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Urban Parks

Alerts & Special Projects:

Park road & parking lot closures

Roads and parking lots are closed in various parks throughout the city to provide more space for park visitors to practice physical distancing while walking, jogging, biking, and enjoying other types of recreation. These closures remain at some parks. ADA parking spots are provided along the perimeter of the park where roads have been blocked.

View park maps to find more information on closures

Beginning July 6, 2021:
DPR will begin the third phase of reopening recreation centers, which includes Washington Park Recreation center. As planned, vehicle access to the recreation center will open via Franklin Street at both the E. Exposition and E. Kentucky Avenue entrances. View the Washington Park road closure map.

Other Information:
Continued road closures: Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Presentation (2/10/21) | Survey Findings & Next Steps

Sloan's Lake Environmental Assessment

Background:

Sloan’s Lake is a shallow urban lake that has accumulated a significant amount of sediment over the past several decades, resulting in an average water depth of 3.5 feet deep across the lake. In 2020, Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) partnered with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE), Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) Wastewater Management, and the Mile High Flood District (MHFD) to evaluate the existing conditions of the lake that contribute to an increased occurrence of algae blooms, fish kills, and other aquatic habitat health concerns.

Current Progress:

DPR has contracted an environmental consulting firm to perform an assessment of Sloan’s Lake. This analysis includes bathymetric mapping (a topography map of the lake floor), water quality sensor installation and analyses, and sediment sampling. Water quality sensors were installed summer 2021 to collect real-time data of the water conditions within the lake. Analysis of this data will assist in understanding the existing conditions along with changes over time to guide decision making on how to best manage the lake.

DPR is also coordinating with the MHFD to analyze the quality of water entering the lake. This study includes the watershed outside of the City and County of Denver in Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Jefferson County, and Edgewater.

Next Steps:

DPR will gather additional data on the sediment to determine the feasibility and rough costs for possible lake dredging. The in-lake water quality sensors will be redeployed on the lake surface to collect data throughout the 2022 summer season.

The DPR lake management operations team will also perform a phosphorus mitigation treatment during spring 2022. The intent of the treatment is to reduce the amount of phosphorus available to algae, hopefully slowing down its growth and preventing future algae blooms. The treatment will not impact recreational use of the lake. Depending on the results of the first treatment, an additional treatment may occur over the summer.

DDPHE will also assist with collection of water and sediment samples related to both the phosphorus mitigation treatment and ongoing long-term monitoring. DDPHE will contribute to subsequent analyses, continued assessment and other management actions as needed to support the improvement of the lake’s water quality.

Park Information & Resources:

Find a Park

Find a City and County Denver park with our interactive map.

Park Rules & Policies

Find rules and policies for park and facility use, along with frequently asked questions.

Trails

Denver's trail system connects neighborhoods throughout the city. Many follow scenic waterways, offering a pleasant route for both cyclists and pedestrians.

Parkland Acquisition Program

Denver Parks and Recreation recently completed a Strategic Acquisition Plan which provides a framework for decision-making when completing and funding future parkland acquisitions. Learn about recent and current acquisition projects.

Park Amenities

Learn more about the types of amenities that can be found in Denver parks such as pickleball courts, fountains, disc golf and more.

Dog Parks

DPR's Dog Park page offers useful information regarding dog parks around the city, rules and regulations, maintenance and closures, as well as technical updates.

Park Rangers

The mission of Denver Park Rangers is to maximize public safety, protect park resources and provide service to visitors.

Bike Parks

Several bike parks are available for riders of all ages and skill levels.

Boating

Five Denver lakes are open for hand-launched boating.

Integrated Pest Management

DPR uses a multi-strategy approach to reduce damage while assessing environmental resiliency, cost, and most importantly, staff and public safety.

Resilience Program

Denver Parks and Recreation's resilience program works to create a more sustainable park system by guiding the implementation of best practices in low-water and native landscape management.

Construction & Access Permits

A Construction and Access Permit issued through Denver Parks and Recreation are required prior to any activity that will impact Denver Parks and Recreation facilities (parks, parkways, recreation centers, golf courses, trails, medians, etc.). This includes access across or through Parks and Recreation property.