Bancroft Park is the historic heart of Old Colorado City — a one-block square of green space along Colorado Avenue that has served as a community gathering place since the neighborhood’s founding in 1859. Renovated in 2020, it’s one of the most lively and event-filled neighborhood parks in the city.
Features
Bandshell (reservable for performances and events)
Playground
Picnic shelter and picnic tables
Trail/sidewalk path
Flower gardens
Historic Dr. Garvin log cabin (circa 1867)
Historical marker and displays
Award-winning self-cleaning restrooms (named America’s Best Restroom in 2020)
Wheelchair accessible
What to Expect Bancroft Park is far more than a patch of grass — it’s the cultural hub of Old Colorado City and one of the most charming and active neighborhood parks in Colorado Springs. On any given weekend you might find a farmers market, live music, an art walk, or a community festival. Surrounded by boutique shops, galleries, and restaurants, it’s a perfect spot to anchor a full afternoon in one of the city’s most beloved historic neighborhoods.
Don’t Miss
Territory Days — one of the largest annual festivals in Colorado Springs, held right in the park every Memorial Day weekend
Old Colorado City Saturday Farmers Market — running June through October
Free summer concerts at the bandshell
History Colorado City was founded in 1859 — before Colorado Springs even existed — and briefly served as the first capital of the Territory of Colorado. Bancroft Park occupies what was the original town square. A historic log cabin from that era still stands in the park today. The neighborhood was annexed into Colorado Springs in 1917 and designated a National Historic District in 1983. The park was named for Hubert Howe Bancroft, a prolific 19th-century western history writer, after whose name the former Bancroft School on the site was also named.
Plan Your Visit
Location: 2408 W. Colorado Ave. (W. Colorado Ave. & S. 24th St.), Old Colorado City
Parking: Street parking on Colorado Ave. and surrounding streets
Hours: Open daily Fees: Free
Antlers Park (City of Colorado Springs)
Antlers Park is a 3.4-acre historic downtown green space nestled beside the iconic Antlers Hotel — one of the most storied landmarks in Colorado Springs. With views of Pikes Peak framed by shade trees and open lawns, it’s a quiet and scenic retreat right in the heart of the city.
Features
Historic locomotive on display
Large group picnic shelter (reservable)
Picnic tables and open green space
Shaded walking paths and sidewalk loop
Restrooms
Dog park (separate fenced area with small and large dog zones, synthetic turf, play amenities, and dog water station)
Wheelchair accessible
What to Expect A peaceful, historically rich park that’s perfect for a lunch break, a casual stroll, or letting the dog run. The park has a relaxed, unhurried feel — more of a scenic respite than an active recreation hub — and the backdrop of the Antlers Hotel and Pikes Peak views make it one of the more photogenic spots in downtown.
History Antlers Park has been part of downtown Colorado Springs since the early 1900s, originally designed as a landscaped arrival gateway for travelers stepping off the train at the nearby Denver and Rio Grande Railroad depot. The park takes its name from the Antlers Hotel, first built by city founder General William Jackson Palmer in 1883 and a downtown landmark ever since. The park is one of three historic downtown parks — along with Acacia and Alamo Square — included in the city’s Downtown Historic Parks Master Plan.
Plan Your Visit
Location: 31 W. Pikes Peak Ave. (W. Pikes Peak Ave. & Sierra Madre St.), Downtown Colorado Springs
Parking: Metered street parking nearby; parking garage adjacent
Hours: Open daily Fees: Free
Acacia Park (City of Colorado Springs)
Acacia Park is Colorado Springs’ oldest and most beloved downtown park — a 3.7-acre historic green space donated by city founder General William Jackson Palmer in 1871 and reimagined in recent years with major improvements.
Features
Uncle Wilber Fountain (interactive splash pad with moving sculpture)
Ninja-style climbing structure and tot lot playground (completed 2022)
Bandshell with summer concerts
Shuffleboard courts (open June–mid August)
Outdoor ice skating rink (November–January)
Picnic tables and shade trees
Acacia Park Visitor Hub
Story Coffee (on-site coffee shop)
Wheelchair accessible
What to Expect A lively, year-round community gathering place in the heart of downtown, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and mountain views. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, letting the kids loose on the climbing structure, cooling off at the fountain in summer, or lacing up skates in winter, there’s always something going on at Acacia Park.
History Donated to the city in 1871, Acacia Park is the first park ever established in Colorado Springs. It has served as a gathering place for the community for more than 150 years and recently underwent a major renovation as part of the Downtown Historic Parks Improvement Project.
Plan Your Visit
Location: 115 E. Platte Ave. / Corner of Tejon St. & Platte Ave., Downtown Colorado Springs
Parking: Metered street parking on all four sides of the park
Hours: Open daily
Fees: Free (ice skating and shuffleboard may have nominal fees)
Explorer Park (City of Colorado Springs)
Explorer Park is a 7.3-acre Briargate neighborhood park with a mix of recreation features and pedestrian-friendly design in northeastern Colorado Springs.
Features
Playground
Inline hockey court
Picnic shelter
Walking paths throughout the park
Natural Area
Trail connection to Briargate Trail
What to Expect A well-designed park with a balance of active recreation and walkable space for families and neighbors.
Plan Your Visit Location: 4260 Bardot Dr. Parking: Street parking available Hours: Sunrise to sunset Fees: Free
Candleflower Park (City of Colorado Springs)
Candleflower Park is a 5-acre neighborhood park designed for everyday use and easy access in northeastern Colorado Springs.
Features
Playground
Open play area
Walkways throughout the park
Access to the Briargate Trail
What to Expect A walkable neighborhood park with simple amenities, ideal for families and casual outdoor time.
Plan Your Visit Location: 7690 Contrails Dr. Parking: Street parking nearby Hours: Sunrise to sunset Fees: Free
Boulder Park (City of Colorado Springs)
Boulder Park is a 7.2-acre community park near downtown and Memorial Hospital – Central, offering a variety of sports fields and open areas.
Features
Playground
Basketball court
Baseball/softball field
Football/soccer field
Open space for informal recreation
Rare trees planted around the park
Interpretive signage
What to Expect A larger neighborhood park that supports both organized sports and everyday use, with plenty of room to spread out.
Plan Your Visit Location:1210 E. Boulder St. Parking: Street parking nearby Hours: Sunrise to sunset Fees: Free
Thorndale Park
What a history! Thorndale Park was once the Town of Ramona. Once considered the “City of Sin”, Ramona was incorporated as a counter to the temperance movement of the early 20th century.
Recreation and Activities
Thorndale park has plenty of features for families including play equipment, numerous picnic tables, a basketball and tennis court and a large open field for kids to romp. Large old trees provide plenty of shade during the hot summer months.
History
To fully appreciate the fascinating history of both Thorndale Park and the Town of Ramona it preceded, stop at the interpretive sign at the corner of 24th St. and Uinta St. You’ll get a better understanding of the complex history of the area.
Plan Your Visit
Location: 2310 W. Uintah St. The park can be accessed either along Uinta St. or along the side streets: 24th and 23rd Sts. Parking: Street parking is available on Uinta, 23rd or 24th. Accessibility ramps are located at the corners of 24th and 23rd. Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk. Fees: No entry fee. Tips:
The ramada must be reserved through the Parks Department (719) 385-5940
The restrooms are closed during the winter months. Check and restroom closures on the City Parks Website
Sondermann Park
Sondermann Park is a peaceful neighborhood and open space park on the west side of Colorado Springs. This scenic corridor features creekside habitat, open lawns, and trail access, offering a quiet escape close to downtown and Old Colorado City.
Recreation
The park is popular for walking, jogging, dog walking, birdwatching, and casual cycling along soft-surface paths. Open grassy areas provide space for wildlife viewing, relaxation, and informal play, while shaded sections near the creek offer cool resting spots during warmer months.
Trails and Connections
Sondermann Park provides direct access to the Mesa Valley Trail. This serves as a connection to the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail. The park also serves as a gateway to nearby environmental education facilities and neighborhood routes. Inside the park, a variety of trails through diverse habitat are present. Trails: Bluestem Trail, Mesa Valley Trail, West Fork Trail , Creekside Trail, Lilac Trail, Western Loop, South Park Loop.
Wildlife and Scenery
The creek and wetlands attract ducks, songbirds, herons, beavers and other wildlife throughout the year. Cottonwood trees, native grasses, and riparian vegetation create a natural landscape that changes with the seasons. Larger wildlife, such as coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats and black bears frequent the area. The area is especially popular for early-morning walks and nature photography.
History
The park is named in honor of Paul Sondermann, a longtime conservation advocate who played a key role in protecting local waterways and open spaces. Its preservation reflects the community’s commitment to maintaining healthy creek corridors and accessible green spaces.
Plan Your Visit
Location: 740 W. Caramillo St., Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Parking: Limited parking available near trailhead and adjacent streets Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset Fees: Free
Tips: Bring water and sun protection, and watch for cyclists on shared-use paths. Stay on designated trails to help protect creekside habitat.
