Park and Recreation Month

The history of parks in Arvada dates back to 1919 when Mrs. Clemency McIlvoy deeded her home and the three acres that surround it to the Town of Arvada with the understanding that it would become our first park, now McIlvoy Park in Olde Town (5750 Upham Street). This was an early contribution to what has been sustained community support of outdoor spaces as cultural, recreational and civic centers.

Arvada offers two disc golf courses, Johnny Roberts and Bird's Nest. Johnny Roberts is an 18-hole course located at Memorial Park, and Bird's Nest is a 27-hole course just east of Highway 93 on 64th Ave. 

With 70 playgrounds to explore in Arvada, you can't go wrong! Our playgrounds feature a variety of themes and equipment to entrain children of all ages, and are renovated yearly through the City's Taking Lasting Care program. Some popular favorites include Ralston Central, Memorial, Volunteer Firefighters, Rainbow East, Farmstead, and Lady Bug, among many, many others. 

The City of Arvada is hosting its annual 4th of July fireworks display on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at Stenger Sports Complex (W 58th Avenue and Oak Street).

• Gates open to vehicles at 6:30 pm, Fireworks begin at shortly after 9 p.m.
• Parking is free and is first-come, first-serve. Handicap parking available in the Stenger northeast lot.
• Food trucks will be onsite from approximately 5:30 to 9 pm.
• W. 58th Avenue will shut down to traffic beginning at 8 pm.
• No recreational vehicles (RVs), drones, alcohol, personal fireworks, charcoal grills, or pets allowed.
• Propane grills are allowed.

The Majestic View Nature Center is the City of Arvada’s environmental education facility. We offer many school and group programs to engage kids with nature. Using the nature trails, wetland areas and prairie ecosystems to explore, we connect thousands of kids with Arvada’s parks to better understand nature.

Small parks, big parks, dog parks, parks with community gardens, parks with BBQ grills, parks with trails. Arvada's parks have it all! In fact, 96% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, one of the highest rates of park access of any city our size in the country. 

The Ralston Creek Trail is Arvada's longest and most complete public trail, following the meandering creek and linking several City parks and open space areas. Along the way, you'll find many features that highlight Arvada's natural heritage: a rich variety of plant life, lakes and ponds, preserved wildlife habitats, bird sanctuaries, and historic sites. 

Arvada is home to six athletic complexes that host a variety of organized sports activities, including soccer, lacrosse, rugby, baseball, and softball. The City's athletic complexes include: 

• Harold D. Lutz Sports Complex: 10664 W 58th Avenue
• Long Lake Regional Park: 17850 W 64th Avenue
• Stenger Sports Complex: 11200 W 58th Avenue
• Pioneer Park: 12100 W 82nd Avenue
• Foster Fields: 5300 Saulsbury Court
• Youth Memorial Sports Complex: 7619 Alkire Street

Our partners at Apex Park and Recreation District offer more than a dozen high-quality recreation facilities, providing our community with an abundance of fitness and recreation opportunities. Celebrate Park and Recreation Month with Apex by playing bingo and get entered in a drawing to win a 20-visit punch card. 

Located in west Arvada, West Woods Golf Club features 27 unique championship golf holes. Each of our three nines provides brilliant natural scenery along with challenges for golfers of all skill levels. Visit the West Woods Golf Club website to book your tee time! 

Arvada's 150-plus-mile trail network consists of Primary, Local and Regional Trails with both paved and soft surfaces. Trails are suitable for non-motorized recreational enjoyment as well as commuting. Our trail network includes14 local trails that are shorter in length and are located in various parts throughout Arvada, often in neighborhoods and connected to parks.

Located just east of the Apex Center, the Arvada Skate Park is the third-largest park skate park in the country and has hosted several large-scale skating events. Arvada also is home to three skate spots located throughout the City: Memorial Park, Wolffe Park, and Skyline Park.

Tennis is a great way to be active and social while enjoying time outside. Arvada has 17 parks with tennis courts. Check out our interactive courts map to see where they're all located!  

Arvada Festivals' Movies Around Town series is the perfect, free summer activity for the whole family. Celebrate Park and Recreation Month on Thursday, July 14 with a free showing of Top Gun: Maverick at Homestead Park!

The Van Bibber Creek Trail is located within a peaceful stream corridor and winds through beautiful open space areas that offer a "back to nature" experience close to home. Creekside woodlands and meadows harbor many species of birds and other wildlife, particularly between Ward Road and Indiana Street.

Equestrians permitted from Ward Road to Indiana Street. Distance: 2.5 miles east of Indiana Street, 1 mile west of Easley Road.

Thirty of Arvada's parks feature basketball courts, including 17 full-courts and 14 half-courts. 

Fishing is the perfect way to celebrate Park and Recreation Month in Arvada. Fishing is permitted at most Arvada lakes or ponds unless otherwise posted. Some popular spots in the city include Jack B. Tomlinson Park, Lake Arbor, and Arvada-Blunn Reservoir. 

Little Dry Creek Trail stretches through rolling park and open space lands from Sheridan Boulevard west to Indiana Street. Far from dry, the creek supports many wetland areas with an abundance of wildlife at points along the trail. The best views are said to be found through Woodrun, Michael Northey, and Little Dry Creek Parks where you can enjoy picnic and play areas in these parks. The trail also runs through MacArthur and Lakecrest Parks. 

The Olde Town Water Fountain is the ideal summer activity. Before you visit, make sure you're aware of the daily hours of operation: 9 to 11 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m., and 8 to 10 p.m. 

Who needs the gym when you can work out at a park? Five Arvada parks have fitness equipment available to use, including Homestead, Lutz Overlook, Sarah George, Terrace, and Lake Arbor. 

July 21 is National Park and Recreation Professionals Day! Our parks maintenance team is made up of 55 skilled professionals who are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community. 

Arvada's park pavilions are a great venue for gatherings, both large and small. The Arvada Parks Department offers 11 pavilions that can be reserved, along with 33 other pavilions that are first-come, first-serve. 

There's no better way to beat the July heat than the Ralston Central Splash Pad. 

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is a natural oasis with native wildlife and plants in an urban setting. It offers beautiful views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range with a network of trails meandering through prairie grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. This 72-acre Refuge is managed to restore and preserve native prairie ecosystems, protect habitat for migratory and resident wildlife, and provide wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities for all ages.

The West Arvada Dog Park is located at 17975 W. 64th Parkway in Arvada and is a "Special Use" park operated by volunteers on City-owned property. The park is funded 100% through donations. 

Lake Arbor Golf Club is a scenic 18-hole public course located at 8860 Wadsworth Blvd in east Arvada. The course features lush, medium-sized greens and narrow fairways. The classic layout is easily walked and provides picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains.

The Arvada-Blunn Reservoir is located in west Arvada, north of W. 66th Ave. and east of Highway 93, and is a scenic spot to fishing and boating. 

The Arvada Parks and Open Space division maintains more than 3,200 acres of non-irrigated land throughout the City. Some popular Open Space areas to visit include Pattridge, Leyden Lake, Schaaf, Tucker Lake, and Van Bibber Creek.

Looking for a fun, relaxing activity to do with friends and family? Take advantage of our horseshoe pits at Emil Schneider Park and Majestic View Park, or play some bocce ball at Sunrise Ridge Park. 

Little Raven Park, located southeast of the Ward Rd. and W. 58th Ave. intersection, is Arvada's newest park. The idea to name the park in honor of Arapaho Chief Little Raven came from a nearby resident through a community engagement project. Little Raven was known as a peacemaker between native peoples of Colorado and white settlers in the 1800s.

Arvada offers extensive opportunities for the equestrian community, including several equestrian use trails located throughout the community. Arvada is also home to an Indoor Equestrian Center, Outdoor Equestrian Center and the Horse Protection League.