When do parks open and close?
Parks are open daily. Urban parks are open from 5:00am to 11:00pm. Mountain parks are open from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Remaining in any park property after hours is prohibited.
When do park restrooms open?
Park restrooms open mid-April but may close temporarily when temperatures drop below freezing. Portable toilets are deployed at permitted athletic fields the last week in March, and the last week in April at picnic sites. Denver Parks and Recreation tries to keep restrooms open through the permit season but may close them early due to frost.
How can I report a problem in a park?
Residents should report issues through the Online Services Hub or 311 (720-913-1311) so that a case can be generated, routed to the appropriate agency/team, tracked and closed.
How can I report park rule violations?
Park users who witness behavior that violates Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) Rules and Regulations can report the activity while it is occurring to the Denver Park Ranger Office by calling 311 (720-913-1311). Depending on resources available, a Ranger can be dispatched to the area to further assess the situation. For emergencies, call 911.
When do I need a park permit?
Permits are required for gatherings larger than 25 people and for exclusive use of picnic sites and shelters, along with athletic fields. The Park Permit Office can be reached at park.permits@denvergov.org or 720-913-0700. Picnic sites are available for reservation April 1–October 1 in urban parks, and May 1–September 30 in mountain parks. Picnic permit requests are accepted each year beginning in mid-February. Visit denvergov.org/Picnics for more information or to book a site.
How do I know if athletic fields are closed?
Athletic fields open in mid-March and close the first week of November, except for synthetic turf fields which are open during the winter season by permit only. Conditions and closure notices can be found by calling the Athletic Field Hotline at 720-865-6978, which is updated daily at 2:00pm. For weather impacts, the hotline is updated at 6:30am Monday-Friday, and 7:30am on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit denvergov.org/Permits.
When are water fountains turned on?
Drinking fountains are activated in early May and kept on until early October. Decorative and interactive play fountains are turned on in late May, usually around Memorial Day, once the threat of frost has passed. Interactive play fountains operate daily from 11:00am – 7:00pm.
Why are some drinking fountains not turned on?
Some drinking fountains were constructed prior to Denver Water implementing upgraded pipeline standards for drinking water. These older drinking fountains do not comply with potable water requirements and are therefore non-operational.
When are flowerbeds planted?
Annual flower displays are planted between mid-May and early June each year and remain in parks until early-mid October when flowerbeds and irrigation systems are winterized.
Why can’t parks be irrigated at night only?
Parks are irrigated during overnight hours into the morning. Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) irrigation systems start at 9:00pm and run through the night in different zones. Because of water flow limitations and the large size of some parks, irrigation zones may run into the morning hours when people are more likely to use parks and trails. Specific days and run-times of certain zones vary significantly due to changing seasonal water needs, rain holds, mow schedules, seed/sod establishment, and associated adjustments to mow schedules. DPR realizes this may cause an inconvenience for some park users and appreciates the public’s understanding of maintenance requirements and scheduling limitations.
What does Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) do about weeds in parks?
An increase in dandelions is common in April and May, following a dry winter and spring. Mow schedules begin late April, making them much less noticeable by summer. If there are still concentrations of weeds in the fall, and in high-traffic turf, operations staff will do their best to spot-spray those areas. Fall is the best time to spray post-emergent perennial and biennial broadleaf weeds such as dandelions, as the herbicides are more likely to reach the root system.
DPR’s goal is to implement Best Management Practices to support a strong turf management program, reducing the need for post-emergent herbicides on broadleaf weeds such as dandelions. DPR’s Best Management Practices include proper irrigation, mowing, fertilization and aeration—which is the most effective way to reduce weed competition in turf and is practiced in the 2,500 acres of turf maintained by Denver Parks and Recreation.
When do outdoor pools open?
The outdoor pool season typically begins the first week of June and lasts until mid-late August. Some pools open earlier and close later than others due to maintenance issues and/or staffing resources. Visit denvergov.org/SwimmingPools for pool schedules and closure announcements. Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) makes every effort to extend the outdoor pool season as long as possible, but staffing limitations are frequently a challenge, as many lifeguards’ availability is impacted by school schedules. DPR Aquatics offers free lifeguard certification training in an effort to continually recruit team members of all ages. Email aquaticsjobs@denvergov.org for more information.