With literally 1000s of acres of urban parkland in our fair city, you could easily never venture beyond your own neighborhood green spaces and be completely content. And sure you could stick to the standard Wash Park, City Park, Cheesman, or Sloan’s Lake, but you would also be missing out on a delightful little slice of pie known as Crown Hill Park. It’s a 242-acre urban oasis operated by the Jefferson County Open Space that feels more rural than urban and has elements of being both quaint and grand. With its Front Range views and reflective waters, this pristine park and nature preserve provides a bounty of leisure and recreational activities, and it just may be the most beautiful place in Denver!
Crown Hill Park is a serene open space and nature preserve between Wheat Ridge and Lakewood that was once dotted with small farming communities (or more accurately: gold-rushers-turned-sod-busters).
There are miles of paved and unpaved trails looping and winding throughout the park that afford unmatched views of the Front Range, all the way to the Flatirons of Boulder.
There's a 2-mile Perimeter Trail around the edge of the park, a 1.2-mile loop around the lake, and a short Nature Preserve Trail that is hiker-only with no dogs allowed.
There are also several other natural-surface trails and foot paths that weave throughout the space, if you're seeking extra mileage or a bit of solitude.
There are two natural bodies of water at the park, including Crown Hill Lake, which is known for its superb sunsets. Its water flows from Clear Creek via the Crown Hill Agricultural Ditch and ultimately seeps into Kestrel Pond. (Kestrel Pond is certified as a National Urban Wildlife Refuge, as it is vitally important to nesting and migratory waterfowl).
There are plenty of opportunities to see birds and other wildlife at Crown Hill Park, namely squirrels, rabbits, deer, and even coyotes, especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active.
No matter where you are in the park, you'll catch glimpses of the intriguing historic Tower of Memories, the 158-foot mausoleum at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery. The construction of this uniquely stunning seven story building began in 1926 and was completed in 1948. It's now considered a Denver landmark and is certainly nothing short of eye-catching.
There are also amenities on site, such as restrooms and picnic shelters where you can refuel, hang out with family and friends, and enjoy a reprieve from that Mile High sunshine. (If you so desire).
A warm wool blanket, a crisp cool morning, a hot cup of tea, and a gently used book is all you need. (But until then, a picnic basket with summer sundries and some ice cold lemonade will suffice).
