Denver's Top Family Parks

Playgrounds, Ponds and Parks

Image by nyki m

1. City Park

Image by Squish E

At 330 acres in size, you would expect City Park to have a bit of everything, and as luck would have it, it does. City Park far more than just home to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, it's a beautiful outdoor recreation spot frequented by families, couples, athletes and photographers. The park's urban surroundings can be off-putting to some parents, but as far as public lands in Denver go, City Park is quite safe.

Rent a paddleboat and take the kids around the lake with its massive central fountain or head to the smaller water fountains and let them run between the water jets shooting randomly into the air. Multiple playgrounds at City Park mean easy access no matter where the car is parked and there's even a nice jogging path that circles the lake's edge. What does 330 acres mean in the end? No crowding, plenty of activities and a great family environment.

2. Central Park

A playground modeled after the most modern theories concerning child development and play is the heart of Stapleton's Central Park. Forsaking the old contraptions of metal and wood, plastic and rope, this new play area features non-traditional structures that challenge the imagination and encourage physical activity.

Playing off of the new fad of environmental activism so rampant in the region, part of the playground features rock formations and flowing miniature streams. Favorite structures like swings and monkey bars remain, but they have been reworked and remodeled until they look and act completely different than their 20th century counterparts. The park's 80 acres aren't fully occupied by developed structures; other areas include a quiet urban forest and soaring hills designed for winter sledding.

3. Washington Park

The heart of one of our most popular family neighborhoods, Wash Park's 165 acres are less directly family-oriented than, say, City Park, but do offer a more traditional park feel. Jogging and bike paths crisscross grassy spaces, circling around the park's two lakes and sculpted garden beds. While Wash Park may be less than modern in some ways, it still has plenty for kids to do. In addition to a playground, it has paddleboat rentals, a fishing pond and a rec center complete with an indoor swimming pool.

4. Westlands Park

What child doesn't dream of owning a tree house? While it might not be ownership, you can at least have the experience at Westlands Park, where the playground feels more like a tree house than anything else. Visually stimulating and physically challenging, the park has distinct play areas that range from a climbing structure that seems built of logs and boulders to a huge sand pit. Greenwood Village's 25-acre park also appeals to older children and teens, with an in-line skate rink, sports fields and a skate park.

5. Congress Park

Smaller and less crowded than some of our city's top parks, Congress Park is a pleasant escape from the confines of home but not as unique as some of these other destinations. So why head to Congress Park? An easy drive, an outdoor swimming pool and wading area, a quaint playground and sparsely occupied open areas lets children run free and create their own fun.