Welcome to Denver Playgrounds & Parks. In this Kickstarter-supported project, I set out to compile a complete overview of metro Denver’s public playgrounds. With my two kiddos in tow, I visited each park and play area, took pictures and notes, and rated it on specific criteria. We found and mapped over 700 playgrounds! It is my hope that our efforts will help other parents learn about the multitude of urban and suburban play areas in greater Denver. The results are available as a printed guide book and two smartphone apps.
This project is an ongoing effort to include every new and renovated public playground throughout metro Denver. I update the mobile app regularly to reflect up-to-date information on our magnificent parks system.
My database currently contains over 815 play areas.
UPDATES & NEWS
UPDATE Apr 2, 2023
Spring has nearly arrived in Denver and I’m busy updating my database to reflect new additions and renovations of playgrounds throughout the metro area. Stay tuned for an update!
UPDATE Oct 30, 2022
The inclusion of Central Park’s (formerly Stapleton) many public neighborhood parks brought the total of playgrounds reviewed here to over 800. A big thanks to all the comments from users of the app about new playgrounds, closed parks, and undiscovered play areas! You help keep this project up-to-date!
UPDATE Mar 23, 2022
With the guide book now nearly out of print, I’m hard at work at updating the mobile app (version 7.0) with last year’s new & renovated playgrounds… there are over 30 of them. My contacts in the parks & rec departments of over 15 Denver municipalities are helping out, thanks to all of you.
UPDATE Apr 27, 2021
The first post-pandemic update of the iPhone app was posted (version 5.6) with 15 new playgrounds. I also wrote a post on Mile High Mamas about some of 2020’s new playground additions: https://www.milehighmamas.com/blog/2021/04/01/denvers-best-new-playgrounds-for-2021/
UPDATE Mar 1, 2020
The ongoing Denver Playgrounds Project was featured in the March 2020 edition of Colorado Parent. Read it in the printed magazine or online at coloradoparent.com/10-great-playgrounds-in-metro-denver
UPDATE May 3, 2019
The brand-new version 5.0 of the iPhone app has been released! It has a new look, adds nearly 30 new playgrounds, and better functionality. I spend hundreds of hours each year researching new parks and working on the app, so the new version is now available on a yearly subscription basis. Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
UPDATE March 10, 2019
It’s time for a major update! A lot of new playgrounds were constructed in the past couple of years and I’m busy researching them all. The printed guidebook is now nearly out of print (just 50 copies left), so I’m focusing on the iPhone app. I’m rewriting the app from the ground up using Apple’s Swift code, to include all 750+ playgrounds. Expect an update in May 2019.
UPDATE April 10, 2017
I am busy working on over a dozen playgrounds that were renovated in 2016 and 2017 throughout the metro area, including some brand-new installations and replacements. Stay tuned for an update to both iPhone apps!
UPDATE May 1, 2016
The 3rd edition of the guide book has launched and the book is back in print! It contains over 160 additional playgrounds and a new focus on the top 50 playgrounds. Time to celebrate the “Expanded 2016 edition”.
UPDATE April 5, 2016
With the book out of print for several months now, I’m hard at work on a third, expanded edition of the printed guide book. I expect a launch date at the end of April.
UPDATE December 17, 2015
Thanks for everyone's enthusiastic interest in the project! I have nearly sold out of the book and I’m down to my last 10 copies. If you’re looking for a print copy, check with the many local Denver stores.
UPDATE October 8, 2015
Version 3.0 of the iPhone app includes over 120 new parks. The completed project features over 700 public playgrounds. You get these and many other updates in the app immediately.
UPDATE August 25, 2015
I’m working on adding about 100 playgrounds. These parks will bring the total to over 700 and complete the entire greater metro area, from E-470 up north to C-470 in the south. Expect an app update in a few months.
UPDATE June 15, 2015
The expanded version of the guide book has been printed! It features 55 additional playgrounds, higher print resolution, and 10 additional pages. Available on Amazon and at local Denver stores.
UPDATE Mar 1, 2015
I’m working on adding new playgrounds to the iPhone app, mostly in the Golden and west Littleton area.
UPDATE Dec 19, 2014
Done! The printed guide book has officially launched and is finally available on Amazon and in local Denver toy and book stores.
UPDATE Dec 9, 2014
The new iPhone app “Best Playgrounds in Denver” is available on the App Store. It goes far beyond the scope of the book.
UPDATE Nov 5, 2014
I’m happy to announce the availability of my first app “Denver Playgrounds & Parks”. It features an overview of more than 500 public playgrounds, with map locations, photos, and ratings.
UPDATE Apr 19, 2014
It’s a Go! The Kickstarter project has successfully gained financial support. Thank you to all 44 backers... you rock!
UPDATE Feb 18, 2014
The Kickstarter project has officially launched. View my project video and pledge your support. Thank you