Mission Statement
Parks
The City of Denver provides over 200 city and mountain parks, and several more rivers and trail areas for the enjoyment of residents and visitors year round. Some of the parks also host major public events during the year such as, Cinco de Mayo, jazz concerts and more.
From hikers, to volleyball players, to picnickers, bike riders and even the family dog, Denver’s parks serve our diverse citizens and neighborhoods with trees, flowers, trails, ponds or lakes, picnic areas, play grounds, activities and a variety of attractions and events. The mountain parks offer pleasant retreats into nature and history, and an opportunity to explore the edges of wilderness. Our parks are also the sites of monuments and fountains, public art, historical artifacts and architectural treasures put in place to commemorate great people and important times in history.
The parks are also highly valued by citizens for their accessibility and environmental sustainability. Special programs involving the public and civic leaders helps to ensure responsible usage, conservation, management of concessions and more. Our programs include activities for volunteers and assistance with trees citywide (Forestry).
Urban Parks
- Over 250 urban parks and parkways, equaling over 4,300 acres of green space
- Over 285 athletic fields permitted for activities such as sand volleyball, soccer, football, tennis, baseball, softball, and rugby
- 4 skateparks and one urban terrain park offer skateboarding or snowboarding
Mountain Parks
Over 14,000 acres of mountain parks including:
Natural Areas/Open Space
- Over 1,700 acres of urban native areas including a weed-eating goat herd
Lakes and Trails
- 24 lakes that offer fishing and some boating activities, including paddle boat rentals at two lakes & along Cherry Creek
- Over 85 miles of multi-purpose urban trails
Recreation
Thirty recreation centers offer affordable facilities, programs and activities to residents and visitors year-round.
Over 1,000 organized classes and activities are going on at any given time and offer aquatics, arts & crafts, cultural & social activities, fitness & sports, health, special events & tours and more. The schedule is organized for children, youth, adults, seniors, and special needs groups for maximum enjoyment. Participants may enroll in classes or use facilities on a day basis or by buying a membership.
The recreation centers are also an ideal place to find out about city or neighborhood-sponsored special events and the City Wide Sports program that offers competition to Youth and Adults. Facilities at recreation centers include multi-purpose rooms, exercise rooms, weight-rooms, dance spaces, pools, basketball/tennis courts, playgrounds, athletic fields, running track and more. The facilities are also available for rental.
Recreation Facility Facts
- 26 recreation centers offering programs in cultural arts, sports & fitness, social enrichment, outdoor education, and events for youth and adults of all ages
- 16 outdoor pools and 12 indoor pools, including children's spraygrounds, lap and therapy pools
- 27 after school sites with programs and facilities for school-age kids
- 7 public golf facilities with one 27-hole regulation course, six 18-hole regulation courses
Sports
The thrill and challenge of being in competition and having fun is the central purpose of Denver’s seasonal sports programs.
Over 150 classes and recreation-center-based competitions are offered in addition to the City Wide Sports program, where adults or youth can compete in more than ten sports. The combination of sports, classes, organized leagues and age groups provide great opportunities for everyone. There are so many sports activities, the demand for coaches and officials is high! Training and certification for officials are available too.
- 961 youth and adult sports teams in leagues
- 285 athletic fields
Golf
Seven public golf courses offer many exciting programs, in addition to driving ranges and club houses that make your golfing experience mile-high-marvelous!
Lessons, leagues, tournaments, club-building and repair, a year-round juniors program (First Tee of Denver) and a caddie program can interest beginners and experienced players alike in Denver’s varied and accessible courses. The best way to start is to visit one of our courses to see the facilities and sign up for a program.
All seven courses are officially open from daylight until dark all year (weather permitting) except Christmas Day. Reservations can be made online or over the telephone one day in advance. With a reservation card you can buy for $10 at the City Park, Wellshire or Willis Case golf courses - you can make reservations seven days in advance at those courses, if you are a city resident (five days if a non-resident).
Permits
Denver Parks and Recreation has many types of facilities and space available for individuals or organizations to reserve for their use. From softball fields, to picnic areas, to major event or meeting areas – a permit is required anytime someone wants exclusive use of a specific facility or park area for a specific date and time.
-
Permits are also required for vending in and Denvery Parks and Recreation Department-run park or facility.
-
Boating permits are required to laungh and use boats on Denver's boating-designated lakes.
-
Four major park-based facilities are also available for rental for meetings or special events. For information on these rental facilities, use the Rental Facilities menu above.
Customer Service
The Denver Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to providing pleasant and exciting programs and facilities to its residents and visitors, and dedicated to preserving and enhancing the historic architecture, boulevards and landscapes that define Denver as a world class city. As a resident or visitor, you are not only our customer -- you are also part of our ‘team’. When you want to use our services, or have concerns about our quality of service, or desire to help us plan for the future – we want to have the most effective interaction with you possible. We have designed our programs and trained our employees with you in mind. If you need immediate assistance, dial 3-1-1 and ask for assistance with the specific Parks and Recreation area (such as, parks, classes, maintenance, etc.).