Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods is the perfect winter playground. Cold weather play can be a challenge in locales hit by winter. Colorado Springs sits below Pikes Peak on the east side of the Rocky Mountains. Snow doesn't stay on the ground for long, but strong and icy winds aren't ideal for outdoor activities. But they are possible in short spurts! MAP to Garden of the Gods

Suggested Activity for Cold or Warm Weather:

The Garden of the Gods Nature Center paired with a short walk among the red monoliths on the Central Garden Trail provide a little relief from the indoor blues. We start with a little exploration of the Visitor Center and maybe a giant hot pretzel and cocoa (or lemonade depending on the season) at the snack bar. Then we head across the street, by car, until the road dead ends. Turn right and wind around to the first main parking lot on your left. Park and walk into the park - as far as the weather allows. Bring your camera and watch for wildlife (often spot bighorn sheep on the rocks to the north of the main parking lot - opposite from the Central Garden. Partway down the path, the kids love to run rings around the circular stone site of the old chuckwagon suppers. From here, let the kids lead you on an exploration of their own.

Checklist:

• Parking is free at the Visitor Center and inside the park
• Paved walkways criss-cross the center of the park
• Bathrooms in the Visitor Center and near the parking lot
• Picnic tables dot the park
• Garden of the Gods official website

Marshall Sprague Park in Colorado Springs

Marshall Sprague Park, Colorado Springs

Marshall Sprague Park in Colorado Springs is one of the more scenic northwest parks with views from high atop Woodmen Valley across to Briargate. There's rarely any competition for play space, since the park is off the beaten path. The sign at the park introduces Marshall Sprague as a writer "best known for his popular history of Colorado Springs, Newport in the Rockies."

Location:

• Very easy to find on Woodmen Road. You can either follow Centennial until it turns into Woodmen (park will be on your left near Blodgett). Or you can take Woodmen Road directly from Rockrimmon until it winds around up the hill to the park. MAP to Marshall Sprague Park
  

Highlights:

• Variety of equipment including stand alone monkey bars, 2 baby swings, and 2 bench swings.
  
• A quiet park with a great views
  
• Lots of wildlife viewing, especially deer
• Fun to walk to the basketball court to get out the wiggles
  

Be Aware:

• NO restrooms
  

Checklist:

• Parking on the street
  
• Sand and recycled rubber play surface
• NO restrooms
• Not much shade
• Easy to view the kids
  

Plan a Play Day with KaBOOM!

Connect With Your Community and Help Save Play!

“Play is the work of children.” - Friedrich Froebel

If play is the work of children, then today’s kids have been laid-off – pink-slipped, like countless adults in this country. In today’s society, children spend 50% less time outside than they did just 20 years ago. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids spend 6.5 hours a day on electronic media. Astonishing, isn’t it? That is A LOT of time spent sitting interacting with a screen.

Afternoons spent playing outdoors are quickly becoming a thing of the past. And that’s not good news – for anybody. Play is linked to physical, mental, and emotional health benefits, as well as educational and learning readiness for children. Yet despite all the evidence on the benefits of and need for play, and the growing epidemic of childhood obesity and other health problems, play continues to lose footing in society.

It’s time for that to change. Let’s bring the cry to, “Go outside and play!” back, and show this generation how fun it can be!

The folks at KaBOOM! can help you celebrate play! Reconnect with your kid-at-heart and join the movement to bring play back to the American landscape and help restore the health of our children. Visit KaBOOM! and plan a Play Day for your community the week of September 19-27th. The Play Space Planner will lead you through a step-by-step process for planning a successful event.

A Play Day can be whatever you like – a Family Field Day, a Frisbee Tournament, a Park Clean-Up Day, or Community-Wide Scavenger Hunt. It can also be an extension of a Play or Mommy Group you may already have planned. No rules, just fun! A time to reconnect with friends and meet new ones – a way to bring the community together in the name of play.

Don’t wait! Join KaBOOM! and other play advocates just like you as we join together to have fun and SAVE PLAY!

Bio: Bethe Almeras writes The Grass Stain Guru, a blog about restoring childhood, and saving ourselves in the process. She is the DIY Online Community/Communications Manager for KaBOOM!

Golden Hills Park in Colorado Springs

Golden Hills Park, Colorado Springs

Located on Del Monico in the Rockrimmon neighborhood, this playground is hardly noticeable from the street. It has a nice covered picnic area and grills.

Location:

• From I-25, exit Rockrimmon Blvd. or Woodmen. Drive towards Pikes Peak and turn onto Del Monico. It's a right turn from Del Monico - parking lot on your right. Or it's a left turn after Woodmen turns into Rockrimmon onto Del Monico and left into the parking lot. MAP to Golden Hills Park in Colorado Springs
  

Highlights:

• Small neighborhood playground with picnic amenities
  
• Kids like the tunnel slide and there's easy viewing from benches surrounding the playground
  
• Small ride on horse, two bench swings, and one baby swing
  

Be Aware:

• Can feel isolated, since it's far from the street and rarely busy
  

Checklist:

• Parking in a small, dedicated lot
  
• Sand play surface
• Restrooms
• Shade from picnic table shelter
  
• Tables and grills
• Walking paths, baseball, basketball court
  

Colorado Springs Parks

Colorado Springs Parks - Where Do You Play?

Colorado Springs parks enjoy incredible views of Pikes Peak and clear mountain air. Fun Colorado Springs Parks aims to be the ultimate playground guide for the area. The site is organized with lists of parks by name and by location. It includes links to government park websites.

If you'd like to recommend your park, all you need to do is fill out this super-quick form. Then I will get photos, create a map marker, and post links. This is a community-generated park guide - so we need your help to make it great!

Thanks for visiting!