Today’s Life in Denver takes us on a walking tour of our city’s pride and joy, City Park.  As Denver’s premier park, City Park contains the Denver Zoo; the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and IMAX; tennis courts; horseshoes; baseball, football and soccer fields; two lakes; historical monuments and statuary; picnic sites and two playgrounds.  It’s also home to the City Park Jazz, a monthly celebration of community in the summer.

Here’s what we love about a leisurely stroll through City Park:

1. The City Park Pavillion is stunning.  Part of the “City Beautiful” campaign at the beginning of the 20th century, the Pavilion was designed by John Humphreys and William Fisher, and completed in 1882. The original structure was replaced in 1929 and refurbished in 1992. Surrounded by the picturesque Sopris garden, Ferril Lake, and the historic City Park Bandshell, the Pavilion offers a variety of breathtaking views and photo opportunities. This elegant Spanish-style landmark features towers and arches and is nestled in front of the awe-inspiring Denver skyline. The City Park Pavilion is the signature Denver venue and is on the US National Register of Historic Places and Colorado State Register of Historic properties.

2. Martin Luther King, Jr. is memorialized in City Park, along with other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement including Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth, and is a place for reflection for Denver residents. Surrounding the central statue are standing tablets upon which are engraved timelines in civil rights history in America and quotes from King’s speeches. Each tablet creates a small alcove for smaller statues representing phases in American black history. All of the details can be found in this article.

3. Exploring the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (and IMAX) is another one of our favorite past times.  The Denver Zoo is an 80-acre facility founded in 1896 and is owned by the City and County of Denver and funded in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. It is the most popular paid attraction in the Denver metropolitan area and we can see why.  The Denver Museum of Nature & Science offers a variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities that help museum visitors learn about the natural history of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. The 716,000-square-foot building houses more than one million objects in its collections including natural history and anthropological materials, as well as archival and library resources.  Both are Denver gems that we’re especially proud of.

Contained within the boundaries of the 330 acre park, there are hours of exploration, recreation, and relaxation to be had.  City Park is a true reflection of the “City Beautiful” movement that was started during the time of the 1893 World’s Fair. When you have a free afternoon, come spend it in City Park and let it all soak in.

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