Centennial Center Park

Following the path from the upper parking lot. Splash pad to the far left, climbing ropes area in the center, and large climbing structure to the right with amphitheater visible to the back.

  Wow! What an amazing park and splash pad this one is! I would highly recommend this park for a day trip for all ages as it is very spacious with lots to do, both in and out of water, and the design allows for older children to play in areas that are more challenging and interesting to them while the younger ones still have plenty of interesting and fun things to do, too. This park is just so beautifully designed, spread out, and offers so much to see and explore theres no wonder it is 'award winning'. Yes, it is a drive from downtown Denver, but it was less than a half hour for us which is no problem at all for a wonderful day out (and free at that!). It was a sunny, 90 degree day when we went and although it seemed like there were a lot of people, the design and the amount of things to explore didn't make it feel too overwhelming or like we had to wait to use certain areas. There are plenty of picnic tables, bathrooms, and you can even rent out the covered picnicking areas or the amphitheater (talk about a fabulous, low-maintenace birthday party full of fun!). Check out their website for more info: Centennial Center Park Website

Overlooking some of the play areas in the park from the upper pathway. This park is unique in that there are several different areas to explore spread out from one another, such as the little red house. 

The smaller of the climbers, just right for my young toddler. Soft, rubbery play pad in the climbing area.

Partial view of the splash pad- it's amazingly large! Water comes from all directions: up out of the flowers, smaller sprays from the ground, sideways from a mushroom, and dumping from buckets high above the ground.

Another view of the spray pad. The little ones loved the mushroom-typed sprayer, as well as the small river that they could climb in and out of (in between the rocks seen in the picture, and you can see and adult and two children standing in it to the left). Some of the bigger sprayers and the dumping buckets are to the back, left, and most of the bigger kids played over there and our little ones payed show no interest allowing a good separation of older and younger children.  

Being an early childhood teacher for numerous years this was my absolute favorite thing: a water play table in the sand! The yellow circle that you see near the older child is a sprocket that children can turn on to disperse water. The table extends to the back with holes for filling and parts that move so that you can transport water from one area to another. I have NEVER seen something like this at a park before, but knowing young children like I do I know that this type of play area needs to be built WAY more often! Everyone was splashing around in the big mud puddle, and we thought it was great because we could just have them run through the spray pad area again to clean off before changing. 

Large climbing web with wide ropes, hanging ladders, and other interesting climbing apparatuses. 

Notice the climbing walls in the back, and the preschooler in the forefront was trying to walk along the bottom rope while holding the top rope. Also small tunnels to climb through in the rock structures.

Amazing treehouse-type climber for preschooler and older aged children, allowing them to climb up to another level where they could then slide down slides built into the hillside (not in view).

PH- Observatory Park

Playground Hopping

  Situated less than a mile from the intersection of Colorado and Evans (Fillmore borders the park to the west, Milwaukee on it's east, Evans on it's north), this park is small yet a gem for sure! I especially love it for several reasons: one of two climbers there is specifically for ages 2-5, there is lots of shade from numerous trees, it is unique compared to most of the other playgrounds in the area and there are also tons of (donated?) random toys around. At first I thought the toys all around were a bit odd and didn't know if they belonged to one person specifically, but once I realized they are just a part of the park my little one loved playing with them! There were trucks for using in the dirt and tons of ride-on/push toys that you just can't explore leisurely anywhere else. And although pavement isn't always the friendliest ground for little knees, rarely does my little get the opportunity to cruise around on such smooth ground while pushing toys, which he clearly enjoyed. 

View of the park from Fillmore Street.

Standing in the same spot as above, but turned northeast looking at the numerous picnic tables shaded by many trees.

The climber that is labeled as being for ages 2-5. Lots of things to manipulate and explore. 

Still looking towards the smaller climber, but with the sand area and playhouse in view.  There is a built in table with pulley and scoop for filling and dumping dirt.

Sand area from opposite side. Notice the trucks and ride-on/push toys around. 

Standing on the pavement which lies in between the smaller climber and the larger one, which also has swings. 

The play area for older children: lots of unique climbing opportunities.

Civic Green Park and Splashpark- Highlands Ranch

  I don't want to call it playground hopping because you do have to journey all the way down to Highlands Ranch (about 35-40 minutes from our location in Denver), but it's definitely worth the trip! Civic Green Park has a playground, covered picnic tables, green fields and an outdoor amphitheater. The park is surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers and it has a stream flowing through it as well (some children were playing in it, but on our visit we stuck to the fountains which were easier for my little one to maneuver on his own). 

View of the playground upon entering the park across from Blake Street.

Playground with wood chips. We were so busy at the fountains that we didn't get to test it out on this visit!

  The highlight of Civic Green is the Splashpark: there are two separate fountain areas where children can run and play in. The smaller of the two is up higher in the park near the main entryway and the playground, and the larger fountains are right in front of the amphitheater. The fountains spray upward from the ground, and at times they go low and then shoot back up. We started at the smaller fountain so that my little one could get a feel for it, and when he seemed to be enjoying himself and getting used to the spraying water we ventured to the larger ones. Although there were a lot of people it was spaced out so it didn't feel too overwhelming, and my little one loved it! 

Upper, smaller fountain. 

Standing at the smaller fountain looking down onto the pavilion and larger fountains.

Case Pavilion.

Touching the water as it got low, then he ran off screeching with joy as it shot back up!

PH- Washington Park

Playground Hopping

  If you live in Denver or are familiar with the city at all you're probably wondering why I haven't brought up Wash Park yet. Well, if you also have a baby or toddler than you sure as hell also know that we don't always get to do exactly what we as adults want, now do we? Nope. But I've finally ventured down to Wash Park with my little one and we had such a fun day! My biggest fear before taking him, just like City Park, was the Geese: although fun to watch they shit EVERYWHERE, and when you have an oral one-year-old it could really make or break your day if you know what I mean. However, if you plan it out just right there are plenty of places to play in the park where you can avoid (mostly) the geese and their droppings.

There are two small ponds, and one of which you can watch people in paddle boats.

A playground just right for little ones! This playground is near picnic area 3 in the south end of the park. There are bucket swings, sand around the playground (don't forget some sand toys) and the climber is nice and small for toddlers with three small slides and a tunnel. 

The larger of the two playgrounds, this one sits right near the main parking entrance at Downing and Exposition Streets  (west side of the park). It looks like it was built in the 70's or 80's with it's wooden frame and metal slides. It is very large and offers lots to explore. On this particular day we spent most of our time at the other playground so I don't have much else to say specifically about the climber, although it looked like the children that were on it were having a blast. 

Beautiful flower garden along the wide, spacious bike path (which is perfect for strollers! Sorry bikers, but we are good at sharing at least).  

Lots of grassy, shaded areas all around the park. There are also a few different covered picnic areas as well as sporadic picnic tables throughout. Notice the clean, wide, paved path for walking on.