Commons Park

Used both as a byway for city commuters and a destination in itself, Commons Park is never for lack of activity. It’s cozied up between its two neighbors, City of Cuernavaca Park and Confluence Park, and it offers an excellent if not serene reprieve from the bustling hub of Denver action. You’ll almost always see a frisbee flying through the air and loungers soaking in the warm sun.

For runners and bikers, the trail that unfurls adjacent to Commons Park is choice. Traveling south along the South Platte River brings the Children's Museum of Denver, the Downtown Aquarium, and Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium into view. Moving north yields an interesting look at the new Denver developments and a real-time peek into how this rapidly growing city is accommodating the droves of people moving in.

If you’re planning to bring your dog along, the Railyard Dog Park is situated just to the north of Commons Park. It’s a fenced, off-leash park that accommodates both high-energy and low-energy dogs with separate areas. Although it’s a bit small, shaded areas, benches, and a water fountain add to the value and help accommodate people and pets even on balmy summer days.

Travel a bit further north from the dog park and you’ll stumble upon the Denver Skate Park. It’s well lit at 5 a.m. until the sun rises, then again after dark until 11 p.m. It’s one of the largest skate parks in the country, and it offers sweeping views of Coors Field and the Denver skyline as well as excellent access to nearby brew pubs, restaurants, and the like. Because of its grandeur and location, it draws some extremely talented athletes—it’s definitely worth a stop.

Commons Park has been shrouded in controversy over the past few years as legislation works to accommodate the new marijuana laws that have been pioneered in Colorado. Note that it’s common to see legal recreational cannabis use in public, and Commons Park is a popular place to indulge.