Story by Chris Sekirnjak. Ready for spring? Explore a new park, visit a new playground, and find a new favorite! Start your discovery with this summary of six recently opened public playgrounds, including some freshly built ones that still have that “new playground smell.”
Fittingly, the long history of public parks in Colorado began with Denver’s City Park in 1878, which received a brand new playground just last year. Today, there are hundreds of public playgrounds in the metro area and more open every year.
The six parks shown below are part of my iPhone app “Denver Playgrounds & Parks”, which reviews some 800 metro Denver playgrounds. You will find photos, descriptions, and features of each play area, with updates released frequently.
Come locate a playground near you, no matter what part of town you’re in. Visit the App Store or get details at the project’s website playgroundsdenver.com.
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park / Chris Sekirnjak photo
This playground near the foothills was completely rebuilt in 2020 to more than double its previous size.
It shines with happy colors and fun features such as a play house, balance beam, and a net bucket swing.
A unique super-wide slide allows 2 or 3 kids to zoom down simultaneously!
Location: 5222 Quaker St, Golden
Berry Park
Berry Park / Chris Sekirnjak photo
While not exactly large, the play area at Littleton’s Berry Park features a bunch of interesting play equipment.
There’s a four-person seesaw, a horizontal roller slide, and a small cage spinner resembling a Christmas tree.
You will also find some electronic games (mostly memory skills, think “Simon”) and a play house. The playground opened in 2022.
Location: W Berry Ave & S Knox Ct, Littleton
James A. Bible Park
Bible Park / Chris Sekirnjak photo
This park on the High Line canal trail received a huge upgrade in 2021, catapulting this playground to one of the best in Denver.
Tall climbing towers connected by a tunnel, fancy climbing nets and boulders, and a zero-step merry-go-round are some of the highlights.
There is also a hanging seesaw (super fun!), spinners, and a large astroturf hill. Eight swings are scattered throughout.
Location: 6802 E Yale Ave, Denver
City Park Denver
City Park Denver / Chris Sekirnjak photo
In 2021, the aging Dustin Redd Playground in Denver’s largest park was replaced.
The new play area honors the original design with its castle theme and purple steeples, but offers a truly modern play experience.
You’ll find plenty of swings (including a wheelchair swing), unique climbing structures, a zero-step merry-go-round, an assortment of spinners, and a wavy walkway for scooters.
Location: York St & 21st Ave, Denver
Swansea Park
Swansea Park / Chris Sekirnjak photo
This playground truly offers something for kids of all ages. Little ones will love the area around the playhouse, while older kids will gravitate towards the zip line.
The colors teal and orange dominate the play area, even on the artificial turf hill.
You’ll also find a 2-person swing, a variety of climbing structures, and a vertical log maze.
Location: 2650 E Beekman Pl, Denver
Lu Bird’s Light Playground
Lu Bird’s Light Playground / Chris Sekirnjak photo
Built by the Lu Bird’s Light Foundation, this inclusive playground at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora offers a variety of accessible features, from a zero-step merry-go-round to a wheelchair swing.
It also features the longest roller slide in town, a mini trampoline, and a wooden play house.
Location: 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Guest contributor Chris Sekirnjak lives in Wheat Ridge with his wife and two children. Now out of print, his guide books Denver Playgrounds & Parks and Run, Stroll, Hike were both adapted to mobile apps, which he updates regularly.
Looking for more playground fun?
Check out Chris’ story on the best 10 public playgrounds in the Denver area.
Chris – Thanks for your work on your apps! They are a great resource for my family to find playgrounds that are accessible for my daughter with physical disabilities. I also love seeing that most of these updated playgrounds have the rubber surface that is actually accessible when using a wheelchair or stroller, rather than the wood chips or sand/gravel.