On Tuesday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m., Denver Parks and Recreation and Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz will participate in the ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony of West Denver’s newly remodeled Bear Creek Park, located at the intersection of Sheridan Boulevard and Hampden Avenue. The park has undergone an extensive renovation, including the new Discovery Playground, history walk and improvements to the parks circulation and safety.
Bear Creek Park, also known as “Sombrero Hat Park” to locals, is famous for the Sombrero slide that has been a fixture in the park for over 20 years. This history is important to the people of the neighborhood and has inspired the theme of history and nature present in the new park design. Not only does the Sombrero represent the neighborhood’s history, but the history of Colorado West with cowboys roaming the plains and prospects of gold on the mind of pioneers.
Discovery Playground was developed through a public process that sought input and participation from the community and city staff. For this process, two public meetings were held with community members, the Harvey Park Home Improvement Association and 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students at Sabin Elementary School. Both community members and students provided enthusiastic feedback that nature and history were important to the community and that the giant sombrero slide was loved by adults and children and was desired to remain as a play element in the new design.
The new playground is intended to serve the entire city population, along with local residents. There are activities for all ages in the new playground, including the Dig. The Dig was inspired by the fossils found on the site and strengthens the feeling of history and nature of the site. This area is a sand play pit where kids can dig to find objects hidden in the sand, such as fossils, old cowboy boots, or even gold nuggets.
In addition to the Sombrero slide, playground activities include tot and intermediate play areas, including swings, water play, climbing walls and boulders. Other activities include natural play areas, community gathering spaces, outdoor classrooms, and extended picnic areas. The upgrades and refurbishing were partially funded by Denver voters through the Better Denver bond program.
From play areas inspired by Colorado wildlife to a history walk showcasing Colorado’s rich and diverse history, the visitors to Bear Creek Park will enjoy a vibrant and changing environment with each visit.