The 10 best playgrounds in and around Denver

The call of a playground is like a siren song to kids of all ages. When the space also functions what the parents and their little ones want, it’therefore the perfect way to spend a day.

To get Erie parent Christy Schaefer, finding the very ideal playground to bring her three brothers to eventually become an adventure and after that, in 2019, a well-researched website named Slides and Sunshine. With this free site, Schaefer gives hard-to-find details about Colorado playgrounds such as bathroom access, what they appeal tosize and whether they’re covered in wood chips, sand or rubber.

“I look at playgrounds from a parent’s perspective and a kid’therefore perspective,” said Schaefer, whose brothers are currently 6, 10 and 13. “I love uniqueness, such as themed playgrounds and those who feel as though they have a little something added to make it unforgettable. ”

There are all sorts of playgrounds in Colorado, from ones with tall and exciting slides into more natural themes to basic swing-and-jungle-gym spots. Her map comprises more than 250 playgrounds across Colorado. Using Shaefer’s tips and comments from different parents, we narrowed that down to the top 10 playgrounds near or in Denver.

Paco Sanchez Park

Location: 1290 Knox Court, Denver

Age recommendation: preschool and upwards

This is 1 playground that many parents (Schaefer among them) have voiced love .

“It’s a cool park with a lot of Denver background,” she explained. “Paco Sanchez has been a really popular DJ and also the park includes a 1950s radio theme. ”

Francisco “Paco” Sanchez became the first Latino radio announcer in Denver and purchased his very own radio station in 1954, KFSC-AM. This playground in Sun Valley pays homage to him with a massive play structure shaped like a classic microphone that kids can climb in and slip from; album “channels ” around the park together with facts regarding Sanchez and Denver in the 1950s; along with a definite slide shaped like a gramophone.

It’therefore a large, active space with lots of items to explore, a toilet near, basketball court, skate park and lots of other kids to play .

Ralston Central Park

Location: 5850 Garrison St., Arvada

Age recommendation: all ages

The most impressive thing about that Arvada park is that the towering structure rising up from the rubber surface. Kids love to climb this into the top and then come back on the slip. There are fake stones surrounding the towerand for small kids, a play cottage and miniature equipment with a roller slip that’s guaranteed to make them giggle.

This playground is directly alongside a massive splash pad, too, though it hasn’t even been decided if it is going to start in 2021 because of COVID-19 regulations. There are bathrooms in the building next door (or porta potties if that’therefore closed), picnic tables and shade structures.

Swansea Park

Location: 2650 E. 49th Ave., Denver

Age recommendation: all ages

This hidden neighborhood playground was created by local elementary students who engaged in a leadership program called Imagine the Possibilities. It’s one of Schaefer’s all time favorite Denver parks because of that, and all the fun things to do such as a zip line, a dual fold, preschool-sized playhouse, log maze along with rope internet. It’s located directly near the Swansea Recreation Center, which, if it’therefore receptive, has a toilet that kids can use. In summer time there are also a great deal of shady trees and places to put a blanket and have a picnic.

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Globeville Landing Park

Location: 3901 Arkins Court

Age recommendation: two to 12

Globeville used to be home to a large smelting plant, which bit of this history could be viewed throughout the plan of this multi-level playground.

“We employed the smelting process in an abstract means to organize the playground elements,” said programmer Dean Pearson of this Architerra Group, that was responsible for creating the space. “The custom-designed climbing wall includes a natural-looking exposed stone wall symbolizing the raw materials used to start the smelting process, along with the rock climbing cubes symbolize the quarried material. ”

There’s a cauldron slide that imitates the melting of the ore into the raw materials, and a lot of more common equipment for kids ages two to 12 to play on. Train-obsessed kids are going to delight in observing engines roll nearby, and there’therefore a river next to the playground perfect for throwing stones into. The playground was developed in 2019 and now the only shade comes from a few structures, since the trees have to grow big enough.

The only tricky part about this stunning room is parking. Pearson said right now the only place to park would be over Arkins Court, adjacent to the curb, or across the road near the Pepsi plant. There’ll be additional parking as the National Western Center gets redeveloped. Until then, it’s a quiet spot that’s big enough for a whole good deal of kids, but is rarely crowded.

Washington Park

Location: 701 S. Franklin St., Denver

Age recommendation: two to 10

The theme of this playground is nature and wood, and kids love walking across the wooden maze, skating across the rolling pavement, flying on the swings and investigating the treehouse-like construction. The base is wood chips, there is a bathroom nearby and plenty of places to picnic.

“I liked it because it has more of a pure feel and there’therefore a big bee it’s possible to climb on,” said Schaefer, who included that the sandbox was a popular feature. “It is a excellent shaded park too, and those are tough to discover. ”

All of Washington Park is enormous, and the playground is situated near the center, near Grasmere Lake and the basketball courts. There’s a parking lot near, making seeing the playground much easier as road parking is rare. Kids can also use a nearby bathroom, though it’therefore a little walk from the playground.

Hopper Hollow Park

Location: 6351 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge

Age recommendation: up to 10

A whimsical park themed around adorable bugs and plants? Sign us up. This Wheat Ridge playground speaks to easy times when merry-go-rounds have been lily sticks and pads flew over ladybugs. There are two scaling walls children can use to get into the lime green structure, which matches three slides and sufficient facets worth researching. There’s an area for 2- to 5-year-olds to play on, and the surface is rubberized so no need to worry about kids who push wood chips inside their mouth. You’ll find a porta potty near, too.

Clear Creek Valley Park

Location: 3700 W. 58th Place, Arvada

Age recommendation: all ages

This sunny park is quite new, and includes a toilet and water fountain directly there. The four unique sections cater to all ages, for example, fitness zone for adults (and inquisitive kids), a sandbox and creek area, toddler zone and big kid playground. There’therefore a zip line, rope swing and “mining” place with running water in the summer months. The older kid place has a clubhouse sense, complete with a bogus tree to climb slides.

“What I love the most is your toddler area, which features garden items such as a chicken coop play construction along with a watering can you can fit indoors,” said Schaefer. “It’s one of my absolute favorites to meet at with different buddies as it’s near the street and fairly fundamental when meeting somebody from Denver. ”

Maple Grove Park

Location: 14600 W. 32nd Ave., Golden

Age recommendation: 1 for 12

Though this playground is slightly from the Denver metro area, it has a special feature value the 20-minute drive. It’s a scavenger hunt played directly on-site that entails looking for pictures all over the area.

“They got a panel that shows a photo of 10 objects, such as an apple and a frog, and then around the playground are those small emblems stuck on the side of such as the slip or the rod that holds the swing set,” stated Schaefer. “The kids to run around the playground and find the items. ”

The playground is done in vibrant colors, not the usual neutral hues most gear is built with. There are rope bridges to climb, slides, and giant bright bugs to explore, toddler-sized structures along with a rubberized surface which ’s good for little ones who place wood chips and gravel inside their mouths.

Veterans Memorial Park

Location: 6015 Forest Drive, Commerce City

Age recommendation: all ages

At Commerce City, there’s a relatively new playground that’s only one of the most inclusive ventures around. It’so good for all ages and abilities and includes a bathroom and a water reservoir. The gear is colorful and features a seated merry-go-round, monkey bars, sensory experiences, baby and big kid swings, musical instruments and stones to climb all over. There’s an animal publish scavenger hunt. Add a bit of background to the visit too by quitting at the veterans memorial.

Gates Crescent Park

Location: 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver

Age recommendation: 2-12

Located next to the Children’s Museum nearby downtown and across the Platte River, this park features a large boat which ’so great for little ones to play and pretend they’re sailing the high seas. There’s a bridge to equilibrium on, bicycle, ring bars plus two slides perfect for toddlers. The base is wooden chips and there are plenty of tables and trees to utilize. To the best of this playground are some distinctive stones that kids can climb on and determine which kind of creature they are supposed to be in the shape of. Bonus: In the summertime, there’s that the Denver Trolley to ride.

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