If you happen to find yourself on the west side of Colorado Springs, stop by Pinon Valley Park for a good time. The beautiful, open park is tucked between the Mountain Shadows neighborhood and Ute Valley Park. I hadn’t been over in that area since the fire; the scorched mountainside is a grim reminder of our wild summer. (I, for one, am glad that fallish weather has arrived!) For the more adventurous types, Ute Valley Park is covered in trails for a more rugged playtime. Watch out for wildlife, though, this area is notorious for deer, bears and even the occasional mountain lion!
Pinon Valley Park’s playground is very nice (expect the typical mulch base). It includes two play sets (the larger one has three slides next to each other, perfect for kiddos who have to do everything together), four swings, a sand box and a faded (yet very popular nonetheless) car spring rider. A great feature is a step-like angled climbing wall to the top–even my two year old could get up almost all on his own, and that, of course, was thrilling. The sand box was the most popular attraction on the afternoon we played here. We arrived just before the after-school crowd of local kids rode their bikes over, and on this particular warm day they all convened over the sand box. Across the field, a son and his dad were throwing a football before practice started. There is a small basketball court and a baseball diamond. And for picnics or parties, this park offers a pavilion with four picnic tables and even a charcoal grill. Hope you can fit some time in your busy school schedules for some play time!
Address: 5585 Mule Deer Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919
Bathrooms: Yes
Sports facilities: Yes
Sandbox: Yes
Sidewalk path for bike riding: Yes
