Monument Valley Park in Colorado Springs is a beautiful 164-acre stretch of green that runs parallel to Monument Creek and Interstate 25.
Mature trees, a babbling creek, water foul, and fantastic views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range give this park its idyllic setting even though its only blocks from downtown.
In 1907, thanks to General Palmer's generosity and desire to make Colorado Springs a unique and beautiful place to live and visit, Monument Valley Park was born.
Palmer's vision was to have sweeping vistas and plenty of recreational area, but also to maintain the influence of traditional English gardens. Looks like he succeeded.
THE LAY OF THE LAND
The south end begins at Bijou Street, runs right past the Colorado College campus, splits the park at Uintah Street, then continues north to around Madison Street.
A 2 mile long north-south park, Monument Valley stretches along the banks of a rushing creek, with over 8 miles of gravel walks for hiking and biking along the way.
All of this space makes Monument Valley Park a perfect place to get some lunchtime exercise, take a sunset stroll, or sit on a bench under a shade tree and just enjoy the beauty of Colorado Springs.
But that's a lot of park! Which part should I visit first?
SOUTH END
The south end of Monument Valley is the most popular in summer, in part because there are tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic shelters, a playground, a bike & pedestrian path over I-25, and a parking lot for easy access.
But most importantly, there is a swimming pool...
The Monument Valley Municpal Swimming Pool is a great relief during those roasty Colorado summers. For a fee you can have access to the bath house, changing/restroom facilities, and the cool waters of the swimming pool. Parents will appreciate lifeguards on duty as well as the wrought-iron fence surrounding the pool grounds.
Special Events are also held in the southern half of the park. The Friends of Monument Valley Park host Music Mondays, bringing live bands to the West Lawn Monday evenings. Located just below the the Fine Arts Center, the concerts happen throughout the summer.
Another event is the Horticultural Art Society's gigantic annual garden sale held in the Demonstration Gardens by the Mesa Road parking lot.
Things to Discover: The duck pond and picnic area, where you'll see not only ducks, but geese too and maybe even a crane if you're lucky. Venture north to visit the Sun Dial and Heritage Gardens.
NORTH END
The north end of Monument Valley Park is all about open space. The wide open grassy sections make for a great place to sprawl out in the sun. Many Colorado College students can be seen here, studying and lounging.
Frisbees and remote control airplanes find their way through these skies. Not to mention baseballs and softballs, as there is a field here complete with backstop and bleachers.
You'll also find a playground with swings and a slide, and restrooms nearby, so it's a great place for you to bring your youngsters.
It's also a nice place to play fetch with your dog. On the farthest northern end of the park, the tree-lined Boddington Field (which is set up as a soccer field) frequently has lots of canine activity.
Other Things to Discover—unique geological column, cozy park benches hidden along strategic lookouts, Historic entry feature.
Fitness People: If you like to track your progress as you exercise, the Greenway Trail system marks off 1/2 mile increments with stone posts, making your own personal time trials very easy. A set of three pull-up bars near Boddington Field on the north end is a nice place to stop and test your upper body strength.
Keep in mind: the park runs parallel to I-25 and a railroad, so there is the constant white noise of traffic going by. But in our experience, it's not much of a hassle.
Getting There:The easiest way to access the south end of Monument Valley Park is to get on Cascade Ave downtown and turn west on Cache La Poudre, which turns into Mesa Road. If you'd like to enter on the north end, take Cascade Ave up to Fontanero, turn west (towards the mountains) and follow that until it turns into Culebra Ave. At this point you'll see a small parking lot.
South End parking lot: 220 Mesa Rd. North End parking lot: Intersection of W Fontanero St & Culebra Ave.
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