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Goggles? Check. Swimsuit? Yep. Oversized towel? You better believe it. Summer is approaching fast, which means it’s just about time to hear the sounds of happiness as families splash and flip and swim their way through summer break. Best of all, the outdoor pool at Meridian Ranch Recreation Center is set to open in late May. There’s no better way to pass the long, hot days of summer in sunny Colorado than having fun poolside.

Let’s get ready for fun! Here are a few tips and tricks for maximizing this summer activity:

Play it safe

First things first: pool safety is a top priority, and the start of the season is the perfect time for a refresher. Here are some tips for successful, safe outings by the water:

• Be in the know: Whether you choose to swim at Meridian Ranch Rec Center’s indoor pool—complete with lazy river and ... Read More

At Meridian Ranch, there’s always something to do. Here, residents can “get away to it all.” For people of all ages and interests, finding fitness at Meridian Ranch is a pleasure, as the opportunities are plentiful. Read on to discover just a slice of what you’ll find in the community.

Meridian Ranch Rec Center

The Meridian Ranch Recreation Center (MRRC) is home to fun and fitness opportunities all year long. With drop-in and organized activities alike, as well as two pools, the options run the gamut for the youngest residents to those in their golden years.

Aquatics

Aquatic fitness is a year-round possibility at the MRRC. The indoor pool area features a waterslide, lazy river, lap lanes, and more. A heated outdoor pool, complete with a beach entry, slide, and lap lanes, draws families in the warmer months.

Youth Sports in ... Read More

There is nothing quite like seeing the greens of daffodils and tulips emerge from the earth—sometimes from beneath a covering of snow!—in early spring. It may seem now like winter is here to stay, but it’s not! Rest assured, spring is just around the corner. Are you yearning for longer days? Are your creative gardening ideas beginning to flow? This month is a great time to start preparing for the warmer seasons ahead.

Whether you’re a gardening newbie or seasoned cultivator, check out these helpful tips to make sure your Colorado garden is ready for the growing season:

Make a List 

First things first: What do you want to plant? This is a crucial—and fun!—question to answer as you begin dreaming up your summer garden. Consider the following as you browse plant books, seed catalogs, and gardening websites for inspiration:

• Read More

What’s hot and what’s not with interior design in the new year? With the donning of a new calendar comes the promise of a new array of interior design trends. Are cool whites still in? Are natural materials truly timeless? But most importantly, what style will you choose to incorporate in your beautiful home?

Here are some trends designers forecast will be in vogue in the months ahead:

Hot interior trends for 2023

Pattern play

Wallpaper is back, particularly in small spaces such as a powder room. Incredible style-forward designs empower homeowners to have fun and express their personal tastes. Bring on the colors and prints!

Wellness on display

No more hiding workout equipment in the basement or relegating it to the corner: on the horizon is an embracing of all things physical and mental wellness, from fitness ge... Read More

We are pleased to announce that the 5th Annual Festival of Trees at Meridian Ranch raised over $8000 for local charities. Held November 19-26 at the Meridian Ranch Recreation Center, donors decorated trees and wreaths that were then auctioned off to the highest bidder. Proceeds from the purchase of the tree or wreath went to a charity of the donor’s choice. The event ended with a visit from Santa himself.

Thank you so much to all of the generous donors that made this event a success!

Is there a place you’ve passed dozens (hundreds!) of times but never visited—perhaps a place people travel the world over to see? It happens to us all. It’s with this mindset we’d like to encourage you this season to explore your town as if you’re a tourist. What an exciting concept—one that’s sure to enrich your life and open your eyes to what makes your community so special.

Here are some hotspots near Meridian Ranch:

Fun Things to do In Falcon: close to home

• Antler Creek Golf Course: It’s time to lace up your golf shoes and practice your swing. This public course is open year-round and is a centerpiece at Meridian Ranch.
• Falcon Regional Park: Colorado is known for its scenery and recreation . . . this park in the Meridian Ranch community has all that and more. The adjacent dog park and... Read More

It’s that time of year for residents to show their holiday spirit! Light up your home, light up your tree and gather all the trimmings. Prizes will be awarded to the most festive displays.

Prizes will be awarded in the form of gift cards in each judging area as follows:
1st Place: $50
2nd Place: $30
3rd Place: $20
Overall Grand Prize: $100

All participants will receive an ornament. Mountain View Electric will give a credit on the electric bill for the grand prize winner and first place winners from each section.

Meridian Ranch will be divided into nine judging areas. Click here to view a map of the judging areas. All prizes for this competition have been generously donated by DRC No. 1, DRC No. 2 & the Stonebridge HOA

Have your Christmas lights on for judging on Monday, December 12th thru Thu... Read More

Nothing says fall quite like an orange pumpkin. Autumn . . . Halloween . . . they are both synonymous with the jack-o’-lantern. Rooted in Irish history, the story of the jack-o’-lantern dates to the mid 1600s and continues to delight children and adults today.

This year, gather the family and make an event of decorating pumpkins to adorn your front porch. Meridian Ranch neighbors and visitors will enjoy the visual feast of seasonal spirit.

Check out this sampling of some jack-o’-lantern designs that are sure to wow:

Classic Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Carving pumpkins is a time-tested tradition for many cultures throughout the world. It’s time to roll up your sleeves, lay out some newspaper, and get busy creating your masterpiece! Start by cutting a hole around the stem and scooping out the mushy innards, complete with seeds. Next, use a pattern for you... Read More

On Sunday, September 11th, one hundred active-duty and retired military residents of Meridian Ranch participated in the 4^th Annual Military Appreciation Golf Tournament at the Antler Creek Golf Course.  The event was free to all participants as a way of saying “thank you” for their service.  Sponsors, including Meridian Ranch builders and local businesses, made the event possible.  A shout out to the staff at Antler Creek Golf Course and Madera’s Grill and Cantina for putting on a great tournament!

$4,750 was raised for the Craig Hospital Operation TBI Freedom. Operation TBI Freedom provides support for veterans and active-duty military personnel with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).  It is located in Colorado Springs and serves the entire state of Colorado.   TBI is a serious yet often invisible injury. For those with TBI, the return to a military career ... Read More

Have big plans for the weekend? As the carefree vibe of summer pivots to a routine of school and a get-down-to-business work schedule, now is the perfect time to take charge of your pantry. After all, it will help your daily lifestyle run more smoothly and efficiently. Whether you are packing lunch for yourself or whipping up a wholesome after-school snack for the kiddos, an organized pantry is a more usable space.

Ready to tackle this rewarding house project this weekend? Here are some steps to follow to ensure Monday morning’s prep is a breeze.

From “Where?” to “There!”: 4 Steps to Your Organized Pantry

Stop wasting time searching your pantry for that elusive spice you know you have but can’t seem to find. As the saying goes, “a place for everything and everything in its place,”—this concept that will save time and prevent frustration in the ... Read More

Living in a master-planned community has a plethora of benefits, and access to support is just one of them. At Meridian Ranch, we make it easy, compiling all the important information you’ll need to transition to this amazing place with ease. From FAQs to HOA documents, we’ve got it all at our Resident Resources page . . . a one-stop source for all those questions that come up along the way.

Peruse helpful links

• Neighborhood FAQs: What taxes can you expect to pay as a resident at Meridian Ranch? Who can use the recreation facilities? What are the fees for water and street lighting? These questions and so many more can be found at the Meridian Ranch FAQs page. What makes Stonebridge unique? What are the HOA dues in this community? Learn more at the Stonebridge FAQs page.
• Onsite amenities: If you love to golf... Read More

Summer is just around the corner—is your outdoor living space ready? This area adds incredible value to your daily lifestyle. Whether you use the space to relax in a hammock with a good book or to entertain neighbors, family, or friends, this bonus “room” deserves the same inspired decor as those inside the home.

Outdoor living space: design for your style

Here are 6 ways to liven up your outdoor living space and make it an inviting extension of your home:

Light it up

One quick search on Pinterest results in a smorgasbord of ways to incorporate string lights to accent your outdoor living space. These hanging bulbs gleam like stars in the night and can even be powered by the sun if you choose the solar-powered variety. Want even more light (and ambience and warmth)? Why not add a firepit as a focal point for the space? This inviting combo is sure t... Read More

Spring is here, and that means gardening is just around the corner. As Coloradans along the Front Range plan and prepare for the impending growing season, they must do so with one important concept in mind: water usage. In the West, water conservation is crucial to long-term sustainability. The good news is that there is a wide swath of low-water plants that are easy to maintain and that bring exceptional interest and color to any landscape. Read on for water-wise plant selections suited for the area’s unique high plains climate.

Drought-resistant (and deer-resistant!) plants for a water-wise landscape

Careful consideration must be given when planning a garden, whether it be for space, resources, beauty, or purpose. Successful plants will withstand the ever-changing seasonal elements such as wind, hail, and drought. Check out this lineup of climate-friendly varieties... Read More

People can play golf year-round? In Colorado? Yes! This little-known concept (to non-Coloradans, anyway) is a bonus for those who call Meridian Ranch home. Residents here in northeast Colorado Springs enjoy so many perks of a Colorado lifestyle—like 300+ days of sunshine and easy access to Antler Creek Golf Course.

Discover Antler Creek Golf Course

When it comes to golfing spots in El Paso County, Antler Creek Golf Course can’t be beat. Players of all levels enjoy an outstanding golf experience on this Rick Phelps–designed course that features three lakes, seventy-three bunkers, and wide fairways that wind through Meridian Ranch. And did we mention the affordable rates?

This exceptional course—at 8,000 yards, Colorado’s longest—challenges every caliber of golfer with its mix of terrain, including creeks, rolling hills, ravines, and nati... Read More

Maximizing the natural light in your home has plenty of benefits, from lower electricity bills to brighter, more inviting spaces. But did you know natural light can also greatly impact your health? Read on to discover how natural light could benefit you in your daily life.

Natural light for a healthier you

Next to diet and exercise, exposure to natural light is one of the most impactful things we as humans can do to increase our overall health and wellness. Here are some noteworthy benefits of optimizing your exposure to natural light:

Natural light can elevate your mood

Serotonin is a hormone that helps us feel happiness. It stabilizes our moods and gives us positive feelings. Want your brain to make more of the mood-enhancing chemical? Raise the blinds! Natural light signals your brain to produce serotonin, which not only leaves you with a sens... Read More

It’s that time of year—when family and friends come together in celebration of all things festive. No matter the holiday you observe, special meals are bound to accompany the occasion. So polish the silverware, ring the napkins, and slide glossy chargers under the plates for a dash of elegance, but to truly tie the spirit of the festivities together, dazzle guests with a show-stopping centerpiece.

Embellish with style

Hosting guests for the holidays? Once they have oohed and aahed your beautiful home, dazzle them at the dinner table with an eye-catching centerpiece. Here are some inspiring ideas to get you started:

Simply natural table centerpieces

Sometimes it’s the simplicity in a decoration that imparts its greatest elegance. For an understated yet captivating design, keep it simple. Here’s an idea: Collect some hoops of varying sizes from th... Read More

It’s that time of year for residents to show their holiday spirit! Light up your home, light up your tree and gather all the trimmings. Prizes will be awarded to the most festive displays.

Prizes will be awarded in the form of gift cards in each judging area as follows:
1st Place: $50
2nd Place: $30
3rd Place: $20
Overall Grand Prize: $100

All participants will receive an ornament. Mountain View Electric will credit $75 on the electric bill for the grand prize winner and first place winners from each section.

Meridian Ranch will be divided into nine judging areas. All prizes for this competition have been generously donated by DRC No. 1, DRC No. 2 & the Stonebridge HOA

Have your Christmas lights on for judging Monday, December 13th thru Friday, December 17th Between 5:30 & 9:30pm.

Judging done by... Read More

It’s official: Colorado Springs is an amazing place to live. But don’t take our word for it—for the second year running, USA Today reports that Colorado Springs (this year, East Colorado Springs, zip code 80916) is the hottest housing market in the country. This is cause for celebration, because just up the road stands one of the state’s premier master-planned communities: Meridian Ranch.

Driving forces

There is a surge of buyers who have determined that now is a great time to invest in their futures. Desiring to settle down and partake in the real estate market, these buyers, many first-time buyers, are seizing the opportunity, and they’ve decided Colorado Springs is an ideal place to do it. And for good reason: it’s affordable and offers a high quality of life. Homes here start in the $300s and provide easy access to a plethora of outdoor activities (not ... Read More

We all know the brain and body need proper nutrition to function at optimal levels. With the new school year in full swing, now is a great time to find a routine that includes making healthy snacks for the kiddo(s) in your life. Check out these easy-to-assemble, irresistibly delicious snacks that offer a quick recharge after a day in the classroom:

Roasted Chickpeas

Beans are a low-fat, low-calorie source of fiber and protein. Have some cans of chickpeas in your pantry? Drain them, rinse them, toss them in the oven on a cookie sheet, then season to your delight. Go savory with barbeque or ranch; go sweet with cinnamon sugar. All this in less than an hour (of which, only a few moments are hands-on time). Easy and healthy and ready for after-school munching—these finger-lickin’ crunchy bites are oh-so-satisfying.

Try this recipe

Veggies & HummusRead More

Summer is a special time in Colorado, especially for recreation enthusiasts. Statewide there are tons of activities and scenic places to explore, but when you live at Meridian Ranch, adventure is just beyond your doorstep.

Playing outside is fun for the whole family, and it’s also a great way to find health and wellness. In fact, studies show that time spent outdoors:

• Relaxes the body,
• Reduces stress;
• Alleviates anxiety;
• Boosts mood levels;
• Elevates Vitamin D absorption (strengthening bones); and
• So much more!

Want to experience the benefits of an active lifestyle? Check out this list of recreation hotspots in the community that make finding health in the outdoors accessible, convenient, and oh-so enjoyable.

Antler Creek Golf Course

According to scientists, green spaces have a positive imp... Read More