Sloan's Lake Park

Elite '08

8

91

Paul L.

Denver, CO

Sloan's Lake Park offers some of the best views of Denver's skyline.  It also has boating/waterskiing.  But I like the park for different reasons.  It is really diverse.  

The Northeast corner of the lake has a bunch of really nice houses and almost feels like Wash Park.  If you walk clockwise around the lake you will notice the houses/businesses getting much sketchier as you go.  It is cool to me that it all works together.  However, parts of the lake are downright lurktastic (hence the nickname Rape Lake).

Only time will tell if the Edgewater rennaissance and Starbucks on Sheridan are enough to "turn" the whole area.

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Elite '08

279

267

Jessica H.

Denver, CO

I absolutely loved walking around the lake today for the first time. I made the full circle and now want to go back as much as possible.
Being from Texas, I have been missing the lakes I used to water ski around. I now have a lake with mountains in the horizon.
Lots of playgrounds circle the lake, with a nice sidewalk path for skating, walking and cycling.
The lake is large enough for water skiing and boating.
Tons of pooping geese hang out in the grass and the water with a few mallards thrown in the mix.
I feel lucky to have a large lake with bathrooms, playgrounds and wildlife(did I mention 2 pelicans) here for us to enjoy.
Now go outside and play.

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Elite '08

27

138

Greg Q.

San Francisco, CA

Took Little Q to Sloan's Lake because it was the closest playground to our hotel, and he needed to cut loose after a day of travel. As we headed West on Colfax and crossed over 25 we began to notice that the 'hood had definitely changed. By the time we found the park it was looking up somewhat, but the McDonald's across the street from the park set the tone for what we'd find.

The park didn't feel unsafe, but we weren't completely at ease, either. When I'm on the road my senses are heightened, but I'm also wise enough to separate paranoia from perception. The guys playing soccer, or cooling down from soccer? No worries. The guy blasting opera in his car with the windows rolled up while he smoked...something...? Not the top of my list for people to introduce Little Q to.

As for the park itself, the lake and trees are beautiful, and are probably a gorgeous place to run around. Emphasis on keep moving. The play structure is wonderfully designed, and Little Q took to it immediately.  But he is always unaware of how run down something is, or how much trash is on the ground. The whole place needs more than just a coat of paint.

The playground was littered with juice cups from McDonald's, and a pretty even covering of other human detritus. I could have sworn the were trying to replace the woodchips in the playground with plastic waste.

And the geese are intimidating kids. Seriously. The geese smelled our bag of pita chips, and started staking out territory. Sure, they could just fly over a low fence, but it also might give them an idea of where they are not wanted.

Overall, a beautiful foundation of a park. But it needs work.

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34

247

Gitana G.

Denver, CO

Nice view of Denver's skyline from this park. I like to joke "one foot of water and two feet of goose poop." I see people water skiing in the summer and hope they don't do a face plant and swallow any water.

Located next to Edgewater, Sloan's Lake is definitely an urban park. It has a gorgeous view of downtown Denver. On the downside, it is overused at times, with residents "loving it to death". There have been many times where maintenance is lax or completely absent with overflowing trash cans and, non-working water fountains.

C'mon Hinkenlooper, spend some money on one of Denver's jewels.

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Elite '08

142

186

Carrie R.

Denver, CO

While this park could use more shade, it has nice toilets by the playground on the 17th Ave. side, and you can find one in the boat house on the opposite side, too, if it's unlocked. The path surrounding the lake is plenty wide enough to accomodate bikers, joggers, and dog walkers. Interesting views of downtown, too.

It was created in 1861 by a farmer named Thomas Sloan,who started digging on his land and apparently hit an underground aquifier because the next day there was a lake!

Today, Sloan's Lake is one of only three lakes in Denver where you can go boating (paddle boats don't count.) The other two are Smith Lake in Wash Park and Berkeley Lake.

P.S. Swimming is not allowed in any Denver lake. It was outlawed during the polio epidemic of the 50s, and the ban was never lifted.

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8

13

cakes ..

Denver, CO

My favorite 'within a mile of the house' location for being outside. It's amazingly beautiful and a great place to hang out in the grass, grill, or do whatever sort of outdoor things you like.

It's almost 3 miles around the lake, so it's also a great little track for walking/running/biking.

People are always hanging out there and it's a generally mellow place with no intense "this is my park" kind of vibes. Everyone is generally friendly and welcoming. Plus it's HUGE - so if you're cranky, go find a little corner somewhere.

Bonus - if you squint from the West side of the lake, you can pretend Denver's a coastal city.

I really miss the ocean..

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6

274

Vince D.

Boulder, CO

One of Denver's lesser-known treasures is the view from Sloan's Lake. And the adjacent park is a great place to run, walk, or just gaze at the city reflecting on the water.

The road next to Sloan's Lake, in the town of Edgewater, is the closest you'll feel to being on an ocean waterfront in Denver. Seagulls will pass overhead. You will smell the nearby water. And the little shops flanking the western bank will create the illusion of being in a place like Bar Harbor, except without the tourist traps.

There seem to be some cool little bars here, too, and I once worked for a night in a haunted house in the strip mall across from the park. It was an amazing thrill to leave the attraction and see the lights of downtown Denver shimmering on the water. Beautiful.

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2

6

Ross M.

Denver, CO

Beautiful views of the Denver skyline, Sloan's lake should be the premier Denver park.  Unfortunately the surrounding neighborhood has been ignored for too long by Denver police and is now known for it's shadiness.  I'm not talking about trees.  Currently, the Sloan's lake neighborhood is experiencing a renaisance of sorts as law enforcement has chased out most of the gang members.

I jog around the lake several times a week and now families walk the park with their children.  There's still a few undesireables at the park passed out under trees or the smell of some kids smoking joints on a bench, but it's getting better.  The good guys definatelly out number the bad guys there, although I wouldn't hang out there at midnight.  

Edgewater is an up and coming "it" neighborhood in Denver, so if you're into real estate prospecting, buy, buy, buy!  

This weekend (7/28) the dragon boat festival is there, and it's supposed to be awesome.

fyi:  The path around Sloan's lake is approximately 2.5 miles.

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Elite '08

435

1030

Shiho F.

Carmel by the Sea, CA

Played tennis here.  There were about 4 courts there in poor condition but definitely playable.

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