See Why This Colorado Park Was Named ‘Best New Playground’

Westword Denver recently released its annual 'Best of Denver' awards, and one particular new attraction just outside one of Colorado's most beloved museums is catching the attention of parents throughout the state after being named 'Best New Playground.'

Read More: What’s the Story Behind Colorado’s Dirty Woman Creek Park? |

Nature Play opened last fall on a four-acre parcel of land just south of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Since then, it has become a favorite for parents and children, and because it's free of charge, many families have made fond memories there even without buying admission to the museum.

Get our free mobile app

Keep scrolling to take a virtual tour of what Westword Denver readers have crowned 2025's Best New Playground:

In case you're not familiar with it, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is located just east of the heart of downtown Denver and is a stone's throw from the Denver Zoo on 2001 Colorado Boulevard.

Nature Play is unique in a number of ways and is immediately eye-catching due to the large sculpture of a Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep at the center. The representation of Colorado's official state animal isn't just for show, as children are able to actually climb into it and enjoy the slide that juts out of its belly.

In addition, likely due to the playground's location on the same property as the museum, there are educational plaques all over the park with fun facts scrawled upon them in both English and Spanish.

Check out all of this year's winners on Westword Denver's official website.