Despite the recent attempt to ban 3.2 beer in Washington Park (and I'm extremely happy it failed) and the complaints from community members about people urinating and puking on their front lawns, Wash Park is still the place to be in the summer.
I used to live in the area, and I always loved trekking the eight blocks with a backpack of beer, a blanket and some food. The park is so big that it doesn't feel like you're sitting on top of someone else, as at some other parks in Denver, but if you wanted to sit by someone and make some friends, you have that option, too. See also: Cheesman Park: Haunted by fun (and angry spirits, probably)
The park offers a ton of activities on a sunny day, including volleyball, paddleboats, tennis courts. The walkway around the park is great exercise -- and I should probably do that walk more often rather than sit on a blanket and drink.
But my favorite parts of the park are the two ponds. I'm from the East Coast and used to being around water, so just dipping my feet in a pond is relaxing, especially if it's after a few brews.
For all the time I've spent in Wash Park, I haven't seen any of the problems that were discussed at the alcohol ban meeting, which I covered. I'm not sure community members were being dramatic, being anti-alcohol or just being plain obnoxious, but to me, Wash Park seems pretty under control compared to other parks I've visited in Denver.
And this weekend, you can bet that I'll be bringing my backpack full of beer (3.2, of course), my blanket and some friends to Wash Park, to enjoy everything this great place has to offer.
