BY LINDSAY CUTLER
Of the many amenities to life in Wash Park, large lots are not one of them. The upside of postage stamp backyards is the lower maintenance cost and dollars to create and keep up with a beautiful respite. Sometimes, though, you just want to get the heck out of dodge. While it is uncontested that Wash Park itself is quite possibly the most beautiful urban escape in all of Denver, there are other hidden gems throughout the city to bring out the urban explorer or just the Saturday in the Park lounger in all of us.
1. The Highline Canal: 71 miles of trail wind throughout the city, connecting urban, suburban, and natural settings. It’s much less traveled than the Cherry Creek Path and, if you head out early, you may see coyotes, foxes, hawks, and owls. Bike or walk through Fairmount Cemetery where some of Denver’s century old trees stand tall or head south to Cherry Hills and walk with views of the mountains, rolling hills, small ponds, and the orchards and apiary of Kent Denver.
2. Ruby Hill Park: Though not a respite per se, if you have active children or are a fan of the x-games yourself, Ruby Hill is free, local fun. There’s an urban snow terrain park open in January for skiers and boarders of all levels and a year round bike park with beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses. From Striders to double-boingers, all ages, heights, and bikes are welcome.
3. Denver Botanic Gardens: Roll down the big grass hill, peer over the dock to look for koi in the Japanese Garden, feel the smooth bumps of the intricate, sweeping river rock path of the Plantasia garden, study closely the miniature plants in the crevice garden, or learn more about xeriscaping in the Plant Select or Water Wise Garden. You can even strip down to bare feet and step into the water in the Children’s Garden. Breathe deeply and stay awhile in this urban oasis.
4. Domo Japanese Country Foods: Restaurant, Garden, and Museum: Speaking of Japanese Gardens, have you eaten at Domo? The seven course Japanese Country meal served on the patio in their exquisitely designed and maintained gardens transports you out of the city, state, and country.
5. Gravel Ponds at Chatfield: Enter Chatfield State Park and follow the signs to the gravel ponds. If you get there on the early side or, preferably a weekday, snag a spot on one of the sandy beaches, rent a paddleboard, and roll out your picnic blanket. These tranquil ponds offer cool, clear water, non-motorized recreation, and are the perfect place to while away the long, hot hours of summer.
6. Cherry Creek State Park Dog Park: Warning! This place is jam packed on the weekends. Weekdays and early mornings, however, this is a paradise for social dogs. There are acres of open prairie, miles of paths, and a long length of Cherry Creek all fenced in for your dog’s romping pleasure. With the beauty of the state park and the freedom of off leash play, you and your dog will come home calmer.
7. Denver Urban Gardens: Growing vegetables isn’t for everyone. It requires time, space, and sunlight that most of us just don’t have. Volunteer with Denver Urban Gardens at one of their numerous community garden sites throughout Denver. There are drop-in and long term projects that range from garden construction and maintenance to community service. With opportunities for youths and adults, it’s a great way to learn about gardening, experience the therapeutic benefits of gardening and volunteering, and to play in the dirt.
8. The Square on 21st: Denver’s new pop-up park in the concrete maze of downtown, brings in a dog park, bike trails, trees, concerts and vendors to an area where green is an endangered color. Full disclosure – I have not been here so maybe we can all try it together!
Between art, adventure, recreation and relaxation, the spots above run the gamut and yet don’t even scratch the surface of what this town has to offer. We are always out on the streets looking for inspiration and getting to know Denver and its denizens on a deeper level. We’d like to hear some of your favorites, too. Email us at hello@cutlerdesigngroup.com to share your RnR go-tos!