Wash Park: great for tennis, jogging - or doing nothing in style
Published: May 15, 2009
Although these 165 acres of trees, grass and small lakes where waterfowl congregate in noisy flocks were named after our first president, everyone just calls it Wash Park. Located in south central Denver between Downing and Franklin streets, it's one of the largest parks in the city.
The park is almost never empty. Even on the coldest days of winter, at least a few hardy souls will brave the cold and walk their nearly three-mile laps around the park.
It's in the spring and summer, though, on into autumn, that Wash Park really comes into its own. On a nice weekend day, the street around the park comes to feel more like a track, with one lane full of strollers, fast walkers and joggers, while, next to them, streams of bicyclists whiz by.
Those wanting other activities will find the tennis courts on the park's southern edge. There's a lawn bowling/croquet field, as well, and two playgrounds. Volleyball lovers can put up a net just about anywhere. If you can bear to go inside, you can work out at the recreation center or the indoor pool. And Smith Lake has a boathouse you can rent for various events.
Out on all those acres of grass, of course, people are busy doing all the things people do in any park: sitting on the blankets eating a picnic lunch; reading a book; tossing a football; playing frisbee with each other — or with their dogs, who are supposed to be on leashes.
Some take the time to smell all the flowers breaking out in the gardens, one of which is an exact replica of Martha Washington's garden at Mount Vernon. A lot of people do a lot of nothing. Everyone seems to be happy just soaking up some warm Colorado sun — and why not, since Wash Park is one of the happiest places in Denver?
- by David Zindell, Denver Reporter for HelloMetro
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