Denver Parks & Recreation | February 2025

Is anyone else in a time warp? It's just February but boy has it been a year already. We've been busy bees from Park Hill to a new podcast launching. The most fun department in Denver is here to give you the good news you've been yearning for!

Podcast Launch 🎙️✨

It’s here! Introducing Denver Playcast – a Parks, Recreation & Trail Mix. From hidden park gems to epic trails and all the fun in between, each episode is packed with stories, events, and tips that make our recreation centers, parks, and open spaces special. It’s like a tasty snack of fun and all the awesome things you love about Denver! Tune in and treat yourself to a fun mix of adventure. Find Denver Playcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

What's the Deal? 🤝

History is being made as Denver Parks and Recreation is set to welcome a new urban park through the city's largest ever single acquisition of private property to become an urban park! The former Park Hill Golf Course will be open to the public by summer 2025 once the city closes on the property. The future of the park has stages for immediate use to a long-term visioning process with community input. To learn more and sign up to receive updates, visit denvergov.org/ParkHill.

There's a New Forester in Town ⭐

Help us welcome Denver’s new City Forester! Luke Killoran will lead our department’s efforts to protect and expand the urban forest. Luke will oversee the progress on the city's goal to prepare for a climate-resilient future by planting 4,500 trees. We are excited to have another leader at DPR who is passionate about the environment, advocacy and education. Learn about Denver's Citywide Goals for 2025.

Denver Youth Voices Matter! 👈

Help us improve the future of MY Denver programs at our recreation centers! This survey is for current and future participating MY Denver families to share what matters most in the programming. Provide your email address to be entered into a random drawing for a prize! 🏆

More Art, More Heart 🖼️

There's never enough art on our trails! This vibrant artwork, between Stout and Colfax, is the creative endeavor of local emerging artists, Sarah Iverson and Conner Choi. The mural serves as a colorful gateway to the pedestrian-only trail and honors the upper downtown area and Colorado. UpDoNA's Arts & Beautification Committee held an informal dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony in December 2024. Funding for this project was from the Dynamic Downtown Denver Grant and Denver Parks & Recreation.

Spring Registration

Registration for spring recreation activities will open on Tuesday, February 25 at noon. Look out for this season's activity guide which will be available on February 11 at denvergov.org.org/recreation.

AOA - Valentine's Potluck and BINGO

When: Wed., February 12, 2025, 12:30 - 3:00 PM

Where: Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center

Active Older Adults are welcome to come out and meet new friends. Bring a dish to share and join us for a Valentine's potluck and BINGO.

Cultural Awareness: Clearing Up Misconceptions About Native Americans 💬

When: Thurs., February 6, 2:00-3:30 PM

Where: Highlands Recreation Center, 2880 Osceola Street, Denver, CO 80212

Delmarie Dull Knife-Bradfield, Northern Cheyenne/Oglala Lakota, grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and is the great-granddaughter of Chief Dull Knife who toured with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West. Del will share her family’s history, resilience, and address misconceptions about Native Americans.

Tim Burton Mystery Series

When: Sat., February. 8, 8:00 - 4:00 PM

Where: Ruby Hill Park, 1200 W Florida Ave, Denver

The Burton Mystery Series is back and heading your way with banked slalom events around the world. Celebrating community and progression for all ages and abilities, the Burton Mystery Series features product giveaways, athlete demos, and BBQ/après hangouts. An open mind is all you need.

Denver Park Surveys

🌟 Southmoor Park Survey #1 | Closes Sunday, March 7

🌟 Montclair Park Survey | Closes Friday, February 21

🌟ESPAÑOL: Encuesta de Montclair Park | Se cierra el 21 de febrero

Reserve a Picnic Site 🍉

When: Wed. February 12, 8:00 a.m.

Where: Parks Permit Office, 6820 E. 12th Ave, Denver, CO 80220

Picnic site reservations for 2025 are opening soon. Find helpful information on denvergov.org/picnics and stop by the Parks Permit Office: Tues. – Thurs. from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Apply for Trees 🌳

Denver Digs Trees is accepting applications! Looking to plant a tree this spring? The Park People's Denver Digs Trees program, Denver's longest standing free and low cost tree planting program, is back for its 42nd year! This year they have 11 species in all different shapes and sizes available to plant at any property with a Denver address. Apply online or call 303.722.6262 or email jess@theparkpeople.org.

Guess the Inspiration Behind the Design ✨

Our new podcast is beaming with creativity. Can you guess which DPR iconic landmark inspired our podcast cover art? Enter your answer for a chance to randomly win a DPR swag bag.

Feb. 5 | Free admission at the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave on the first Wednesday of each month

Feb. 27 | Bethesda Park Community Meeting

Mar. 5 | Southmoor Park Open House #1

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