Today’s Life in Denver series: Tour of Sloan’s Lake Park takes us to Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver’s Sloan’s Lake neighborhood. What’s to love about Sloan’s Lake? For starters, it’s the second-biggest urban park in the Denver area, but will make you feel like you’re in the middle of nature!

Here’s what we love about Sloan’s Lake Park:

1. Firstly, the lake origin myth, aka “Sloan’s Leak”, and history. It’s commonly held (but never proven) that the lake was born overnight in 1861. Thomas Sloan, a farmer in NW Denver, is said to have tapped into an aquifer while digging a well to irrigate his land. Overnight, water seeped up and, according to the story, he arrived in the morning to discover an entire lake on his land. Apparently, he made quite a good living from the resulting icehouse and recreation activities on the lake. Fun fact: Denver’s first amusement park, Manhattan Beach, opened its gates on the north side of the lake in 1891.

2. It’s still one of our favorite recreation destinations, today! One of Denver’s best-known festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival, takes place on the lake every July. While there’s a focus on Asian culture and food, it is unlimited in enthusiastic participation, as it draws thousands of visitors and participants each year.

3. There are lots of lake-centric activities: two playgrounds for kids, the walking/running path around the lake perimeter is a 2.5-mile trail, boating (motorized and non-motorized) and water skiing is allowed from April to November, fishing is allowed in most areas, and there are plenty of grills, picnic tables, and truly CLEAN bathrooms. It’s no wonder why this park is a huge draw, all times of the year.

Not able to get into the mountains or just need an outdoor place to feel nature?  Come on over to Sloan’s Lake Park to get outside and play!

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