The park, on Kipling between 32nd & 26th Aves, offers picnic tables and parking on the south side. The tables look over the park's centerpiece, a large lake popular with waterbirds. Native grasses fill most of the remainder of the park, foregoing groomed bluegrass for a more natural look. In the northwest corner, a wildlife sanctuary encompasses Kestrel Pond, wetlands, and a thicket of trees. Though biking is not allowed in the sanctuary, a boardwalk (complete with viewing blinds) and 0.7 miles of trails provides access to hikers. Visitors can glimpse waterfowl, shorebirds, foxes, and an occasional deer.
The trails in the park can be ridden as (almost) concentric circles. The inner circle, hugging the shoreline of Crown Hill Lake, runs 1.2 miles. For the most part, it is very exposed, with few trees to shield you from the sun. Near the northwest corner, spurs connect this trail with the perimeter trail, with the north-heading trail also providing access to the sanctuary's boardwalk trail.
The path around the perimeter, not including the dirt horse trail, runs 2.0 miles. In spots, large trees (especially near the sanctuary) provide shade. As it runs along the park's southern boundary, the trail joins the lakeshore trail for a time before parting again. Shortly afterwards, the trail forks again, with the right branch piercing through the park's northeast corner on its way to paralleling 32nd.
This popular park attracts many users, whether they come for biking, jogging, strolling, walking dogs, or to work out on the fitness trail. Because of the crowds, this is not a trail for speed riding. Posted signs specify a speed limit of 10 mph. No speedometer on your bike? That's okay -- signs are spaced 70 seconds apart for that speed. (So remember to bring your watch!)
The park does offer views of the Front Range to the west. However, perhaps the most striking view is of a tower in the Crown Hill Cemetery just to the east (see writeup below). Towering over everything else in the vicinity, it resembles a cross between an Egyptian temple and a concrete granary. It's hard to get lost with such a landmark to get your bearings from!
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
The Crown Hill Cemetery Tower of Memories (8500 W 29th Ave) towers over the cemetery and adjacent park. This seven-story mausoleum, whose construction spread over 60 years, features an entrance hall with a pictorial history of the cemetery, a chapel, and the metro area's first multi-tiered mausoleum. Call 303-233-4611.
