At nearly 800 acres, Lowry’s parks and recreational areas will be equal in size to 20 percent of all park space in Denver. Demonstrating respect for Colorado’s environment, Lowry’s parks are built responsibly, with 35 percent of the total acreage devoted to native plants and grasses, and less than half slated for sod, some of which include low water grass varieties. Lowry’s parks and recreational areas include neighborhood parks, regional parks, a sports complex, golf course, natural areas, a community recreation center and an ice arena.

RECREATION

CommonGround Golf Course: Located at Alameda Ave. and Havana St., Lowry’s golf course opens in May 2009. World-renowned architect Tom Doak of Renaissance Gold Design was tapped in 2007 by the Colorado Golf Association and Colorado Women’s Golf Association to create the course. The facility includes a new 18-hole championship course, an enhanced practice facility, and two short courses devoted to junior golf development. The new course will preserve and enhance the views of the front range as well as the mature trees on site. For more information, call 303-340-1520 or click here.

24 Hour Fitness Sport: In the Town Center District, this club includes basketball, pool free weights, cardio equipment, group exercise, personal training, locker rooms, sauna, steam room and Kids' Club.

Big Bear Ice Arena: Open to the public year around, the facility is located in the former aircraft hangar near the EastPark neighborhood and features two indoor ice rinks, retail, one outdoor roller rink, video games, and refreshments.

Lowry Swim Club: Located in the former officer's club in the Town Center District, the Swim Club is open during summer months. The club offers aqua aerobics, swim lessons, yoga, a baby pool, barbeque areas and a movie night on Fridays under the stars. For more information, call 303-364-4063.

Montclair Recreation Center: Operated by Denver Parks and Recreation for the enjoyment of Lowry and surrounding neighborhoods, Montclair Rec Center includes a gymnasium with basketball and volleyball programs, lap pool, leisure pool, locker rooms, crafts spaces, multipurpose rooms, a woodworking shop and youth lounge.

Jackie Robinson Field: Modeled after Coors Field, the facility functions as a Little League ballpark for metro Denver. Three fields are designed for tournament play geared to children 14 and under.

Sports Complex: The Sports Complex at Lowry has something for every kind of athlete. The area includes basketball courts, tennis courts, Jackie Robinson baseball field and a playground. The seven regulation sized soccer fields are available for multi-use including flag football and lacrosse. Two of the fields feature synthetic turf and lights for night-time play. The fields are operated and maintained by Denver Parks and Recreation. To utilize these fields, organized teams must obtain a permit from the City of Denver Parks Permitting Department at 720-913-0700.

Two lighted adult basketball courts, a youth-size court with shorter baskets, and four lighted tennis courts are available for day or evening play. The courts are also operated by Denver Parks and Recreation. The playground east of the courts includes a large play structure with several slides, climbers, two belt swings and two tot swings, and a “castle.”

Other activities: Other sources of recreation include dance and fitness classes at Colorado Free University, yoga and Pilates at Ascent Health Center and classes and personal training at Half Hour Power.

PARKS and OPEN SPACE

Hiking and Biking Trails: Segments of walkways are already in place. Eventually, a network of public trails will connect all areas of Lowry and link to the regional trail system. Westerly Creek is being revitalized as a recreational corridor from the Highline Canal Trail south of Lowry to the Sand Creek Parkway at Stapleton. Westerly Creek Dam was built by the Army Corps of Engineers to manage a 500-year flood. The 45-foot-high, 1.5 mile-long dam provides the best scenic views at Lowry. Gradual ramps will allow people to walk to the top of the dam to enjoy the view, along with some solitude.

Boulevards and Parkways: The landscaping at Lowry is extensive with flowers, drought-resistant trees and thousands of mature, transplanted trees. Major thoroughfares have landscaped medians much like traditional Denver parkways. Every sidewalk has a tree lawn, and public art dots the streets.

Reading Garden: Located in the Town Center District, this area is a collection of spaces, or "reading rooms" positioned throughout green space for people to gather in relative privacy. Surrounding thespaces are inscriptions of classic book titles, permanent art sculptures, small shelters, benches, planters, native trees, shrubs and ground covering.

Bayaud Park: This 14-acre park contains both passive and active neighborhood park facilities, including paved walkways, public art and open space. The Bayaud Park playground includes a picnic area and play equipment for children ages 1 through 12.

City of Ulaanbaatar Park: Located in the Town Center District, this 4.8-acre park features a contemplative space, playground, trails and native landscape areas. iThe park is home to a stainless steel tulga sculpture. A tulga – or open fireplace – is the center of the nomad household in Mongolian culture. The park’s namesake, Ulaanbaatar, is the capital of Mongolia and Denver’s sister city.

Roslyn Park: Set in a charming location in the Northwest Neighborhood, the half-acre passive park features a crusher fine trail, colorful natural plantings, and flagstone patios with picnic tables.

Crescent Park: Approximately eight acres, Crescent Park in the Northwest Neighborhood includes a contemplation area with views of the Front Range, covered and uncovered picnic areas, natural areas, play equipment, an open play area and walkways.

East & West Pocket Parks: These small neighborhood parks feature playgrounds, a sand box picnic tables, benches, landscaping and trees.

PowerHouse Pedestrian Plaza: Located in the Town Center District, this park is intended for Lowry workers to relax and reflect. It features shaded picnic tables, sitting areas and natural plantings -- all within a small common area.

Prospect Park: Prospect Park is 2.5 acres located in the heart of the EastPark neighborhood. It features a playground, picnic shelter, walking paths, native grass areas and a multi-use open space area for activities.


COMING SOON

Great Lawn: The “crown jewel” of Lowry’s park system will be approximately 50 acres of open space that echoes Denver’s other classic parks such as Cheesman, Congress and City Park. The large center lawn will accommodate community events or passive recreational activities. Westerly Creek will wind around the west side of the lawn, narrowing and widening into ponds. The park design also features picnic areas, a playground, bridges, trails, roads and native areas. The park is scheduled to be completed in spring 2009.

The Wetlands: This 50-acre wetland native area located east of the Northwest Neighborhood and just north of the Great Lawn. The area will be enhanced to provide a habitat for wildlife and trails through natural areas for walking residents. The area includes the Kelly Road Dam on the north, west and east, and Westerly Creek flows through it on the east side.

Yosemite Open Space: Located directly across from the EastPark neighborhood, this 30 acres of open space will serve as a natural buffer between the neighborhood and Lowry’s recreational amenities. Broad swaths of native trees, shrubs and grasses will provide color throughout the seasons and visual interest for motorists and pedestrians along Yosemite. A wide biking/walking path will extend along Yosemite Way east to Havana St., eventually connecting to other trails around and through Lowry. The park extends into a tree-lined entrance to the neighborhood at Fourth Place.

Lowry Dog Park: The Lowry Redevelopment Authority and the City and County of Denver have set aside approximately five acres of land between Yosemite Way, the Westerly Creek outfall and the Mira Vista Golf Course for the Lowry Dog Park. As envisioned, the Dog Park will have three distinct fenced-in areas: a large dog open space area, small dog area and an agility area, creating one of the showcase dog parks in Colorado.