Welcome to a world beyond Cheesman, City Park, and Wash Park! While these iconic spots are fantastic, Denver boasts over 200 other hidden gems waiting to be explored. If you find your usual spots a bit too crowded, why not venture into the lesser-known green spaces scattered throughout the Mile High City? 303 Magazine has scoured the city to bring you a curated list of secret parks in Denver and its surrounding areas that are just waiting to be discovered. Your very own hidden oasis could be right in your backyard – so why not embark on a journey of exploration and uncover the beauty that Denver’s lesser-known parks have to offer?

Observatory Park

Where: 2100 S. Fillmore St., Denver

The Lowdown: Denver University students have probably heard of this one, but if you live or work near this gorgeous campus, you must check out Observatory Park. This little oasis hidden in a nice woodsy neighborhood offers some great reading spots underneath the trees. The park is named for the Chamberlin Observatory, DU’s very own astronomy tower that’s located in it. You can watch the stars or a full moon here and you don’t have to be an astronomy student. Check the Observatory’s schedule here to see available times.

Belleview Park

Where: 5001 S. Inca Dr., Englewood

The Lowdown: If you don’t spend a lot of time in Englewood, maybe you should because Belleview Park has everything. More like a small amusement park than simple city green space, Belleview’s got a miniature train you can ride at $2 per person (children two and under are free), a farm where you can pet animals and a water park called Pirates Cove. If that sounds all sounds like it’s for kids, then you might just prefer the bike paths and the creek. And if it doesn’t, well you better catch that train. For more info on attractions, please click here.

Olympic Park

Where: 15501 E. Yale Ave., Aurora

The Lowdown: If you love sports, this park in Aurora has all the amenities. Featuring volleyball courts, baseball diamonds and soccer fields, Olympic Park is for athletes to train or anyone looking for a pick-up game. Inside the park, you can also find another park called Wheel Park, a facility that includes a skateboarding bowl, roller-hockey rink and BMX bike track. This park is like its own recreation center.

Zuni and 51^st Park

Where: 5050 Zuni St., Denver

The Lowdown: North of the Sunnyside neighborhood nearby Regis University, you’ll find Zuni and 51st park — the park we know you definitely haven’t been to. Google Maps doesn’t even have a description or real address for it. If you want to appreciate Denver from a distance, the hill in this quiet neighborhood park has the perfect bench to sit on and look at the skyline. Better hurry before someone else steals the spot.

George M. Wallace Park

Where: 4700 DTC Blvd., Denver

The Lowdown: In terms of landscaping, the George M. Wallace Park near the Denver Tech Center might be the most lovely on our list. Named in memoriam of the Tech Center’s founder, Wallace Park is picturesque rolling hills, trees and sidewalks that stretch alongside the tall business buildings. The park also has constructed obstacles and hurdles that runners can use to make sure they’re toning those muscles. You must make the drive south for this one.

Alamo Placita Park

Where: 300 N. Emerson St., Denver

The Lowdown: It used to be called “Little Place of the Cottonwoods” for the trees that grew naturally here, but now the small garden sanctuary — now named for the Alamo Placita neighborhood — is home to even more plants and flowers. If you drive on Speer, you most often miss it, but this little piece of heaven is the ideal place to catch your breath and drown out the traffic when you need a break.

Ruby Hill Park

Where: 1505 W. Jewell Ave., Denver

The Lowdown: This hilly park south of downtown is so fun locals use it for skiing and snowboarding. During the winter, the park features obstacles to practice all your shredding tricks and in the warmer months, visitors can play on the playgrounds or use the baseball diamonds and mountain bike park. There are even sweet views of the skyline.

Babi Yar Memorial Park

Where: 10451 E. Yale Ave., Denver

The Lowdown: This 27-acre park in the shape of the Star of David is actually a living Holocaust memorial. With an amphitheater, grove, ravine and two inscribed black granite monoliths that pave the entrance, this park was designed to commemorate those who lost their lives at the 1941 through 1943 Nazi massacre of Jewish peojhple and others in Kiev, Ukraine. As a place for reflection and remembrance, the Babi Yar Memorial Park is a great spot to find peace and quiet.

Great Lawn Park

Where: 101 Yosemite St., Denver

The Lowdown: In the Lowry neighborhood bordering Aurora, the Great Lawn Park is only a short drive east of the city and definitely worth checking out. Public green space is everywhere you look and you will even see mountains without any trees to block your view. With baseball diamonds, a creek, playgrounds, and a cool sundial monument, Great Lawn Park might be your new favorite spot.

Huston Lake Park

Where: 850 S. Bryant St., Denver

The Lowdown: With lots of shady places to relax and a lake to fish in, Huston Lake is the tranquil oasis you won’t find in the downtown hustle and bustle. Featuring a paved trail and beautiful views of the Front Range, this secret park is definitely worth escaping to.

Grant Frontier Park

Where: 2300 S. Platte River Dr., Denver

The Lowdown: Bicyclists rejoice. There is a park just for you along the South Platte River Trail. This hidden park just south of Evans Avenue and South Huron Street offers the calming sounds of the rushing South Platte River, a scenic walking bridge, playgrounds and beautiful paths for walking or riding. Grant Frontier Park is a favorite on our list.

Ketring Park

Where: 6000 S. Gallup St., Littleton

The Lowdown: If you enjoy running around the lake in Wash Park but are tired of crowds, Ketring Park has you covered. Featuring a small lake with a 0.92-mile loop path, this scenic park hidden within quiet neighborhoods of Littleton is ready for your workout or relaxation. Ketring might be the most tranquil on our list.

Belmar Park

Where: 801 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood

The Lowdown: If you love trees, Belmar Park has places to hide. With hiking and biking paths, stone sculptures and playgrounds, Belmar Park offers the same picturesque scenery as Cheesman or City Park, but is more nature-centric. A trip to this crown jewel in Lakewood promises views of wildlife and some much-deserved peace and quiet.

Inspiration Point Park

Where: 4901 Sheridan Blvd., Denver

The Lowdown: This secret park definitely earns its name. Not all parks in the city offer views of the Rockies, but Inspiration Point Park near Arvada does. The park features a gorgeous bluff lookout that oversees the Clear Creek Valley and makes for a nice walk and refuge from your daily stress. This one should be at the top of your list (it’s on ours for one of best places to see the sunset).

READ: Best Places to See the Sun Rise and Set in and Around Denver 

Centennial Center Park

Where: 13050 E. Peakview Ave., Centennial

The Lowdown: This park is fun for the whole family. As playground heaven for the little ones and the young at heart, Centennial Center Park always has something exciting going on. With its very own water playground, nature area and amphitheater that hosts concerts and shows, this secret park is the ideal weekend afternoon retreat.

Central Park

Where: 8801 MLK Jr. Blvd., Denver

The Lowdown: With a Dr. Seuss-inspired playground, this family-fun park in Stapleton is the secret park parents should know about. Bouncy purple mounds, whimsical trees and tubes to climb through are fun for all ages. As the third largest park in Denver, Central Park is an astounding 80 acres — and has everything — picnic/grill areas, a pond, sport fields and drop-dead gorgeous scenery of the Front Range.

James A. Bible Park

Where: 6802 E. Yale Ave., Denver

The Lowdown: This large green space near Cherry Creek State Park often goes unnoticed, but is a great place to play or relax. Jogging trails, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and a playground with a sandbox are some of the many highlights of James A. Bible Park, but the best part is really the space all to yourself.

Redstone Park

Where: 3280 Redstone Park Circle, Littleton

The Lowdown: Catch a fish or play a pick-up game at Redstone Park, Highland Ranch’s favorite park. With baseball diamonds, a skate park, an amphitheater, a playground with a wooden castle and moat, a fishing pond and much more, Redstone has everything and then some. Our favorite spot in the gazebo, the highest point in the park where you can score mountain views.

Ralston-Central Park

Where: 5850 Garrison St., Arvada

The Lowdown: If you don’t want to drive to Centennial Center Park and live in the north, check out Ralston-Central Park — the year-old park that has playgrounds galore. With a splash pad (water playground) and picnic pavilion, this secret park is fun for the whole family and makes for an exciting day when you want to enjoy the sunnier weather.

A program at the Metropolitan State University of Denver is helping local governments and small organizations in Colorado protect important data.

In MSU Denver’s CENTURION Secured program, cybersecurity students are trained to monitor and protect public-sector entities that represent more than 447,000 Coloradans. So far, program participants have spotted 1,682 potential security threats and mitigated 556 viable threats.

“I would say at the moment, the one which is pervasive and is most problematic is that of ransomware,” said Richard Mac Namee, leader of the CENTURION Secured program and director of cybersecurity at MSU Denver.

Mac Namee said the program monitors six school districts, two counties and one first responder organization.

“A lot of these public institutions don’t have the bandwidth to hire people to do this job,” said Monica Ball, a computer science major in her junior year at MSU Denver.

Ball is an analyst for the CENTURION Secured program. She said the program allows students to gain experience in cybersecurity and helps them understand the gravity of data breaches.

“It is devastating because it’s a life,” said Ball. “It can be a lifelong challenge to overcome certain data that gets leaked.”

Mac Namee said the experience students receive will help them stand out when it’s time to apply for jobs.

“Employers are very reluctant to bring on somebody straight out of a four-year degree program with only theoretical knowledge,” said Mac Namee. “They want hands-on experience. So what this does is really complement the degree program.”

The CENTURION Secured program, formerly known as Project PISCES, was awarded a two-year, $500,000 grant from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. The funding is part of a $3.6 million settlement Colorado received from Equifax, Inc. following a nationwide data breach that occurred in 2017.

MSU Denver’s CENTURION Secured program is just one of many initiatives funded by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office to protect public-sector entities that are resource-limited and vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The program has also extended to six other academic institutions and recruited 203 student analysts, far more than the original goal of 85 recruits within its first year.

CENTURION Secured offers free protection programs for local governments and paid protection programs for private entities.

DENVER — In 2023, Denver welcomed a record-setting 37.4 million domestic visitors, which was a 3% increase over the previous record set in 2022, according to a report released by Visit Denver.

The report also says the record number of visitors in the city generated $10.3 billion in tourism revenue, which was the most money spent in Denver than ever before.

“We’re thrilled that both the number of tourists and the revenue generated from those tourists hit record breaking numbers,” said Taylor Shields, the director of communications and public relations for Visit Denver.

On a warm, sunny day in downtown Denver, it’s likely you’ll bump into a touring group, like the one John Mayr was leading Tuesday morning.

“We start out at the Capitol and we end at Union Station,” he said.

Mayr told Denver7 he wasn’t surprised to hear Denver tourism hit a new record with all the city has to offer.

“Denver’s a sports town. It’s a town for the arts. It’s a town with a very rich history, has so much to offer to so many people around the world,” said Mayr.

It’s all of those things that brought Lothar Jaeger and his friends to make a stop in Denver all the way from Germany.

“We landed in Boston, and then we came from Boston to Cape Cod, Pennsylvania, Vancouver,” Jaeger said. “We visited Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, and then we came down to Denver.”

He told Denver7 he and his group first started planning their U.S. trip in the fall of 2023. He said they wanted to make sure to stop in Denver for a few days because they’d heard great reviews.

“We heard a lot about it, it should be very interesting to watch, and so much other stuff is going on,” he said. “Then we go to the tour here and learn about the history and everything else which is out there in the city.”

Though visitors aren’t only coming from other countries, some are visiting from much closer.

“We came from Las Vegas. We got in yesterday,” said Rick Beavin, “Yesterday evening we went to Union Station, checked it out, and we went walking around north of there to the creek.”

Beavin and his daughter aren’t among the few visiting top spots, like Union Station.

The report says the following are top visited attractions when it comes to shopping and entertainment:

– Cherry Creek area
– 16th Street Mall
– Lower Downtown Historic Area
– Denver Pavilions
– Colorado Mills Mall

After months of work being done on the 16th Street Mall Andrew Iltis, the vice president of planning community impact with the Downtown Denver Partnership, says they’re hoping that only continues boosting tourism more and more.

“We’re really seeing tourism pick up, especially in the summertime when we have, you know, kids out of school,” he said. “We have people looking for places to visit, people coming to visit the mountains, and they’re making a stop in downtown and checking out what we have to offer, like this new block on 16th Street.”

Iltis says his hope is tourists continue visiting Denver, especially this year.

The tourists Denver7 spoke with Tuesday said they’d had an unforgettable time, so far.

“It just feels like it’s welcoming to come out, everybody’s friendly,” Beavin said.