I’d rarely done grocery delivery before the Covid-19 pandemic. I actually would have told you, back then, that I much preferred going to the grocery store and picking out my own items. I have several posts on this blog about grocery shopping, and how to do it without too much waste.

I stand by all those posts, but my perspective has changed and the options for grocery delivery have evolved as well.

Since the pandemic hit in 2020, I’ve tried several of the delivery options: Instacart, AmazonFresh, Thrive Market, Imperfect Foods…but my favorite is Denver’s online local grocery delivery service: Pine Melon. Here’s what I love about the experience:

Produce is fresh, seasonal, reasonably-priced, and often local. You can’t always get every single type of fruit, but that’s because they’re not all in season! Pine Melon stocks most fruits and vegetables, but they focus on partnerships with local producers. It has a bit more of a farmers’ market feel to it. You can get the more “basic” fruits and vegetables, but they also have lots of heirloom and unique products like specialty mushrooms, greens, and sprouts.

Packaging is low-impact. Grocery delivery is definitely not zero waste, and Pine Melon is no exception. However, they do try to use minimal packaging with a focus on recyclable and compostable materials. The orders come in paper bags, and produce is left loose, in green paper cartons, or in compostable bags. I use the compostable bags to line my compost bin, now that the Front Range no longer allows us to compost brown paper.

Members get special deals + free gifts. I became part of the Pine Melon “family,” which is basically their membership program. This gives me free delivery on orders over $35, special deals on many products (such as organic carrots for 99 cents and organic romaine lettuce for $1.29), free gifts of products to try, and extra “MelonMoney” back with each order (which usually equates to a few dollars off my next order).

$0.01 deals! Once I got a whole bag of mangoes for one cent. Another time it was four locally-made cookies. Another time it was a huge bag of cherries. It’s so cool to be able to add an item to your order for just a penny!

Their customer service is fabulous. They communicate well when products are out of stock (rarely happens to me!) and they always deliver on time, usually at the beginning of my two-hour window. With other grocery delivery services there are often mistakes - forgotten items, wrong items, spoiled food…I’ve never had that happen with Pine Melon. They’ve always gotten my order 100% correct.

They offer three types of bananas: regular (usually just-ripe yellow), “smoothie ready” = very ripe, and green. I like to know what I’m getting when I order bananas and I’m happy to pay a bit more (or a bit less) for what I want. I usually get the “smoothie ready” ones for baking - just 75 cents for a bunch!

I’ve been super happy with Pine Melon and encourage my Denver friends to give them a try!

Have questions? Ask me! I could talk grocery shopping nuances all day long.

Wanna give Pine Melon a try? Use this link to get $30 off your first order! (Full disclosure, I get $30 too so it’s pretty awesome for both of us!). This post isn’t sponsored or anything, I just like sharing things I like.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Megan Hottman on her podcast Maximum Enthusiasm. Megan, aka the Cyclist Lawyer, is a bike advocate (and so much more!) in the Denver area, and I had the chance to get to know her through while being a part of her bike ambassadors program in 2020 and 2021.

Megan is deeply concerned and extremely educated about climate issues. She and I had a great talk about the significance of individual choices and how my family of five strives to reduce our environmental impact.

I appreciated the chance to reflect on my journey to get to where I am today when it comes to sustainability and low-impact living. Shout outs to my parents, Middlebury College, Seattle, and so many friends and fellow-environmentalists who’ve taught me valuable lessons over the years.

I hope you’ll listen (even if it’s on 1.5 speed!) and let me know your thoughts about my tips, stories, and jokes.

Oh, and one thing I somehow neglected to say on the podcast: COMPOST!

There was a time when I wouldn’t order take out because of the material waste. The containers. The styrofoam, shudder.

That ship has sailed. I mean, don’t get me wrong: I still don’t love the waste. But my view on our planetary crisis has evolved and also, I am human, and sometimes I just want some delicious food delivered to my doorstep. We’re not going to restaurants in-person like we once were, amiright?

I still try not to order out too often, and when picking restaurants, I think about their overall commitment to sustainability. I order vegetarian; mostly vegan. I don’t waste any of it! And another thing I think about is: how am I getting the food? Delivery is super convenient, but at what cost to our health? I sure don’t want more cars zig-zagging the city delivering food and spewing out toxic emissions. Transportation emissions are one of the main sources of CO2 emissions and causes of our region’s poor air quality.

I know, I know, it’s not that fun to think about the environmental impact of our take-out habits. Can’t we just enjoy that pad thai we’ve been craving? Well, in this case, it might actually be possible to have our cake and eat it too, if you will. Below you’ll find a draft list of restaurants in the Denver area that deliver food by bike.

But first, some disclaimers: this list has not been thoroughly vetted. I’m adding to it all the time based on information from my own experiences, and that of friends and acquaintances. Most restaurants only deliver within a certain radius. Restaurants might change their delivery mode at any time, and it could vary day to day. Always call ahead to inquire (and let me know what they say!). Please do tell me about of any other low-carbon food delivery options you know of!

Denver Restaurants That Deliver by Bike:

Rosenberg’s Bagels

Rye Society

Famous Original J’s Pizza

Ian’s Pizza

Giordano’s Pizza

Trattoria Stella

Aloi Thai

Mint Indian

Little India

El Camino

Humbolt Kitchen + Bar

Some of my most popular posts on Instagram are when I share what I’ve found at Goodwill and other thrift stores. I always get a few questions about where I go, and what other tips I have, so I thought I’d put a few thoughts here on the blog, for people to reference!

Of course this is all based on my own individual experiences, and I usually go to thrift stores close to where I live; I’m sure there are some GREAT ones elsewhere in the Denver area.

Which stores do you go to?

Goodwill. I like the variety of product they carry, as well as the fact their prices are generally determined by type of product not by brand. This means a kids’ shirt is $2.99 whether it’s originally from Target or JCrew. People have mixed feelings about the organization…I’ve heard some “horror stories” but I’ve also read a lot of good press about what Goodwill does for the secondhand market worldwide. Obviously no company is without their flaws, and Goodwill has to deal with an excessive amount of donations (we’re all over-consumers!). I generally feel good about shopping secondhand, and Goodwill makes it easy to do that.

I also shop at Kid-to-Kid in Arvada when I’m looking for specific products for my kids. I do find this spot to be a bit pricey, so that’s a deterrent for me. I like a deal!

Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store in Lakeside is one of my favorite local spots. You definitely have to be ready to dig through the products here, but you can find some real gems! I love their crafting section and they often have school supplies.

I used to shop at Arc Thrift Stores more (they have great sales - every Saturday is 50% off most items, and they also have 99 cent days!) but there isn’t one very close to where I live now, so I don’t find myself there very often.

Which Goodwill location do you like best?

All of them! Ha. I usually go to the Central Park location because it’s closest to my house. They get a lot of Target overstock there, which is good or bad, depending on your view. If I find myself over on the west side of Denver, I like to go to the Lakeside Goodwill because it’s across the street from Treasure Trunk! The Archer location on Broadway has lots of good stuff and two floors! And I’ve been to locations in the suburbs that are fantastic, too. Just go to wherever is most convenient!

What are you favorite days/times to go shopping?

I generally avoid the weekends, especially during pandemic times (but that is when they often have good sales). I find if you go early in the week, the shelves are well stocked. But mostly I just go whenever I get the chance; it’s pretty random! I personally avoid the big sale days because I don’t like crowds (especially these days), but if you are looking for a lot of clothes or big items, it could be good to check the Goodwill calendar.

How do you find such good things?

Time! It takes time and patience to comb through the racks. I usually can’t get to all sections of the store during one visit; it just takes too long. I always keep a list of things I need on my phone, and I look at my list and prioritize the things I need most, or am most hopeful to find (things I really don’t want to buy new).

When looking for clothes, I look first at the material. For myself I like 100% cotton and wool products, but my kids often need polyester clothes for outdoor school. You can look at the edges of the clothes to get a sense of the material without pulling each item off the rack.

It’s also important to see what you find, not to just be looking for specific items. If you need something very specific, you will likely be disappointed (although it feels GREAT when you get lucky!).

Do you also shop online?

Yes! For specific items or when I can’t get to a store, I like to shop on Poshmark, Kidizen, thredUp, and eBay. And Facebook groups and Marketplace of course! (If you click the links above you can get $5-$10 off your first purchase.)

Tip: people often cross-post items on Poshmark and Kidizen., but you can barter on Poshmark but not Kidizen.

Other tips?

Keep a list: As I mentioned above, keep a running list of things you think of that you need in life. Instead of ordering them immediately, wait if you can and look for them the next time you’re thrifting.

Look for quality items: fast fashion is alive and well in thrift stores. Instead of getting the shiny new thing, look for well-made items that will last awhile. But on the flip side of that spectrum, if you need something cheap, better to get it used than new!

Stock up: if there are things you use a lot (like crayons or cloth napkins), stock up when you see them at a thrift store, even if you don’t need them that moment. We don’t need to become hoarders, but if you know you’ll use something in the future, it’s worth getting it secondhand at a cheaper price.

Put a few things back: Thrift shopping plays on our impulses just like “regular” shopping. Before checking out, double check your cart to see if you really need/want everything. Maybe you don’t need that holiday decor? Or maybe you do!

So many of you are experienced thrifters! What tips do you have?

To me, summer is for getting outside (and also for staying home: see my last post!), and I love having weekday adventures with my kids that aren’t too far from home. In this “Easy Urban Outdoors” series, I feature places that are close to the city (Denver) to get one’s outdoor adventure fix.

Star K Ranch unquestionably fits this description. In Aurora, east of Denver, this trail system includes Morrison Nature Center, providing educational opportunities for people of all ages (and a resident bull snake, box turtle and tiger salamander!) . When my kids were littler, we’d go to their kids’ class on a weekday morning (check their schedule for current programming).

Here’s what I love about spending a few hours at Star K Ranch:

• There’s a loop trail from the nature center that is doable for young kids. It’s probably 1 mile, maximum.

• In the center of the trail is a wetland, filled with cat tails, reeds, butterflies, frogs, birds, and more.

• There are ample places along the trail to stop an explore. Lots of trees/logs to climb.

• You feel far from the city: there are very few urban views.

• There are opportunities to join programming at the nature center.

Other notes:

• The Star K Ranch trails connect to both the High Line Canal Trail and the Sand Creek Trail. I personally haven’t biked here, but I think it’d be quite doable, depending where you live.

• It’d moderately stroller-friendly. I’d recommend a carrier, but if you have a BOB stroller or similar, you’ll probably be fine!

• Maybe it’s just luck, but I’ve been here several times over the last 5 years and it’s never been crowded.

Have you been to Star K Ranch? What did you enjoy about it?

Here in Denver, there are ample opportunities for recreation nearby. There are innumerable hikes and parks along the front range, and venturing deeper into the mountains offers even more avenues for outdoor exploration. Our family loves going hiking and camping, and we’re working on increasing our winter activities (I grew up skiing but haven’t tackled taking our kids yet!).

But all that said, most of you know I’m not the biggest fan of driving, so I’m always on the hunt for easy places close to the city to get our outdoor adventure fix.

One of our favorite places to take a short nature walk is Bluff Lake Nature Center. Here’s what I love about it:

• There’s one clearly defined loop trail, so you don’t need to think too much about where to go.

• From the main trail, there are several places to veer off and let the kids explore. These include wooden walkways out onto the lake.

• The loop is only about 1.5 miles, so it’s doable even when someone is whiney or hangry.

• Even though it’s in the city and close to a residential neighborhood, if you look the right direction you can see mountains and other vistas.

• There’s water - a lake and a stream. And some muck throughout!

• It’s stroller-friendly (a BOB or similar would be best).

• No bikes allowed. (You all know I love biking, but keeping my littles out of the way of mountain bikes is one of my least favorite parts of hiking some trails!)

Other notes:

• NO DOGS allowed, even on a leash.

• They run a Forest School and outdoor summer camps here.

• There are several other naturalist activities offered for families, kids and individuals. Check out their website!

• There are bathrooms by the parking lot.

• Bike parking is scarce. Last time I was there with the cargo bike I had to lock to a sign post.

Have you been to Bluff Lake? What do you enjoy about it?

Last week, I took the kids north of Denver to the Broomfield Bike Park by McKay Lake. I’d been on my list for awhile as a great place to let the kids play outdoors. I wasn’t sure how my older two, ages 7 and 5, would take to the “pump track.” Willa expressed some hesitation on the ride up, but once we were there they were eager to try riding.

We explored the playground first though, while we were waiting for friends to join us. I loved the way it incorporated nature; my kids love flinging themselves down the rock “slides:” angled rocks that you could climb or slide down. (I didn’t get a picture unfortunately, but there are also plastic slides built into the landscape.) The playground is right next to the beginner bike track, so it was easy for the kids to go back and forth between the two spots.

The beginner pump track was great. Kids who know how to ride a bike, or are adept at a strider, can do it no problem. Of course there’s a chance of falling, but it didn’t seem overly dangerous in my opinion. Even my 2 year old wanted to get out there and give it a whirl

It didn’t take long before my kids realized there were bigger tracks they could try. The track visible from the beginner one looks HUGE (see picture below), so I wasn’t keen to head over there. But I heard some people talking and realized there were two more beginner (or maybe intermediate?) tracks on the other side of the big track. We headed over there, and my kids enjoyed it so much! It was a tad more challenging than the beginner area but still doable for them.

We had a glorious day at this park. We were there over four hours and the kids didn’t even want to leave when I said it was time. I have never been to a bike park before so I don’t really know how this compares to others, but my sense is it’s a good one. If you live in the Denver area, I highly recommend checking it out, even if it’s a bit of a drive for you!

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll notice I post a lot about biking. Switching to a “car-lite” lifestyle has been one of the most significant intentional changes our family has made in the past couple of years. I am a huge believer that biking or walking more instead of driving has a profoundly positive impact on one’s life. It also is a change that helps minimize your environmental footprint. Transportation is the largest contributor to C02 emissions in the US. And most of the driving comes from short trips around one’s town or neighborhood. Of course the automobile has opened up so many opportunities to us, but next time you go to jump in the car for a short trip, ask yourself if maybe you could get there by a smaller, cleaner vehicle instead. (Or a larger one with lots of people on it!)

In order to making biking your norm, you need a bike to suit your needs. Enter: the cargo bike. We bought ours two years ago, and as cheesy as it sounds, it has truly changed my life. I get a decent number of questions and comments about my bike, so I thought I’d do a little FAQ here for anyone who’s interested. Let me know if there’s anything you’re curious about that I’ve missed.

What type of bike is it?
Our bike is a Nihola 4.0.

Nihola bikes are made in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their “family” model is the most popular: it has one bench which fits two children. Our model, the 4.0 has two benches so it can fit up to 4 children with seat belts.

Where’d you get it? Is it custom?
We ordered our bike from Practical Cycle, a bike store in Sacramento, California. They import Nihola bikes from Copenhagen and have sold them to customers across the United States. The bike was shipped in a truck directly to our garage! The cost of shipping was minimal relative to the overall purchase.

Why not just use a trailer or bike seat?
We’ve used both of those bike attachments to transport our kids. But when I was pregnant with our third child, I realized I really wanted a bike that I could use in place of a car to go almost everywhere we need to go. I didn’t want to bike just for recreation or occasional use. A trailer and/or bike seat can be heavy and awkward depending on your set-up. I loved the idea of a “bucket bike” where I could just throw everything in the cargo area and not worry about attachments or the kids dropping things etc.

Why a bucket bike instead of a longtail?
Longtail bikes were some of the first cargo bikes for carrying kids available to the American market. I remember over 10 years ago I watched a video about a family using an Xtracycle for errands (they bought a tree at a nursery, haha) and seeing that lit the flame that turned into a burning desire to own a cargo bike. But later, I saw a Madsen bucket bike (basically a longtail with a cargo bin on the back) and thought that would be much better for kids. More research led us to the Nihola, and I love having the kids in front of me so we can talk and I can keep an eye on them. And I love having the ability to just throw everything inside the cargo hold and get on our way. I don’t have to think too much about adding bags or attachments. And I don’t have to worry about the kids dropping their belongings en route!

Why do you like it so much?
This might actually be the hardest question to answer, just because it’s hard to put it into words. Riding a bike gives me a feeling of freedom and excitement while simultaneously making me feel calm and at peace with the world around me. The sensory experience of the breeze in your face and the weather all around you is truly good for one’s soul. I love getting my exercise while also getting somewhere. I like talking with the kids about the things we see around us. When I see traffic, I am gleeful that we’re not stuck in it. Riding a bike makes me feel strong and independent. The most mundane errand, is more fun when you’re biking. At least, it is to me!

When are you going to let your kids bike on their own?
When Denver has more protected bike lanes? ;) Kidding. Kind of. Willa is 7, and her biking skills are improving. Cameron is almost 5 and he’s good on a bike too. They bike on her own for recreation and in parks. But generally, the traffic and roads around our neighborhood do not feel safe for children, in my opinion. Even the large park we live near allows cars on the roads, and the drivers go too fast while looking at their phones. I wish my kids were able to bike more on their own, because I think it’s important for kids to be independent. And I’m a parent who is ok with kids taking on a bit of risk. But I also have to be honest with myself about where we live and central Denver just isn’t the best place for kids to be biking on their own at a young age. I’m hopeful the bike infrastructure will continue to improve though.

All that said, I plan to keep riding the Nihola with the kids for years to come. Often we bike to places that others would drive. This morning I took Willa to her soccer game 5 miles away. She’s not going to bike that on her own any time soon.

Is it hard to ride?
In short, no. It rides much easier than I thought it would before buying it. Even though we have the electric assist, we don’t use it all the time. The Nihola is relatively lightweight as far as cargo bikes go. The challenges with riding it are more related to navigating streets and obstacles in the city. It doesn’t clear steep curb cuts, so I have to angle the wheels to make sure the front doesn’t bottom out. It also doesn’t have the same turning radius as a two-wheeled bike, so I sometimes have to do three-point turns. Locking it up can also be tricky sometimes, depending on what types of bike locks are available.

Where do you ride it?
Pretty much everywhere! We live in central Denver, so we can get to so many places within a mile or two. We use it almost every day for school drop off and pick up, as well as trips to the grocery store, the doctor, friends’ houses, and more. I love having the cargo bike in the garage ready to go at all times, so we can just jump in it without too much rigamarole. I try not to drive unless I’m going somewhere over 5 miles. Last summer, we did swim lessons 4 days a week for 4 weeks about 45 minutes away (biking). I biked most days. It was a great way to spend time together with the kids and for them to decompress after swimming. Last year, I used the bike to bring my son’s classmate home from their preschool a couple days a week. I call it my “bike minivan:” I use it for everything!

Do the kids like it?
Yes! They’ve gotten very used to it over the past two years. They often complain now if we’re going to drive somewhere. But, just like anyone, they can get crabby if it’s hot or we’re on a long ride. They sit pretty close to each other so kicking and yelling at each other is not uncommon. But neither is singing songs or laughing. Mostly, we have a good time when we’re biking around the city.

Is it just for carrying kids?
No way. We sometimes load it up with lawn chairs and a cooler for a picnic in the park. I regularly use it for grocery shopping. Occasionally I’ll ride in it for a date night! (When we were in Copenhagen, that was commonplace!) Whatever kind of cargo you need to move around, there’s a bike for that!

How much cargo can it hold?
The bike can carry 265 pounds plus the rider. People often ask when the kids will be “too big” for it, but going by their weights, it will be a long time before we out grown it!

What about when it’s cold or rainy?
There’s a rain cover for days with inclement weather. We use it occasionally, but thankfully we don’t get too much precipitation in Denver. On days that are just cold, I have the kids bundle up with coats and blankets. The cover makes kids cozy for sure, but it’s hard to get them in and out of their seats and it’s sometimes a bit claustrophobic for them. I stay warm by using no assist and getting my heart rate up!

How much was it?
The Nihola 4.0 was $3500 and we added a BionX e-assist battery for an additional $2000. I sometimes feel uncomfortable when people ask how much it cost, but I also remind myself and them that it was much less than a car! And we are now a one-car family, so we feel like we came out ahead! There are definitely more inexpensive cargo bikes available, but we wanted one with high-quality parts that would last for years. We are hoping to use it for many years to come.

Should I get one?
YES! I’m a big believer that everyone needs some sort of cargo bike. Even if you don’t have kids, we all have stuff we need to carry around. You’re more likely to bike places if you have a way to carry cargo (hello, grocery store!). There are so many types of cargo bikes, there’s definitely one that would suit your needs.

If you’re in the Denver area, I highly recommend MacKenzie at Hardt Family Cyclery in Aurora. In other cities, search “cargo bike shops” and I’m sure you’ll find something not too too far away. They’re becoming more common all the time.

There’s tons of information available online too. Check out Denver Bicycle Lobby on Twitter or Cargo Bike Republic on Facebook; both communities have tons of advice to offer!

For way too long I’ve been meaning to look into ways to “green” our energy use. We’ve been limiting our air conditioning use as much as possible this summer, but that’s obviously not enough. 44% of Xcel’s energy comes from coal, so that’s something to consider. Just like where our waste “goes” it’s good to think about where our energy “comes from.”

Xcel let’s you enroll in programs through your account portal online. It’s really fast and easy!

one // sign up for “Saver Switch.”
We’ve been enrolled in this program for years. Xcel installs a small device on your air conditioning unit that can be used to limit your AC use on really hot days. It has your AC cycle on and off at 20 minute intervals and you supposedly don’t notice when it’s in effect. I never have.

two // get on the waiting list for “Renewable*Connect” solar.
This program is full, but if you’re not already on the waitlist, signing up shows Xcel how important solar energy is to its customers. Colorado has plentiful sunshine; let’s make use of it!

three // sign up for “Windsource.”
For just $1.50 extra a month, you can power all your lightbulbs with wind. If you’re able to pay $10-$15, you can get all your electricity from wind. I was originally just going to do a block or two of wind, but opted to get 100% of our energy from Windsource. Again, I think it’s important to tell Xcel what I want as a customer.

What do you think? Have you already made these changes? Will you? If you don’t have Xcel as your provider, does your energy provider have similar options? Ask them!

As I mentioned recently on my Instagram, my goal for the summer is to try to get the kids outside for at least 3 hours a day. Some of this will be swim lessons and other planned activities, but I’ve recently been reminded of the importance of unstructured outdoor play. I grew up doing this, on a large lot of land in northern New York, as I’m sure many people my age did. I’d spend hours playing in mud and water and setting up forts amongst the trees. But in recent years, there’s been a shift towards spending more time indoors with increase supervision. I’ve been reading “There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather” by Linda Åkeson McGurk and she has me completely convinced of the benefits of freely playing outdoors.

We moved a couple years ago to a house with a larger backyard. We try to get the kids outside as much as possible. But lately I’ve been thinking about finding more “real” nature for them to explore. More trails and streams and mud. I reached out to some of my parent networks on Facebook, and received tons of great suggestions. I’m compiling them all here for my own purposes, and perhaps for your reference as well. I haven’t been to even half of these spots, so do let me know in the comments if you have any feedback on any of the suggestions.

Where to find nature experiences within the Denver metro area, divided by region.
Spots closest to Denver are listed first. —

NORTH

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge // 6550 Gateway Road, Commerce City, CO 80022
There’s a driving loop for viewing wildlife, but several short walking trails as well.

Broomfield Bike Park // Zuni Street, Broomfield, CO 80023
Bike park and supposedly fantastic nature playground nearby. Free.

Sunflower Farm // 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont, CO 80504
A single-day admission ticket gives you access to this quaint farm in Longmont. Feed animals, play on swings and the treehouse playground, ride the horses or tractors. They also offer a preschool and summer camp options. Reservations required to visit.

Eldorado Canyon State Park // 65 Baldwin Cir, Eldorado Springs, CO 80025
Four trails ranging from 0.5 miles to 3.5 miles. Tip: aim to go on a weekday; weekends get very crowded.

Dirty Bismark Trail // Superior, CO - various trailheads along loop
{from the website} Dirty Bismarck Loop Trail is a 13.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Louisville, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.

//

SOUTH

Washington Park // S. Downing St. & E. Louisiana Ave., Denver, CO 80210
Great walking paths, a new playground, and a creek to explore. Recent improvements have minimized car traffic inside the park.

South Platte Trail // various starting points along a ~20 mile route.
”Scenic bike ride but lots of places to stop! Get out down south by the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.”

High Line Canal // various starting points
{from the website} At 71 miles long, the High Line Canal is one of the longest continuous urban trails in the country, twisting through the most populated area of Colorado while crossing a diverse mosaic of communities and nature. The Canal originates at Waterton Canyon in Douglas County and runs to Green Valley Ranch in Northeast Denver, falling within one mile of more than 350,000 residents.

Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms // 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128
{from a mom who works there}: “Amazing place to let your littles run around and explore. Farm animals, lots of birds, frogs, and beavers dams all along the creek. Most folks don't walk the full loop of the trail along the creek so miss a lot of the site.”

Chatfield State Park // 11500 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, CO 80125
{from their website} “Float your boat in the lake, bicycle or hike on a trail that provides scenic views of the neighboring foothills and Platte River valley, camp, ride a horse and even fly a model airplane - all at Chatfield State Park, nestled next to the foothills southwest of Denver.​​​​”

Castlewood Canyon State Park // 2989 South State Highway 83, Franktown, CO, 80116
Slightly hidden in the plains (not the mountains) which makes this park unique and sometimes less crowded than other state parks. Various hiking trails and much nature to explore.

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EAST

Bluff Lake Nature Center // 3400 Havana Way, Denver, CO 80238
No bikes or dogs allowed. Free entry. 1.2 mile loop and several other trails and areas to observe nature.

Star K Ranch // 16002 E Smith Road, Aurora, CO 80011
They do a great nature class for kids 5 and under on Thursday mornings. Check their Facebook for details.

The Urban Farm at Stapleton // 10200 Smith Road, Denver, Colorado 80239
$5 admission for ages 2+

Cherry Creek State Park // 4201 S. Parker Road Aurora, CO 80014
{from the website} A scenic oasis in the Denver area offering a wide variety of water and land activities for outdoor enthusiasts. The 4,000-acre park and modern campground are open year-round. View birds and wildlife, recreate or relax with the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop.

//

WEST

Crown Hill Park // 9357 West 26th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Nice walking loop around a lake.

Anderson Park // West 44th Avenue and Field Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Access to Clear Creek. Possible water play and much to explore by the creek.

Alderfer / Three Sisters Park // 5136 South Le Masters Road, Evergreen, CO 80439
There’s also an east trailhead.

Bear Creek Lake Park // 15600 W Morrison Road, Lakewood CO 80228
When I first moved to Denver after living in places with more water, I laughed when someone told me this was a good beach. Then, a few years later, I took my kids to swim and said to friends, “this is GREAT!” It’s not the Adirondacks or Minnesota, but it’s still fun!

Lions Park // 1470 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401
Walk by the creek and play at the playground before or after. Water level varies so be cautious if there’s a high/strong flow.

Bear Creek Greenbelt // 2800 S. Estes St., Lakewood, CO 80227
{from the website} “This lovely, natural stream corridor provides a continuous trail connection and wildlife corridor from Wadsworth Boulevard west to Bear Creek Lake Park. The 379-acre preserve parallels Bear Creek and contains wetlands, fishing ponds, riparian forests and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Trail connections provide endless options for biking and walking along the scenic floodplain heading toward Denver or Bear Creek Lake Park and the foothills beyond.”

Lair o’ the Bear Park // 22550 State Highway 74, Idledale, CO 80453
Great walking path along a creek. Good for families and usually suitable for a stroller with large wheels.

Matthew Winters Park // 1103 County Highway 93, Golden, CO 80401
Various trails, but apparently the trailhead itself is a great place to play; a stream and some trials offer kids ample opportunity to explore nature.

North Table Mountain Trail // Access the trail via Highway 93 just north of Pine Ridge Road. (4758 Highway 93)
{from the website} North Table Mountain Trail is 1.5 miles and traverses the southwest side of North Table Mountain below the cliff band. There are excellent views of the Golden Valley. The trail is moderate to advanced in difficulty, with 300 feet elevation gain from the north and 400 feet elevation gain from the south. The trail branches left to the Golden Cliffs Trail shortly after the trailhead in the north. Stay right to keep on the North Table Mountain Trail. The trail terminates near Peary Parkway at its southern end.

Apex Park // 121 County Highway 93, Golden, CO 80401
Close to downtown Golden, this trail is nice on really hot days, it eventually follows a stream with good shade thanks to a dense forest. This trail is popular with mountain bikers, but there are “directional use” restrictions: “Bicyclists are required to ride in one direction only (uphill/west) on odd-numbered calendar days.”