Is there a park or space downtown where people congregate in Denver? (Center: work)

[Fireblanket]

Portland (Or) has a few nice little places to just hang out and rest. San Antonio has the Riverwalk but it's all restaurants and *very* few locals ever even venture down below street level.

Eugene has a nice 'greenbelt', I think it's called, along the river.

So what I'm asking is, honestly, does Denver have a place like this? Is it used?

[Katiana]

Washington Park (aka "Wash Park") is heavily used. It is just east of downtown Denver.

[tfox]

Commons Park is probably what you're looking for. It's just northwest of Lower Downtown in the Central Platte Valley.

[steveco.]

Many perades and demonstrations occur at the civic center park between the city hall and the capitol. There is a really neat roman ampitheatre there

[ken_&_nikki]

The Starbucks at the 16th Street Mall.

[Fireblanket]

Um...thanks for the answers!
...STARbucks?

[Mikieo415]

Originally Posted by ken_&_nikki

The Starbucks at the 16th Street Mall.

There are only 45 starbucks along the 16th st. mall!

[jjacobeclark]

No, downtown Denver doesn't have a park where regular people congregate.

Civic Center Park is downtown near the State Capitol but only homeless people, street kids, and drug addicts spend time there. There is some beautiful flower beds and Roman style architecture, but nobody hangs out there unless they want to be harrassed for spare change or purchase drugs.

Commons Park is just west of Union Station. It is very pretty but not that popular, no concerts or festivals held there.

Confluence Park is near Auraria campus, but it is small and only appealing because you can walk down to the Platte River. It has a small kayak park near the REI store.

Then there is City Park about a mile east of downtown where the zoo and museum are located. They have Jazz In The Park during summer. The park is Denver's largest but not used nearly as much as one would think. It borders the Cole, Whittier, and Park Hill neighborhoods as well as East Colfax which are all considered very unsafe.

Wash Park is the second largest park in Denver but the most popular in terms of visitors. It is by far the nicest park in Denver, but it is located 2 miles south of downtown.

I would have to agree that 16th St Mall is the only place where people just sit outside and read or eat, but that's just in the daytime during the week. The city of Denver is very minimal in relation to its metro area. It only accounts for 1/5 of the total metro population, so people don't have a strong loyalty to the city center because the majority of people live and work in the suburbs. We don't have anything comparable to other cities like Balboa Park in San Diego, Central Park in NYC, Grant Park in Chicago, etc.

[kristenfromdenver]

I think Commons Park is an excellent place for people to congregate. It's right along the platte river, which is great to sit beside, there are lots of dogs swimming in there. There are always tons of people having picnics there. It's right next to Zengo, a coffee shop, wine store, pet supply store and is just a block away from Lodo. The Taste of Puerto Rico Festival is held annually at Cuernavaca Park, which is just south of Commons Park. I hate to give away my secret, but Commons Park is the best place to see about 5 different fire works shows on the Fourth of July. I always meet so many nice people there!

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by kristenfromdenver

I think Commons Park is an excellent place for people to congregate. It's right along the platte river, which is great to sit beside, there are lots of dogs swimming in there. There are always tons of people having picnics there. It's right next to Zengo, a coffee shop, wine store, pet supply store and is just a block away from Lodo. The Taste of Puerto Rico Festival is held annually at Cuernavaca Park, which is just south of Commons Park. I hate to give away my secret, but Commons Park is the best place to see about 5 different fire works shows on the Fourth of July. I always meet so many nice people there!

Now you've done it! LOL!