City Park
City Park is Denver's largest urban park. At more than 300 acres, it offers a variety of amenities including tennis courts and athletic fields, a network of paths, an event venue, and cultural institutions such as the Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
City Park is called a regional park because its campus has the Denver Zoo (1896), the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (1900) and City Park Golf Course (1913).
History
In 1881 Mayor Richard Sopris urged City Council to think of Colfax Avenue as a parkway linking Sloan Lake in West Denver with City Park in East Denver. City Council reduced the acquisition of land east of Denver to 320 acres, and eliminated the Sloan’s Lake parcel. On February 18, 1882, Council ratified the park land purchase.
The lakes in City Park were manufactured and are not natural. Ferril Lake was formed in 1896; Duck Lake in 1891; and Little Lake in 1891. Ferril Lake is named after Thomas Hornsby Ferril (1896-1988), a poet who lived near City Park. He was a journalist who specialized in corporate public relations. He studied and wrote poetry, and was named Colorado Poet Laureate in 1979.
Just before the 1908 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Mayor Robert Speer pushed to build a fountain in the lake in City Park to fascinate onlookers. Prismatic Fountain in City Park sprayed a rainbow of colors to the tunes of the Denver Municipal Band in 1908.
Things to Do
The Denver Zoo Conservation Allianc is an 80-acre zoological garden located in Denver’s City Park, close to downtown Denver. Founded in 1896, the zoo is owned by the City and County of Denver and is home to approximately 3,000 animals and over 500 different species. This includes large exhibits for bears, primates, felines, elephants, and reptiles. It also includes a carousel and railroad for kids, an animal hospital, and an amphitheater. The zoo also hosts special seasonal events, including “Boo at the Zoo” for Halloween and “Zoo Lights” for the holiday season.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) has been a part of City Park almost from the park’s beginning. Still sitting in its birthplace on the eastern edge of the park, DMNS has grown with Denver and modern technology. From early collections of minerals and fauna to the Mars Rover exhibit, the museum has provided education and entertainment to millions of citizens and visitors. Up next is an expansion of educational activities into the outdoors. The museum has plans for an underutilized area of the park for an installation called “Nature Play”.
City Park is filled with wildlife including many species of birds. If you see a lot of people looking up and pointing, they are pointing at some majestic birds, including white pelicans, eagles, double-crested cormorants, and geese.
Recreation
- The Mile High Loop is a great way to explore Denver’s City Park.
- There are fourteen tennis courts available for play year round.
- Wheel Fun Rentals offers a variety of ways to experience Ferril Lake and tour the park, including peddle boats and specialty bicycles.
City Park Alliance
As a steward of City Park, City Park Alliance promotes park use and supports park improvements for sustainable community enjoyment.
All donations to City Park Alliance are used directly toward projects in City Park, and every effort is made to leverage your donations with other partners to maximize the impact of your contribution.
For more information on how to visit City Park, visit Denver Parks and Recreation.