Palmer Park
@teamfreak16 (43617)
Denver, Colorado
May 14, 2017 9:49pm CST
You see those rocks? Those rocks are actually part of a hiking trail, The Edna Mae Bennett Nature Trail, which is just one section of a 25 mile trail network inside Palmer Park, located in the middle of Colorado Springs.
The 730 acre park was donated to the city in 1902, by General William Jackson Palmer, founder of Colorado Springs.
The trail network hosts runners, hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The trails offer something for every skill level, from easy, to, as you can see from the photo, technically difficult.
In addition to all of those trails, Palmer Park offers a dog run/park, two softball fields, a football/soccer field, three volleyball courts, a playground, a horse stable, and several picnic areas.
Nature lovers can see yucca plants, Gamble oak, pinon pine, and Ponderosa pine, as well as rabbits, coyotes, foxes, snakes, mule deer, and sometimes, even bears. Birders can hope to spot hawks, ravens, towhees, magpies, pygmy nuthatches, and chickadees, while geology fans can find topaz, jasper, tourmaline, and quartz.
I have spent years running, hiking, and mountain biking those trails, and many hours just hanging out. And to think it's all right in the middle of the city. Thank you, General Palmer!
(Photo by me)
(Video by some dude on a mountain bike, and a good indication of some of the areas of the park)
(Info verified by Wikipedia)
Was a nice day so decided to head to Palmer Park.
11 people like this
13 responses
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
15 May 17
those rocks remind me of the river in my parent's hometown.
from your description, palmer park has something for everyone. it's hard not to appreciate and take advantage of them if the park is right in the middle of the city.
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
You have to take advantage. My high school cross country team did a lot of our training in there.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
15 May 17
@teamfreak16 i think General William Jackson Palmer had a lot of foresight when he planned colorado springs. does he have descendants still living there?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
@hereandthere - You know, I honestly don't know. I assume so, but I am not sure.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
16 May 17
@teamfreak16 That's pretty cool! I quickly looked it up and saw some winter photos - I guess it snows there too!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
16 May 17
I've been going in there since 1980, so I've been on every trail and road at some point. Yep, you get inside and it's very easy to forget that you're in the middle of a city.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
16 May 17
@much2say - Oh, yes of course. And the trails are still usable most days after a snow.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
15 May 17
I am not good with rocks. I am scared I'll fall, or trip.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
15 May 17
@teamfreak16 I will take the easier route. :) My health care sucks right now so I don't want to end up in the hospital from falling or breaking a leg =)
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
Not all of the trails are like that. Some are harder, but some are much easier.
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
@infatuatedbby - That can be a risk with outdoor activities.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 May 18
@teamfreak16 We've had a few bodies found in Kings Park too.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
7 May 18
I've been hanging out there since I moved here in 1980. Very relaxing place, although a teenager was shot in there last week.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
8 May 18
@JudyEv - He doesn't know where he was in the park or who it was that shot him. Haven't heard any updates, so no idea if he was targeted or if it was random.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 May 17
I would love to look for the gems. I was only in Blouder, Co. we went to the Dam.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
I've probably seen every one of those gems without even realizing it.
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
15 May 17
Sounds like there is alot to enjoy for those whom enjoy nature and like hiking
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
There is. Get in there and you forget that you're in the middle of a city.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
15 May 17
I'd enjoy walking / hiking there for sure
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
It's one of my favorite places.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
15 May 17
@teamfreak16 understandable from the photo and youtube
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
There's no river in here, but great views of the nearby mountains from the trails.
1 person likes this
@hostessman (11871)
• Tucson, Arizona
15 May 17
sounds like a great place but i don't think i want to hike on those rocks
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
Some of the trails are much easier than that. Edna Mae is kind of technical.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 May 17
What a great gift to the future that was. Portland has a huge forest park that is great to hike in.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 May 17
@teamfreak16 Beautiful there for sure.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
17 May 17
General Palmer seemed a very forward thinking man. If I ever get to Portland, you know I'm going to be all over that.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
15 May 17
You don't ride those rocks do you?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
Those I hike! I've seen guys do it, but not me.
1 person likes this
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
16 May 17
@teamfreak16 I should say so! It looks rather rough.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
16 May 17
@Telynor - And it's got a couple short, steep climbs.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
16 May 17
That one is not an easy trail. "Nature Trail" is a bit misleading in this case.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
9 May 18
Boy you have so many outdoor activities to do in Colorado. That is some multifaceted park you've got there! BTW- have you found another homestead yet or still camping?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
9 May 18
We're still camping. We're in a motel right now, my girlfriend works at a hotel less than a mile away from here, so we're here for convenience.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43617)
• Denver, Colorado
10 May 18
@dgobucks226 - I'll definitely have to keep those in mind. Thanks!
1 person likes this
