Palmer Park in Colorado Springs

Palmer Park, Colorado Springs

(Phil Long/Pat Bowlen Community Playground)

Palmer Park has a new feel but an old-fashioned look. Constructed in 1997, all the play equipment is built with sturdy wood beams and colorful painted steel. The signature rainbow monkey bar rainbow and teeter-totter set this park apart. Palmer is also known for its 25 plus miles of hiking trails and a mountain biking mecca. Hiking maps are available on the Springs website.

Location:

• North Academy Boulevard borders Palmer Park to the east. The play area sits at the northwest corner of Academy and Maizeland (reachable from Circle). It's very near the Carefree Shopping Center and Penrose Community Hospital - in between Austin Bluffs to the north and The Citadel to the south. [Address: 3650 Maizeland, Colorado Springs] MAP to Palmer Park
  

Highlights:

• Lots of comfortable places to watch the action with eight park benches, tree planters and two covered picnic tables right on the play area
• Myriad monkey bars, tall slides (one tunnel and two side-by-side slick metal slides), zip tracks, see-saw/teeter-totter, two balance beams, big kid and baby swings, plus a sandbox

Be Aware:

• Metal slides may be too hot in the summer, but there are alternatives
• Some of the play equipment is very tall, which poses a risk for young children tempted to climb

Checklist:

• Plenty of free parking available by taking an immediate right after entering the park. Prior to reaching the play area, there is a long strip of about 20 spots. Two much larger lots are past the playground.
• Bark play surface and sand under the swings
• The restroom building, complete with drinking fountain is only a short walk from the playground and adjacent to the first parking area. It's a bit rustic with only one stall, but very clean.
• Three large planters provide seating under shade trees. Shorter trees form a wall along the west side of the playground to protect agains afternoon sun.
• Two covered picnic tables. The larger Palmer Park Meadows Pavilion is by reservation only.
• Dogs allowed, but must remain on-leash in all city parks. However, a short walk past the nearby baseball diamonds, you'll find a fenced in dog park where your pet can roam unleashed.