PH: W.H. Ferguson Park

   Located in Park Hill on the corner of 23rd and Dexter, this park is just one block from the Park Hill Library. Although it isn't very big it is fenced in with a grassy field, a climber surrounded by sand and swings (two regular, one baby). The climber is geared more towards preschool and up with its ladders and gaps, but the sanded ground is perfect for toddlers, just remember to bring some sand toys as I don't think that there were any community ones available. There is also a gazebo with bench seating to shade the sun. 

PH: Robinson Park

Playground Hopping: Robinson Park

Location: 3rd and Glencoe/Fairfax, Hilltop Denver

   A nice little park close to Crestmoor. Large field, climber, swings, and in the summer bathrooms and water fountains. 

PH: Greenway Park

Playground Hopping: Greenway Park 

  Located just a few blocks to the East of Fred Thomas Park, this little park is quite the gem. It is nestled in between trees and offers picnic tables, benches, several different climbers for varying ages, bathrooms and a water fountain in the summer and a very large sand area that I hear has water that fills up the shallow pools in the summer for splashing in. The preschooler and infant that I've taken to this park LOVE the sand area, and especially love that there are a variety of toys that have been donated to the playground. Walk due west to Fred Thomas Park, and due east to the climbing park.

PH: Odyssey School Playground

Playground Hopping

Location: 21st & Monaco, Park Hill Denver

     It's a schoolyard, but offers 2 larger climbing structures in the back, and then a separately fenced smaller climber along 21st. 

PH: Fred Thomas Park

Playground Hopping

Location: NE Park Hill/ Stapleton at 23rd & Quebec.

     I've been spending a lot of time in North Park Hill and have been struggling to find many walk-to destinations for the kiddos. This park is definitely one that we have been frequenting though, as it seems to be kept well (we see groundsmen almost every visit), there are picnic tables in several areas, it offers large fields with trees, a variety of sports fields that are fun to play on (soccer, basketball and volleyball), and of course it has a playground! 

     Surrounded by sand this playground has a slides, things to climb on, and a bouncy bridge. There are also two little bouncy ride-on toys to the side. This park is also fairly close to 29th street place in Stapleton, so you can easily walk to the eateries or even fountains in the summer. 

PH: Hallett Science & Tech Academy

Playground Hopping

Location: North Park Hill Denver, 29th and Kearney Street  

     Another schoolyard playground, but if you’re in the area and in need of an evening or weekend place to explore this one has lots to do! Two larger climbers with a lot of climbing steps, walls and ladders, and a smaller climber that is fenced in yet still offers lots to climb and explore.

     I've been spending more time in the North Park Hill/ Stapleton areas of Denver lately, so hopefully I'll be finding and posting more fun spots in the area!

PH: Chaffee Park

Playground Hopping

Location: Chaffee Park, Northwest Denver at 44th and Tejon Street

     Ultimately I wouldn’t recommend this park for an outing, but I was in the area with a new charge for a few days and this was the closest park that I found so I should at least give my opinion (clearly I will be doing much more research if I end up in the area again). Large fields, a playground and swings provide for some enjoyment, although unfortunately the climber is falling apart (a rope to climb on extending from one end of the climber to the other is missing; a small bulldozer climber for little ones has a large crack down the middle of the slide). Another disheartening sight that I noticed was the people. When we visited this playground just before 5:00pm I noticed not one but two grown men passed out in the park- one right in the middle of the field moaning every so often, and another near the bathrooms who attempted to stand up and walk at one point but was clearly unstable enough to hold his own balance. I know that this is the world we are living in today, but for the amount of parks that I’ve visited in Denver I’ve never seen such nonsense so close to the children’s play area. With a young toddler who is only focused on playing we were fine, but if I had older children I would’ve felt very uncomfortable letting them play so close to such sad sites. What the hell, Denver? I thought we were better than this…

PH- McWilliams Park

Playground Hopping

A small park with playground, grassy field, picnic table, benches and a very small stream  located on the north-side of Yale at the intersection of Fillmore.

Great playground area surrounded by sand. Lots to climb on, plus the large dinosaur skeleton has a small hide-away under it to explore. Covered picnic tables are an added bonus!

More picnic tables in the grassy, tree-covered fields. To the far end there is also a soccer net. 

PH- Central Park

Playground Hopping

Fountain area in the summer. Oddly this summer we went twice and the fountains were closed for repairs both times. I was told by someone who frequents the park that this was unusual.

In addition to a small pond and large pathways to walk around the grassy fields, there is also a large play area with sections for littles ones (below), as well as swings, and unique climbing apparatuses for older children. In the middle of the play areas there are rubbery climbing hills (seen in purple in the pictures).

Small climber for younger children. This playground gets VERY hot in the summer!

Large pathways through the playground area with picnicking to the right. Behind me to the west is where the fountain area is well as bathrooms, and the main parking area. Looking due east behind the playground are the large grassy fields, walkways and small pond, as well as another parking area and bathrooms.

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.

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. 

PH- Belleview and Cornerstone

Playground Hopping

Walking from the parking lot on S. Inca  Street towards the upper playground and covered picnic tables 

  We've visited Belleview Park twice now, and once followed the path under University to Cornerstone Playground and Spray park. This is definitely a half hour drive coming from downtown Denver, but it is well worth it for a day outing (well, half day as you know how it goes with the very little ones!). Plan to bring a stroller that you can pack with a picnic, a variety of outdoor gear 'just in case', some cash for the petting zoo and train ride, and if you're feeling brave then pack swimming gear to wade in the cool, clean stream that runs through the park or if you are planning to venture over to Cornerstone. 

A short cement barrier surrounds most of this small-child play-space, which is always nice.  There is a climber, however its not the most fun for my little one, as most of the climbing parts and slides are a bit above his ability level and the climber does't accommodate adults very well. There is a small standing manipulative area that he does enjoy, plus the airplanes were fun to try. Across the picnicking area is a playground for older kids, but we haven't tried it yet as it looks way out of his league.

The small train that goes around the park. For a mere $1.75 a person (free 2 and under) you can have a nice five minute tour along the stream and wave to all of the excited children watching it pass by. Heads up- although simple yet-fun, we went on a Wednesday and there was a line in which we had to wait two rotations before we could ride. The driver said that was actually not bad and that sometimes the line extends down the path. As there are benches along the wait-line we took out some strawberries and a few bites of our sandwiches, which helped keep the little one grounded a bit in the wait. When we went I noticed a sign that said there was a break from 1- 1:30, and at 1:20 there were only a few people in line. If I went back and it was possible, I might aim to head there for 1:15- 1:20 and get on the first train after the break. 

  

Along the stream looking back towards the playground (out of sight up the hill).

Although there were no children swimming when we went in mid-spring, in mid-July there were children and families with blankets and toys out along the stream and enjoying the water. Me and my playdate partner plan to meet up there again soon with our charges for a day just of splashing in the water and enjoying a picnic. 

The petting zoo is very small, but you do get to touch a few sheep and goats, and see chickens and a duck up close.  In this picture the children are around small gated pond with a duck swimming in it.

A small covered area (and with a water mist coming from above!) to touch some of the sheep and goats that are hanging around.

Cornerstone Park

A small area walking under University where there are some swings, covered picnic tables, and this rubber padded area for climbing on rocks (a large boulder for bouldering is out of sight just to the right). I did notice a lot of homeless camps along this path, just to be cautious of.

  After crossing under University and walking up the hill, we played a bit on the playground. We did not take advantage of the spray park on this day as I didn't know we'd be heading there, plus my little guy was just taking his first steps and didn't even realize there was water play (thank goodness!).

Entering the playground from the hillside, looking onto the water play area (a large flower spraying water is the centerpiece), two separate climbers.

What a fun play area for little ones! There was freestanding house area with small tunnel and things to manipulate, swings, a sand box, bouncy ride-on toys, and a nice and short climber with three small slides. 

Bathrooms onsite. 

Amazing views!