Water fun for kids (Littleton, Parker: YMCA, live in, beach)

[Charles]

Anyone have any suggestions for where to take small kids (3 to 8 years old) on a day trip for outdoor water fun/picnic/lounging in a natural scenic environment (streams, lakes, ponds)? In California we would go to the beach for this type of fun. Looking for somewhere within maybe one hour of Monument?

Incidentally, we have had lots of fun at mini water parks at Wilson Ranch pool in the hills west of Woodmen & I-25, H2O'Brien water park in Parker, and Pirates Cove in Littleton. All three have been really crowded on hot days though. I understand there is something really new on Pine Manor Drive in Pine Creek NW of the intersection of Briargate Parkway and Union??? Anyone checked it out yet???

[froggin4colorado]

For water, we hit Uncle Wilber Fountain at Acacia Park and America the Beautiful Park with its newest fountain. Swimming, we hit the YMCA on Jetwing, Security Public Pool, and there is a privately owned one in Pi-Ute Park. We live in Fountain though...so it is different location. North end pools, Wilson Ranch as you suggested...that's all we I can think of. Memorial Lake has public swimming too, never tried it though. Good luck with the hunt- we could use some good swimming holes around here.

[sunshine77]

The Spray Park on Pine Manor is really nice it also has a nice playground. I like to take the kids there right at 10 a. m when they start the water because there are no tress for shade so it gets really hot around noon for the little ones.

[jwo311]

That is a great spray park, but the Fountain sculpture downtown at America the Beautiful Park is amazing. My daughter loves going there, especially now that it is more controlled (life guard on duty).