Denver Parks & Recreation | April 1, 2025

Did you know Bison used to roam the land now known as City Park?

Lately, we've been asking ourselves: how do we combine wildlife conservation initiatives with innovative nature play areas into undiscovered frontiers? Well, we found the answer in our mountain parks. Bring our bison herds back to urban parks - starting with City Park! Talk about taking nature play to a whole new level! ✨

Get ready for an immersive experience like nothing else that will connect you to a magical time of roaming creatures. Stay tuned for a new Learn to Ride a Bison class hosted by our Alternative Sports instructors. We anticipate classes will fill up quickly!

Not only is this educational, but the Bison will also help with vegetation and serve as natural protectors. What could possibly go wrong?

A True Bison Story 💯

Last month, we celebrated the fifth bison donation to indigenous groups. The bison were donated to the Wozu, the Kiowa Tribe and the InterTribal Buffalo Council. Since 2021, the City and County of Denver has donated surplus bison to American Indian Tribes and nonprofit organizations to return wild bison to their native homes. So far, 140 bison have been donated to 10 tribes and tribal organizations. This initiative remains a key pillar of DPR’s wildlife conservation efforts while honoring the cultural significance of these amazing animals.

On Your Left! 🚲

Denver's trail system is expansive. Nicole McSpirit and Adam Lind teach Stephanie about Denver's one-of-a-kind trail system and what it means be a trail user and advocate in our city. Denver Playcast: A Parks, Recreation & Trail Mix is our monthly guide to everything that makes Denver’s parks and recreation system one of a kind.

We 💚 Trees

Arbor Day at City Park

Sat. April 19 | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

@ City Park

Celebrate Arbor Day with DPR! Thank you to the volunteers who have signed up to plant trees at City Park. The volunteering positions may be filled, but you can still join us to learn more about trees. Alongside our partners, we will be hosting educational opportunities and vendors who will provide resources for supporting the urban canopy in Denver.

Stewardship on Arbor Day 🌲

Sat. April 19 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

@ Hentzell Park

Come learn about this amazing natural resource, the wildlife, and ways that you can make a positive impact on the land! Tasks may include removal of: trash, woody debris, invasive weeds.

Apply for a Free Tree 🌳

Do you have room for a new tree? Being A Smart Ash means planting new trees to help grow and expand Denver’s beloved urban canopy. We want you to help plant a tree! You may be eligible to have a FREE tree planted for you!

Volunteer on Earth Day 🌎

Tues. April 22 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

@ West-Bar-Val-Wood

Volunteers will pickup debris at West-Bar-Val-Wood Park. Your efforts will help ensure that West-Bar-Val-Wood Park remains beautiful and well maintained.

Join the Challenge 🔎

Denver joins more than 600 cities for the City Nature Challenge! From April 25-28, 2025, you can support community science by joining iNaturalist* to document nature observations or participate in a BioBlitz event hosted by DPR and the High Line Canal Conservancy:

City Nature Challenge Bioblitz

Sat. April 26 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

James A. Bible Park, 6802 E. Yale Ave

*Find video tutorials on how to log observations on iNaturalist

Join the Groundbreaking of the Season 👷

Sat. April 12 | 9:30 - 11:00 AM

@ Corner of Morrison Road and Walsh Pl (4320 Morrison Road)

We are thrilled to break ground on the Westwood neighborhood's first-ever recreation center! Along with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, District 3 Councilwoman Torres, and incredible community partners like you, we'll celebrate a healthier future for Westwood! Learn more at denvergov.org/westwoodrec.

Volunteers Needed!!

Register to volunteer for Miracle League Denver at Valverde Park in cooperation with Adaptive Recreation Department. Learn more and register.

Empty Bowls Denver

Join a "throw-a-thon" to create unique works of art! The art pieces will be donated to DPR's Empty Bowls Benefit on September 3 at City Park Pavilion. Participants must know how to throw or hand-build a soup-sized bowl.

Denver Park Lover ⭐

Don't worry... we won't be riding any Bison here at DPR. What is the most adventurous thing you have done in Denver Parks or Denver Mountain Parks? Tell us the story.

Thank you for guessing the location of the lodge in one of our mountain parks. This particular lodge is located in Dedisse Park! Shoutout to our lucky winners.

Happy April Fools Day!

Apr. 3 | Clear Creek Trail Community Meeting

Apr. 12 | Westwood Recreation Center Groundbreaking Event

Apr. 23 | City Park Informational Meeting

Apr. 29 | Cheesman Park Improvements: Virtual Public Meeting

2025 Vibrant

Denver Bond 🤑

City staff will engage communities in every neighborhood to help create and refine the list of projects to be funded by this bond program. Join community conversations and submit feedback via a short survey closing on April 17.

YOUth Belong at

Future Fest 🌞

Sat. April 26

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

@ Civic Center Park

This citywide event is focused on empowering youth, connecting passions to careers and creating a more inclusive future for all. #SeeYourselfHere

#FutureFest2025

Bison Pies for

Gardens 💩

Sat. April 26

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

@ Genesee Park South Bison Enclosure

Join the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation to collect your own bison manure for your garden. Take out for personal use only (bring a shovel, bucket, and gloves).

Love this newsletter? Share it with your favorite Bison lover!