If you're looking for a great spot to get outside with family or friends, Horseshoe Park hits on…read moreall the basics and then some. There's a brand new playground with updated, safe equipment that's perfect for kids and fun to watch them explore parents around Aurora have been loving the safer slides, swings for all ages, and new play options. Two baseball/softball fields make it a solid choice if you want open sports space, and the large parking area means no hunting for a spot before you start your visit. What sets this park apart for me are the walking and bike paths wide, paved, and connected to regional trail systems like the Tollgate Creek and Cherry Creek Spillway trails, so you can easily make it a long stroll or just a quick loop. There's plenty of open green space, wildlife sightings (from hawks and foxes to the occasional deer), and room to spread out whether you're chilling on a blanket or out for a walk. Overall it's clean, family‑friendly, and a great community outdoor spot in Aurora perfect for everyday adventures and casual hangouts.

Yes, the "play area" of this park consists of a baseball diamond and a small playground…read more There is TONS of room to move around. Places for picnics in the grass. Miles of walking and bike paths. Paths are paved and wide enough for both bike and pedestrian traffic. Being a nice spring day, there was a bit of a bug issue if you are walking. I recommend ample supply of bug repellent. Plenty of parking and a restroom facility make this a good spot to walk and ride.

This rather isolated park is one of the natural spaces next to the South Platte River…read more Unfortunately, South Platte River Drive separates the park from the river and there is no access to the South Platte River Trail from this space. You must go directly north to the adjacent Johnson-Habitat Park to access the river and the trail. Platte River Drive cuts off the east side of the park and the other sides are surrounded by a rather sleepy industrial area, so the park is generally very quiet. There are two large sports fields and a generous parking lot, so I imagine things get crowded when a game is in progress. The other major amenity of the park is a small but beautiful lake at the south end. A pedestrian/bicycle path meanders through most of the park and there are also large grassy areas. West Exposition Avenue cuts between Johnson-Habitat and Vanderbilt parks. It ends in the large Vanderbilt Park parking lot.

I visited Vanderbilt Park in March 2021 in my ongoing effort to experience all Denver parks and get…read moresome good exercise along the way. Vanderbilt offers a couple baseball fields and a roughly paved path - the path loops the baseball fields and a small pond - expect a 10 minute loop at a moderate pace. A couple other pros are bathroom facilities and what I assume is a small concession stand for nicer weather (probably during game time). Since the path is pretty uneven, it's not the best place to do your laps, but could certainly be worse. I parked over on the street due to the signs in the parking lot providing notice of vehicle break ins. :( There was also a small tent camp at the time I visited. I was the only one actively using the park and decided to head elsewhere after my first lap. While I probably won't be back, it's a nice enough place for a walk if you live in the neighborhood, and is probably a lot of fun during baseball season.

Be aware of the one person there always filming and taking pictures of kids at the park and posting…read morethem on YouTube. My kids can't even ride their small legal motorized bikes there because of him.

This park is lovely! It's tucked away from the main road in a nice little neighborhood. There is a…read moresmaller sized play ground for smaller kiddos and they even have a teeter-totter! It has a nice open area for doggies or playing catch, and a pagoda for picnics. There's even a nice path looping around for biking, skating or walking. Basketball hoops, four square markings, hopscotch! It truly is a nice little park for everyone!

Platt park is a nice little to medium sized park on the southwest side of Denver. It connects to…read morethe Decker library, the senior rec center and other surrounding treasures to explore. The park has a nice playground and large grassy areas and was named after a Denver business man from the late 1800's who unfortunately drowned in a lake up in Georgetown. Nice place to go and visit.

Great little park in my neigh neigh! They have a playground for the little ones, half court hoops…read morefor a little street cred, horseshoe pits for the adults, plenty of benches to relax, trees for shade, and open space for tanning or volleyball! The park is located 1 block from Historic Old South Pearl Street, which is loaded with fun things to do. The neighborhood usually sponsors an annual Easter egg hunt for kids under 12, which is definitely thrilling to watch. The park also shows movies and has music occasionally, but could do more to improve entertainment options during the summer months. The Fleming Mansion, Senior Center, and Decker Library are all located at the north end of the park. So if you are in the neighborhood grab some drinks, a pizza, a book, or all three, and have a little picnic in this hidden Denver gem!

Really wonderful area to hike in JefCo…read more Excellent parking lot. Amazing well maintained trails with views back to Denver and beyond. We even bumped into a Jefferson county ranger hiking the trail ( and this is not a rare exception). Parts of the trail were really icy and slippery ( bring traction for your shoes!)

You can get here in 15-20 minutes from downtown Denver, so win there! Then the views!…read more When the trail first starts, admittedly, it seems like it will be boring. You start in an open clearing. Then you can go right on Cherry Gulch (?) trail - which is shorter and more challenging to get to the top. We did see a mountain lion as we ended our hike later than we planned. This is a really nice park that is so close to the city. We definitely will return and I encourage you to go. I didn't feel that the climb was challenging at all.

Hidden in a cool part of Englewood this park surrounds itself with cute homes and a very…read moreinteresting house at the corner of Clarkson and Bates! The park has a little playground for the kiddos and plenty of room to play frisbee, cornhole, or set up a few volleyball courts. Good little spot to gather with friends too!

Nice park for a hike or run! Good elevation gain if heading up the Old Ski Run Trail. Kid friendly…read moreas well for the smaller loops. It tends to be more shaded. Currently there is some snow, ice, and mud on the trail - as well as a few downed trees - so be careful! Otherwise a nice quiet forest hike.

Closer to the city, yet far enough away to feel like you're getting a break from it all. Sledding…read morehills for the super snowy times, a variety of trails for all others (hiking or snow shoeing), and decent bathrooms for the non-winter months. Parking can be muddy, and even a bit off a challenge on really nice days, but it's a good option for a quick hike.

This is a great little taste of Japan just off the bustling traffic of Colorado Boulevard -- it's…read moreone of the Denver Sister Cities International's designated parks that symbolize the close relationships we have with our Sister Cities. We've been Takayama's Sister City for over 60 years, and we have deep close friendships with the people of Takayama. It's a city nestled in the "Japanese Alps" that famous for craftsmanship, artistry, and the Hida region's wagyu beef. The Denver Takayama Sister City Committee (www.denvertakayama.org) hosts events throughout the year, and sponsors both adult and student trips to Japan, and welcome trips from Takayama. Each spring and fall, we meet at this very cool little park to trim the bonsai trees, pull weeds and clean up the site.

For years living in Denver I had no idea why there was a City of Takayama Park... (Or a City of…read moreBrest Park, or a City of Cuernavaca Park, etc.) As it turns out, Denver participates in the Sister Cities International Program and has ten sister cities, including Takayama in Japan. Takayama became Denver's sister city back in 1960. It is said that the two cities share similar traits, including mountainous geography nearby. The relationship has lead to many cultural exchanges over the years. As a park, City of Takayama isn't the most fascinating in you'll ever find. It is mainly open space between the wooded north edge of Cherry Creek and Cherry Creek North Drive. It's main feature is that the Cherry Creek Trail runs through it, which is a great trail that runs all the way out to the reservoir - I personally miss biking this on a regular basis when I lived in Denver. Other than that, there are a few markers that note the relationship between the two cities. Perhaps this is not a destination park, really one that you just pass through or drive by. But, kind of cool to know that there is something more behind it. You can also find out more about the Denver Sister Cities Program at: http://denversistercities.org/