"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood." –Mr. Rogers
We are lucky to have so many great playgrounds and parks in Douglas County and surrounding areas to explore. From swings and slides to climbing walls and water features, our parks and playgrounds keep my kids active and are a great place to meet old friends — and make new ones!
Following is a list of some of our favorite parks in Douglas County, as well as a few outside our local area that we like to visit at least once a year. Several have splash pads, making them the perfect destination for summer's hottest days! Locations are listed alphabetically.
Want to find out about more Douglas County parks and playgrounds? Visit the Parks and Playgrounds section of our Business Directory!
Belleview Park
5001 S. Inca, Englewood
What we love about Belleview Park: Located next to Pirates Cove, it's known for the Englewood Farm & Train (both are $2.50 per person and open daily throughout the summer). It also has two playgrounds with a covered picnic area, plenty of room to run around, and a shallow creek filled with wading children. You'll want two pairs of shoes for each person when you visit this park: closed-toe shoes for the farm and water shoes for wading.
Amenities: Park shelters, picnic area, playground, restrooms, basketball court, ball field, tennis courts, stream, and trails.
Butterfield Crossing Park
3952 W. Butterfield Crossing Dr., Castle Rock
What we love about Butterfield Crossing Park: The playground at Butterfield Crossing Park was recently renovated to be fully inclusive so that all ages and abilities can play together (see all the inclusive features at Possibilities Playground). I visited last summer with my extended family, and everyone had a wonderful time, from my 1-year-old niece to my 73-year-old stepdad (who uses a walker/wheelchair combo). Several family-friendly events take place here each summer, including Music in the Meadows and Tri the Rock Youth Triathlon.
Amenities: Basketball courts, baseball diamonds, multipurpose fields, pickleball and tennis courts, drinking fountain, picnic tables, fully inclusive playground, ADA restroom, and reservable pavilion.
Centennial Center Park
13133 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial
What we love about Centennial Center Park: There are several playgrounds for children of all ages, educational and historical information about the state of Colorado, a large grassy field, two covered picnicking areas, and a massive splash pad. Since the park opened, it has been one of the most popular in the area, and the different levels can make it a little hard to keep track of more than one child. Just play together and stay together, and you will have a great time!
Amenities: Amphitheater, barbeque grills, bike paths and racks, covered shelter, gas fireplace, picnic tables, playground, splash pad, restrooms, and walking trails.
Civic Green Park
9370 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
What we love about Civic Green Park: There are tons of family-friendly events all year round, from festivals to the annual ice cream social to cultural performances. The park has a wonderful playground, a small manufactured creek running next to it, fountains for splashing in to stay cool, and a stage. It's located next to the James H. LaRue Library (a great escape if it gets too hot or starts to rain but you aren't ready to go home) and very near the Highlands Ranch Town Center, so you've got lots of options for food.
Amenities: BBQ grills, drinking fountains, picnic tables, playground, restrooms, shelter/pavilion, and water features.
Clement Park
7306 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton
What we love about Clement Park: Clement Park hosts a variety of events, including the Unicorn 5K & Festival in June, a huge Independence Day celebration on July 3, free summer concerts, and more. This park has something for everyone — three playgrounds, a skate park, tennis courts, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, trails, and a 60-acre lake with a stroller-friendly walking path around it. And if an afternoon shower comes in, the library is adjacent to the parking lot.
Amenities: Batting cages, concession stand, Grant Amphitheater, horseshoe pits, inclusive playground, lake, lighted trails, multi-use fields, picnic shelters, restrooms, sandpit volleyball courts, skate park, smaller play structure, softball fields, splash park, splash park shelters (reservations are required), tennis courts.
Deputy Zack S. Parrish III Memorial Park
2020 Fiddle Rd., Castle Rock
What we love about Deputy Zack S. Parrish III Memorial Park: This park is enormous (covering 5.5 acres). With a 3-story enclosed play structure, zipline, multiple climbing structures, a percussion area, and a younger child's play structure, you can spend hours without getting bored. The 3-story playground is big enough for even those young at heart.
Amenities: ADA-accessible, bocce ball courts, cornhole boards, multi-use court, paved trails, pavilion, pickleball courts, two playgrounds, portable restroom, synthetic turf area, and paved trails.
Elk Ridge Park
7005 Mira Vista Ln., Castle Pines
What we love about Elk Ridge Park: 360-degree views of the plains and foothills, an educational scavenger hunt, a large playground with a two-story slide, and a fun splash pad. Even though it's in the midst of the "burbs," the park has a wonderfully natural setting and feel.
Amenities: Maze, pavilion, playground, portable restrooms, rock climbing area, scavenger hunt, splash pad, turf field.
Hudson Gardens
6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
What we love about Hudson Gardens: Well-known for its summer concert series. Its regional display gardens — including the Plant Zoo with Porcupine Grass, Ostrich Fern, and other "animals" — showcase plant life that grows well in the Rocky Mountain Region. Two of our favorite features are the miniature Garden Railroad (for viewing, not riding) and the Water Gardens with giant lily pads and scores of tiny frogs. Borrow a Family Explorer Pack and wear comfortable walking shoes.
BONUS: Hudson Gardens offers FREE admission; donations are gratefully accepted.
Amenities: Visitor Center, restrooms, and 30 acres of trails and gardens.
LuBird's Light Playground
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
What we love about LuBird's Light: This state-of-the-art inclusive playground is so much fun for children and parents of all capabilities. It's vibrantly colored and includes all types of accessible swings, slides, and spinners. They have also included sensory play equipment and smooth, barrier-free surfacing.
Amenities: ADA-accessible and stroller-friendly, picnic tables, bike racks, restrooms, and food options inside Stanley Marketplace.
Marjorie Park
Greenwood Plaza Blvd. and E. Caley Ave., Greenwood Village
What we love about Marjorie Park: Marjorie Park isn't very big and doesn't even have a playground or a splash pad. So why is it on our list of favorite parks? Because it has incredible, gorgeous, life-size sculptures of the characters from Alice in Wonderland, including a huge one of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Enter from the parking lot and follow the path to see the White Rabbit, the Caterpillar, and others presented in the same order Alice met them. Make your visit extra special by bringing cupcakes with "Eat Me" labels, or use cookie cutters to make bread-and-butterflies.
NOTE: Marjorie Park is only accessible by appointment and during special events and tours.
Amenities: Paved walking trails, restrooms, benches.
O'Brien Park
10795 Victorian Dr., Parker
What we love about O'Brien Park: The recently renovated O'Brien Park is on 10.7 acres in the heart of Downtown Parker. It has four distinct play areas with universally accessible playground equipment and surfacing, a new climbing wall and hillside play area, musical instruments, and a paved pathway that encircles the playground. The path leads out to Keiffer's Crossing, an underground tunnel. Leading up to the tunnel is a gorgeous mural named Time Stones, depicting the city over the years, and inside the tunnel, you'll find numerous rotating murals by local artists.
Amenities: Lighted softball field, basketball court, two playgrounds, ADA-accessible play structure, public restrooms, drinking fountain with bottle filler, pavilions with electricity, and gazebo.
Philip S. Miller Park
1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
What we love about Philip S. Miller Park: This 300-acre park has something for EVERYONE: great hiking trails, a large playground, the Challenge Hill outdoor staircase, and more. We can (and have) spent an entire day at this park. If the weather turns sour or gets too hot, head inside to the Miller Activity Complex (the MAC) to jump on the trampolines or swim indoors.
Amenities: Outdoor amphitheater, Miller Activity Complex, Challenge Hill outdoor staircase, adventure playground, interconnected trail network, synthetic turf field, concrete pathways, picnic pavilions, restrooms, splash pad, and plaza area with outdoor fireplace.
Red Rocks
18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison
What we love about Red Rocks: Red Rocks is famous worldwide for the Amphitheatre, the only natural geologically formed open-air theater in existence. The beautiful setting, various trails with breathtaking views, and impressive sandstone monoliths make it an extraordinary place to spend the day. The Visitor Center has a variety of educational exhibits and pamphlets on nearly every tourist destination in Colorado.
Amenities: Hiking trails, amphitheater, restrooms, breastfeeding area, Visitor Center.
Redstone Park
3280 Redstone Park Cir., Highlands Ranch
What we love about Redstone Park: Redstone Park has a skate park (fun for skating or just watching), baseball fields, tennis courts, covered picnic tables, and a fun playground with a sand table.
Amenities at Redstone Park: Batting cages, BBQ grills, dog park, drinking fountains, picnic tables, playground, restrooms, sand play area, shelter/pavilion, skate park, sports fields, and tennis courts.
Roxborough State Park
4751 E. Roxborough Dr., Littleton
What we love about Roxborough State Park: Roxborough is filled with spectacular red-rock formations that are just as beautiful in the winter as in the summer. It has an educational Visitor Center, kid-friendly hiking trails, and Junior Ranger programs year-round (reservations required). Friends of Roxborough sponsor events and programs for all ages, including moonlight hikes and summer concerts.
NOTE: As a State Park, you must have an annual or daily Parks Pass to enter.
Amenities: Amphitheater, hiking trails, Visitor Center, restrooms.
Salisbury Park
11920 Motsenbocker Rd., Parker
What we love about Salisbury Park: In addition to the baseball fields and equestrian complex, there are two playgrounds, one of which is ADA-accessible, with a multi-purpose field and access to the Cherry Creek Trail.
Amenities: Batting cages, BBQ grills, horseshoe pits, multi-purpose fields, pavilions, playgrounds, restrooms, and a water fountain.
Westlands Park
5701 S. Quebec St., Greenwood Village
What we love about Westlands Park: A hidden gem. It has a huge playground area, a two-story treehouse, a giant sculpture of two hands holding a rock (and usually several kids perched atop it), a manufactured lake, an inline hockey rink, paved and unpaved walking paths, and a splash pad. The playground area has very little shade, but it also has the best-maintained bathrooms of all the parks we visited.
Amenities: Playgrounds, multi-use playing fields, musical instruments, interactive water feature, pond, hike/bike trail, charcoal grills, restrooms, pickleball courts, and basketball court.
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