Highlands Ranch Metro District off-leash regulations:

• Hours of Operation (7:00 a.m. to Sunset): Digger’s Dog Park opens at 7:00 a.m. daily and closes at sunset so surrounding Astorbrook Circle residents enjoy quiet evenings.
• Gate Leash Protocol & Voice Control: Dogs must be on a physical leash when entering and exiting the gate enclosure and anywhere inside the broader Dad Clark Park grounds. While off-leash inside the fenced boundary, dogs must remain under strict voice control at all times.
• Owner Presence & Pet Waste Cleanup: Owners must remain inside the fenced dog park with their dogs, carry a physical leash in hand at all times, and immediately pick up and dispose of pet waste.
• Vaccinations, Prohibited Dogs & Child Supervision: All dogs must be currently vaccinated per Douglas County regulations. Aggressive dogs and dogs in season (in heat) are strictly prohibited. Children entering the off-leash area must be closely supervised by an adult at all times.

Positioned along Astorbrook Circle just south of Dad Clark Drive and west of South University Boulevard in the 80126 ZIP code, Digger’s at Dad Clark Park sits at a convenient crossroads connecting all three build eras of Highlands Ranch:

• Established 1980s & 1990s Neighborhoods: The streets immediately bordering Astorbrook Circle and Dad Clark Gulch belong to the established Eastridge, Falcon Creek, and Northridge corridors, valued for mature trees, fenced backyards, and strong equity upside when modernizing kitchens, decks, and basements.
• 2000s & 2010s Luxury & Family Enclaves: Just south across McArthur Ranch Road and Wildcat Reserve Parkway lie 2000s and 2010s neighborhoods including The Hearth, Firelight, Southridge, Backcountry, and Tresana, featuring open great-room layouts, nine-foot basement foundations, and three-car garages.
• Brand-New Construction & Newer Luxury Builds: Buyers comparing brand-new construction and newer contemporary luxury homes across Highlands Ranch and northern Douglas County enjoy turn-key energy efficiency, expansive indoor-outdoor sliders, and seamless trail access.

Homeowners near Digger’s at Dad Clark Park enjoy fast C-470 commuter access via South University Boulevard, proximity to Copper Mesa, Arrowwood, and Fox Creek Elementary Schools, Mountain Ridge and Cresthill Middle Schools, and Mountain Vista and Highlands Ranch High Schools, plus full access to all four HRCA recreation centers—anchored minutes away by the Eastridge and Southridge Recreation Centers. During due diligence on any specific property, buyers should review the property-specific HOA and Metro District disclosures provided in their transaction documents.

For dog owners evaluating homes backing to greenbelts in Highlands Ranch or single-family residences within walking distance of Digger’s at Dad Clark Park, viewing a property through the lens of a residential builder, home rehab expert, and engineer reveals several high-value remodeling and due-diligence ideas:

• Custom Mudrooms, Tiled Dog-Wash Stations & Durable Flooring: Returning from a muddy spring run at Digger’s or along Dad Clark Gulch is effortless when your garage entry or main-level laundry room includes a tiled walk-in dog-wash shower with a handheld sprayer, built-in leash storage, and waterproof luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or porcelain tile flowing into an open-concept kitchen.
• Paw-Friendly Composite Decks & Pet-Safe Landscaping: Many 1980s and 1990s homes near Astorbrook Circle still have aging pressure-treated wood decks that splinter under afternoon sun. Upgrading to a covered, heat-reflective composite deck with hidden fasteners, gated stairways, and a dedicated pea-gravel or pet-safe turf side-yard run protects both your pets and your natural lawn.
• Backyard Grading, Fence Footings & Questions for Licensed Inspectors: Heavy backyard pet traffic and modified irrigation zones can alter surface drainage over Douglas County’s expansive clay soils. When touring a property, it is helpful to share general construction knowledge on positive perimeter grading and downspout extensions, and to know what questions to ask independent, licensed third-party home and structural inspectors regarding fence post stability, deck ledger boards, window wells, and basement slabs.