Castle Rock Climb4Change returns Saturday to fund disability recreation program

A Saturday climb at Philip S. Miller Park could decide whether some Douglas County families can afford recreation at all. Castle Rock’s Climb4Change is set to raise money for the town’s Therapeutic Recreation program, which can cover 25%, 50%, 75% or even 100% of eligible program fees for residents who qualify on a need basis.

That matters because the program is built around access, not spectacle. Castle Rock says its Therapeutic Recreation offerings are designed to improve quality of life for people with disabilities through athletics and movement, aquatics, camps, community outings, cultural arts, outdoor recreation and social activities. The money from Climb4Change goes toward scholarships, adaptive equipment and inclusive recreation opportunities for children and adults who might otherwise be left out.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at Challenge Hill, the 200-step climb at Philip S. Miller Park that rises 178 feet in elevation. Participants can choose from five formats, including Power Hour, ClimbNRun 5K/10K, Trail Reps, Race to the Top and Run4Fun. The town has spread the schedule from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. so competitive runners, families and casual participants can all take part without being locked into one pace or distance.

Registration ranges from $25 to $45 depending on the course, and children under 5 can participate for free if they are registered. Early packet pickup is set for Friday, June 12, at RNK Running & Walking on Fourth Street, while on-site pickup and day-of registration begin at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Registration closes Tuesday, June 9, at 11:59 p.m., though people can still sign up on race day for a higher fee.

The town says every climbing participant receives a medal and event T-shirt, with additional shirts available for $16. Course records underline how serious some of the competition can get: 19 laps for Power Hour, 6 laps for Trail Reps and 45 seconds for Race to the Top. No Limits Physical Therapy is sponsoring the event.

Philip S. Miller Park gives the fundraiser a distinctly local setting. The 300-acre site includes trails, an accessible 1-mile paved loop and the 2.5-acre Adventure Playground, but Challenge Hill remains its signature test. Dogs are prohibited on the climb, and the town compares the route to the Manitou Springs Incline. For families in Douglas County, the question is simple: if the event fills its goal, more residents with disabilities can get into classes, camps and outings that would otherwise be out of reach.