Jun 21, 2024 - Things to Do

Park of the Week: La Alma Lincoln Park

Esteban L. Hernandez

A colorful set of buildings next to a mural depicting indigenous people. — La Alma-Lincoln Park and Recreation Center in Denver. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images

The sprawling green space known as La Alma Lincoln Park sits in one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, one that traces its roots to the 1870s.

The vibe: This is the place to host your weekend carne asada — a cookout — and fit just about everyone in your family. Bring your Bluetooth speaker.

Fun fact: The park played a role in the Chicano Movement, which advocated for equal rights for Chicanos and Mexican-Americans.

The area served as a space for walkouts in 1969 organized by Denver West High School students protesting what they saw as a lack of respect for their cultural heritage in their classrooms, according to Historic Denver.

If you go: Take a moment to enjoy the mural outside the rec center, a grand piece titled "La Alma" by local artist Emanuel Martinez.

The piece was commissioned by the city and completed in 1978. It pays homage to the Indigenous ancestry shared by many people of Mexican descent.

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

Address: 1265 Mariposa St.

Amenities: An amphitheater, basketball courts, playground, picnic areas, tennis courts, skate park, softball fields and a rec center.

Read more: Park of the Week: Observatory Park

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Park of the Week: La Alma Lincoln Park

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