Pinon Valley Park in Colorado Springs

Pinon Valley Park, Colorado Springs

Pinon Valley Park is nestled in the neighborhood between Mountain Shadows and Ute Valley Park. I love this park! I spent so much time here meeting some of my best friends at Pinon.

Location:

• Off Centennial, between Garden of the Gods to the south and Vindicator to north. Turn on Mule Deer and park on the street next to the playspace. MAP to Pinon Valley Park
  

Highlights:

• The Jeep/car is the number one attraction here! I've seen some of the BEST imaginative play happen surrounding this simple piece of equipment.
• A great gazebo for parties - and the bark play surface means sometimes it's thawed out before the surrounding grassy area (and there's not much mud).
• Perfect for teaching kids bike riding - take the sidewalk loop around the park
• Kids love the sandbox - be willing to share your sand toys
• The mountain-like climbing steps are popular - but the stools and hideout underneath are equally in demand.
• Both baby and kid swings
• At least on summer concert a year put on by the local HOA

Be Aware:

• Be on the lookout for wildlife from Ute Valley - lots of deer. Posted signs warn of bear and mountain lion (never seen either - but I've definitely seen evidence)
• Storm run-off channel near the playspace. It's fenced - but a hazard for a persistent child. Use your "stay on the playground rule" here.
• Can get extremely windy. If it's a high wind day, you're gonna feel it.
• Sometimes class field trips invade this playspace. Usually at the end of the school year when they hike over from the middle school.
• Team sports some weekends and evenings.

Checklist:

• Parking on the street in a quiet neighborhood
• Bark play surface
• Restrooms are at the opposite end of the park from the playspace
• Two shade trees near playspace
• Nice benches for viewing kids
• Two large picnic tables and gazebo
• Grill available - bring your own charcoal
• Basketball court, volleyball net, and baseball backstop