Lasley Park

1401 S. Kendall St.
Lakewood, CO
website

This is our neighborhood playground, so we end up here a lot.  It is a relatively-small, no-frills playground, with a couple of slides, some swings, and some climbing equipment. It is relatively-toddler friendly, except the bottom step is high, so it would be difficult for some to climb up. The park has a full basketball court, tennis courts, a volleyball court, and some open space for playing.  There are also a couple of picnic shelters with grills. Not the best park for strolling in, but it makes a fun walking (or bike-riding) destination. This isn't a park I would go out of my way to get to, but it is a good, solid, neighborhood playground. 

Amenities include:

1 port-o-potty

tennis courts

basketball court

volleyball court

two picnic shelters, at least one of which has BBQ grills

Loretto Heights Park

South Lowell Blvd. and West Amherst Avenue

Denver, CO 80236

 

When we visited this park it was overrun with dandelions and had a charming, overgrown feeling.  The beautiful hilltop location with winding paths along the sides of the hill was a refreshing change after visiting so many perfectly-manicured parks. The playground isn't anything special, but it has a couple of slides and some swings and is more than sufficient for imaginative play. Q particularly enjoyed the lion's mouth tunnel. It is relatively toddler-accessible, although not particularly geared toward them. 

 

There is a picnic shelter perched at the top of the hill, with a few scattered picnic tables on the grass as well. I did not see any grills.  This seems like an ideal park for an old-fashioned (i.e., cold) family picnic. There was also a suprising amount of flat open space for a hilltop park.  Note that sledding is not allowed, nor does this seem to be a particularly good spot for it, despite being on top of a hill.

Amenities Include:

One picnic shelter with several (no BBQ grills)
1 port-o-potty

Kendrick Lake Park

9351 W. Jewell Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80232
website

This is a wonderful park with an extensive playground, a walking path around the lake, and even a little botanical garden.  The playground has several slides, swings, and lots of opportunities for climbing.  There are two parts of the playground--one that is more accessible for smaller children, and another for older children.

There are plenty of benches, both near the playground and along the path around the lake.

The park is somewhat limited in the way of open grass space for running or kite flying.

Amenities Include:

One picnic shelter with several tables and BBQ grills
Restrooms with flush toilets (seasonal) (although no doors on the stalls in the women's restroom)
Water fountain