Executive Summary · Highlands Ranch Fishing Pond & Historic Park Guide

Fly’n B Park & Johnny’s Pond: Fishing, Trails & Homes

Spanning 10.3 acres at 2910 Plaza Dr. in northwestern Highlands Ranch (ZIP code 80129), Fly’n B Park combines a seasonally stocked fishing pond and accessible pier, the historic 1906 Mathew Plews homestead farmhouse, a 75-person covered picnic pavilion with electrical outlets, and direct connections to the High Line Canal Trail. A quarter-mile walk west along the trail leads anglers and nature walkers to neighboring Johnny’s Pond at 3187 Plaza Dr.

Location & Footprint: Encompasses 10.3 acres at 2910 Plaza Dr., Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (one mile west of Lucent Blvd.), with trail access to Johnny’s Pond at 3187 Plaza Dr. Hours & Stewardship: Owned and maintained by the Highlands Ranch Metro District and open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with free public admission. Signature Amenities: Features two stocked fishing ponds with piers, the 1906 Plews homestead house, a 75-person shelter with electrical outlets, grills, restrooms, and High Line Canal Trail access. Nearby Housing Eras: Anchored by 2000s and 2010s homes in Verona and Town Center, established 1980s and 1990s Westridge and Northridge residences, and newer luxury construction.
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01 / Signature Amenities, Fishing Ponds & Historic Grounds

Fly’n B Park & Johnny’s Pond: Fishing Piers, 1906 Plews Homestead & High Line Canal Trail

Located at 2910 Plaza Dr. in northwestern Highlands Ranch (ZIP code 80129, one mile west of Lucent Boulevard beside Wind Crest), the 10.3-acre Fly’n B Park is one of the community’s premier public fishing and trail destinations. Opened by the Highlands Ranch Metro District in 2010, the park preserves the historic white farmhouse built around 1906 by English homesteader and master horticulturist Mathew Plews—a property later owned by mechanical engineer Fred Eberhardt and aviation enthusiast Johnny Bowen, who named the grounds the Fly’n B Ranch. Visitors can launch turn-by-turn Google Maps directions to 2910 Plaza Dr. to access the main parking lot, fishing pier, and High Line Canal Trailhead.

What makes this corridor especially popular with Douglas County anglers is that a single trailhead provides access to two distinct, seasonally stocked fishing waters: the main Fly’n B Park Pond at 2910 Plaza Dr. and neighboring Johnny’s Pond just one-quarter mile west along the walking path at 3187 Plaza Dr.

Fly’n B Park (2910 Plaza Dr.) & Johnny’s Pond (3187 Plaza Dr.) — Facility & Fishing Breakdown
Park Amenity / Location On-Site Specification Visitor Access & Real Estate Context
Fly’n B Park Pond (2910 Plaza Dr.) Seasonally stocked fishing pond featuring an accessible fishing pier, dock, shoreline trails, and views of the 1906 Plews farmhouse. Stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill, with dedicated off-street parking right beside the trailhead.
Johnny’s Pond (3187 Plaza Dr.) Companion fishing pond stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill, equipped with a fishing dock and small picnic shelter. No street parking is permitted at 3187 Plaza Dr.; visitors must park at Fly’n B Park and walk one-quarter mile west along the trail.
75-Person Picnic Pavilion Large covered shelter accommodating up to 75 guests, equipped with electrical outlets, barbecue grills, and picnic tables. Offers nearly double the capacity of standard 40-person neighborhood shelters for larger family reunions and community events.
High Line Canal & Park Trails Provides level walking loops around the pond and direct trail connections onto the regional High Line Canal Trail corridor. Connects northwestern Highlands Ranch neighborhoods to miles of shaded cycling, running, and dog-walking paths.
Hours, Restrooms & Admission Open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with free admission and permanent on-site public restroom facilities. Maintained year-round by the Highlands Ranch Metro District, with a Colorado fishing license required for anglers ages 16 and older.
Comparing specific homes, lots, or floor plans? Get a builder and engineer’s perspective before you write an offer.
02 / Fishing Rules, Permits & Regulations

Fishing Regulations, 75-Person Shelter Permits & Metro District Rules

Because Fly’n B Park and Johnny’s Pond combine active wildlife habitat, stocked urban fisheries, and historic structures, the Highlands Ranch Metro District enforces specific angling and park-use rules:

  • Colorado Fishing Licenses & Catch-and-Release Etiquette: Anglers aged 16 and older must hold a valid Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing license. Catch-and-release fishing is strongly encouraged at both Fly’n B Park Pond and Johnny’s Pond to sustain healthy populations of Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill.
  • Strict Prohibition on Ice Fishing & Water Entry: Ice fishing is strictly prohibited on all Highlands Ranch Metro District ponds at all times for public safety. Boating, wading, swimming, and disturbing waterfowl or shoreline wildlife are also prohibited.
  • 75-Person Pavilion Permits & Staking Limits: The main pavilion accommodates up to 75 people and includes electrical outlets. Any organized gathering or group activity of five or more people requires a permit issued by the Highlands Ranch Metro District. Temporary stakes up to 10 inches in length are allowed in turf areas; longer stakes require a formal Metro District permit.
  • Johnny’s Pond Parking & General Park Rules: Street parking along Plaza Drive near Johnny’s Pond is prohibited—always park in the Fly’n B Park lot at 2910 Plaza Dr. and walk the quarter-mile trail west. Dogs must remain on a leash, Class I and Class II e-bikes are permitted on paved paths, and glass containers, fires outside park grills, fireworks, golf, drones, and unpermitted camping are prohibited.
Highlands Ranch Metro District Park Permits & Shelter Reservations Highlands Ranch Park Offices: Hendrick Office Building, 62 Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (located on the same Plaza Drive corridor just east of the park).
Metro District Service Center: 3280 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 · Phone: 303-791-2710.
03 / Surrounding Real Estate & Build Eras

Homes Near Fly’n B Park: Westridge, Verona & 80129 Living

Positioned near the northwestern gateway of Highlands Ranch along Plaza Drive and the C-470 / Lucent Boulevard corridor, Fly’n B Park sits within minutes of all three major Highlands Ranch construction eras, plus active-adult living:

  • 2000s & 2010s Patio Homes, Townhomes & Luxury Builds: Just east along the Lucent Boulevard and Plaza Drive corridor, Verona and Town Center offer low-maintenance paired homes and townhomes near shopping and dining, while 2000s and 2010s luxury builds in Highwoods, Backcountry, and Tresana provide custom and semi-custom architectural finishes. Active adults comparing the adjacent Wind Crest campus can also explore 55+ senior community homes in Highlands Ranch.
  • Established 1980s & 1990s Neighborhoods: Directly south of Plaza Drive, Westridge (alongside Westridge Knolls, Westridge Village, and neighboring Northridge and Eastridge) features late-1980s and 1990s single-family homes near the Highlands Ranch Golf Club, mature tree-lined streets, and strong remodeling potential.
  • Brand-New Construction & Newer Luxury Residences: Buyers seeking modern energy codes, contemporary open-concept great rooms, and main-level primary suites can also compare brand-new construction and newer luxury homes across Highlands Ranch and the surrounding Douglas County market.

Homeowners in northwestern Highlands Ranch (ZIP code 80129) enjoy full membership access to all four HRCA recreation centers—including the Westridge Recreation Center at 9650 Foothills Canyon Boulevard—along with the High Line Canal Trail network and Douglas County School District feeders such as Trailblazer Elementary School, Ranch View Middle School, and ThunderRidge High School. When evaluating any specific property, buyers should review the property-specific HOA and Metro District disclosures during their contract due diligence period.

04 / Builder, Rehab & Engineer Perspective

A Builder & Engineer’s Perspective on Trail-Side Homes & Remodeling

Whether you are comparing homes backing to greenbelts in Highlands Ranch near the High Line Canal Trail or evaluating a 1990s residence in Westridge within walking distance of Fly’n B Park, looking at the property through the perspective of a residential builder, home rehab expert, and engineer helps you plan smart improvements and thorough due diligence:

  • Reconfiguring 1990s Kitchens & Walkout Basements for Open-Space Views: Homes near permanent trail corridors, golf course fairways, and stocked fishing ponds hold long-term location appeal. In 1990s Westridge floor plans, redesigning a compartmentalized kitchen to orient a wide island toward the rear windows—and finishing a walkout or garden-level basement with a guest suite, wet bar, and gear storage room for bikes and fishing tackle—delivers lasting lifestyle and resale value.
  • Composite Decks, Wind Exposure & Outdoor Living Design: Lots backing to open trail corridors in northwestern Highlands Ranch experience expansive Front Range sun and occasional afternoon breezes off the foothills. Replacing an older wood deck with a low-maintenance composite deck, powder-coated metal railings that preserve pond or trail sightlines, and a structurally anchored shade pergola transforms the backyard into a three-season outdoor living room.
  • Grading, Expansive Clay Soils & Questions for Licensed Inspectors: Like much of Douglas County, the 80129 corridor sits over moisture-sensitive bentonite clay soils. When touring a property near greenbelt drainage swales or sloping trail lots, it is helpful to explore landscaping and grading ideas that direct roof downspouts and irrigation runoff away from the foundation perimeter, while knowing what specific questions to ask independent, licensed third-party home and structural inspectors regarding basement slabs, retaining walls, electrical panels, and plumbing systems.

Northwestern 80129 enclaves near Fly’n B Park and the High Line Canal also include Turnbury, Hunting Hill, and low-maintenance townhomes and patio homes from $500k to $600k.

05 / Common Homeowner Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Fly’n B Park or Johnny’s Pond?+
Yes. Anglers at both Fly’n B Park Pond and Johnny’s Pond must follow Colorado Parks and Wildlife state fishing regulations, which require anyone 16 years of age and older to carry a valid Colorado fishing license. Catch-and-release fishing is strongly encouraged.
What fish species are stocked in Fly’n B Park Pond and Johnny’s Pond?+
Both Fly’n B Park Pond and Johnny’s Pond are stocked seasonally and feature Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill, with accessible fishing piers and docks at both locations.
Where do I park to access Johnny’s Pond at 3187 Plaza Drive?+
Street parking is strictly prohibited at Johnny’s Pond. All visitors must park in the designated lot at Fly’n B Park (2910 Plaza Dr., Highlands Ranch, CO 80129) and walk approximately one-quarter mile west along the connecting trail to reach Johnny’s Pond at 3187 Plaza Dr.
Is ice fishing or boating allowed on the ponds in the winter or summer?+
No. Ice fishing, wading, swimming, and boating are strictly prohibited on Fly’n B Park Pond, Johnny’s Pond, and all other Highlands Ranch Metro District ponds for safety and wildlife protection.
How many people does the Fly’n B Park pavilion hold, and how do I reserve it?+
The covered picnic pavilion at Fly’n B Park accommodates up to 75 people and includes electrical outlets, picnic tables, and adjacent barbecue grills. Any organized activity or group gathering of five or more people requires a park permit from the Highlands Ranch Metro District (62 Plaza Drive, 303-791-2710).
What is the history of the white farmhouse at Fly’n B Park?+
The historic white farmhouse at Fly’n B Park is the Plews House, built around 1906 by English homesteader and master horticulturist Mathew Plews. Later owned by mechanical engineer Fred Eberhardt and aviation enthusiast Johnny Bowen—who named the property the Fly’n B Ranch—the 10.3-acre site opened as a public Highlands Ranch Metro District park in 2010.
Saber Amine - Highlands Ranch Realtor, Residential Builder, Home Rehab Expert, and Engineer
Written By
Saber Amine Owner & Designated Broker · Homes and People (Est. 2003) · Colorado Real Estate License #ER40029599 · Proud HRCA Community Partner

Highlands Ranch Realtor, residential builder, home rehab expert, and engineer who shares general construction knowledge, layout and remodeling ideas for basements, decks, landscaping, and kitchens, and helps clients know what questions to ask independent licensed inspectors.

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