South Suburban Parks and Recreation

By Lindsay Robinson, Digital Communications Supervisor

South Suburban Parks and Recreation is embracing current and future trends in innovative parks and recreation opportunities with its Esports Lounge and biannual Esports Showcases. South Suburban’s 2017 Master Plan prioritized inclusive programming for kids and adults of all ages and abilities. In response, South Suburban created its first esports program in a multipurpose room inside the Lone Tree Hub – a building that formerly housed a library. “Online connectivity has been a mainstay in the gaming community for some time and has created a disconnect in the interpersonal communication between its members,” South Suburban Esports Coordinator Tyler McIntosh said. “By hosting local in-person events, we are able to build an ever growing and great community that may not have otherwise interacted outside of an online space.”

The Esports Lounge offers a safe space for youth of all ages to play popular, age-appropriate games in a community environment. Affordable drop-in play rates make it an accessible option for patrons that don’t have access to the equipment or games in their own homes, or those who want to make new friends while playing their favorite games.

“Traditional sports often have physical and/or mental restrictions that hinder a large majority of interested individuals,” McIntosh said. “Gaming has no such barriers, and we are happy to be able to offer a competitive space and atmosphere for ANY individual regardless of their background or demographic.”

Most recently, the program has expanded to form unique community partnerships. The biannual Esports Showcase is a chance for high school, collegiate, amateur and pro players and teams to celebrate gaming in Colorado. The inaugural showcase in fall 2022 hosted 60+ players and earned sponsorships from companies like Ting, Logitech, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Special Olympics Colorado and more. This year’s Spring Showcase featured even more players and community partners, and the upcoming 2023 Fall Showcase is expected to continue this growth.

“By holding a large-scale local event, we’re providing a great opportunity for sponsors and local organizations to come in and provide support,” McIntosh said. “In turn, our community sees that we have local talent and resources, and gamers are exposed to the wide range of opportunities within the industry. They may see a potential career pathway and that esports is not JUST about playing the games, but also all of the other great community aspects involved.”