Central Park Parents

Join the new Dragon Dash 5K and have a roaring good time in Central Park!

2023-10-23T12:47:00.002-06:00

There's a brand-new 5K in our neighborhood! The Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk is at 10:00 a.m. on November 5, 2023, in Central Park in Denver.

Organized by and benefiting Isabella Bird Community School, this annual, family-friendly event is open to the community, and all ages and fitness levels are welcome! You can run for time, run for fun, walk, skip, dance. They encourage you to bring your good energy & wear a festive outfit.

For you more serious runners, this event is professionally timed and on an official 5K course. For 2023, they partnered with 3W Races.

**No dogs. For participant safety, no bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades. Strollers or wagons being operated by adult participants are allowed.

What: Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk

When: Sunday, November 5, 2023, 10:00 a.m.

Where: Central Park, 8801 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Denver, CO 80238 (see route)

Cost: $25 for ages 12+ until November 2nd
Kids 0-4 are free and 5-11 are $15

Registration/Questions: runsignup.com/Race/CO/Denver/IsabellaBird

Can you help the vulnerable at the border this holiday season?

2022-12-06T17:19:00.005-07:00

Border Kindness provides asylum-seekers, migrants, refugees, and the displaced with comprehensive services that include food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and legal services, and they need your help to provide food to the most vulnerable at the border this holiday season!

Food needs include both holiday meals and ongoing food support. In the last four years, Border Kindness has provided more than half a million meals to populations in need of food. They must purchase and prepare food on the Mexico side so financial donations are what is most needed at this time.

If you are interested in supporting, following, or joining them in this work please visit https://borderkindness.org/ and consider making a donation using your favorite e-method:

Venmo @Border-Kindness
PayPal or Zelle using “info@borderkindness.org”
Cash App at $borderkindnesscash

With gratitude from and in solidarity with those at the border, they truly appreciate you. 🙏🏽❤️

Take advantage of special Cirque du Soleil tickets during Cirque week!

2022-06-22T13:24:00.002-06:00

Cirque du Soleil is celebrating its 38th anniversary with a special ticket price promotion on ALL touring shows during Cirque Week, now through June 26th! Tickets are starting at $39 and $29 for children on select price levels.

Cirque du Soleil's OVO will perform in Colorado in three nearby locations:

Budweiser Events Center in Loveland from August 26th to 28th, 2022
Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs from September 1st to 4th, 2022
Ball Arena in Denver from September 8th to 11th, 2022

For more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com

Get Kids to Play Outside this Summer with Generation Wild!

2022-05-28T14:11:00.004-06:00

Generation Wild's new campaign to reconnect kids with nature by increasing the amount of time they spend outside in unstructured play, 99 Days Outdoors: A Wilder Summer, kicks off Sunday, May 30th! The campaign aims to inspire parents across Colorado to get their kids outdoors this summer by providing accessible, achievable ideas for spending time outside. Generation Wild’s popular part goat, part yeti, all friend mascot, Wilder, will return for an epic 99-day adventure across the state making appearances in Colorado communities and showcasing different ways to spend time outdoors.

“Kids are spending less time outdoors – and more time on screens and in structured activities – than ever before, and Generation Wild is on a mission to change that,” said GOCO Executive Director Jackie Miller. “Parents are busy! The goal for this year’s campaign is to provide 99 days of ideas that help them find inspiration for unstructured outdoor play so their kids can get outside every single day and have a blast doing it.”

Generation Wild will share daily inspiration with parents and a ton of ideas that will help kids and their families have “A Wilder Summer.” Examples of activities stem from the 100 Things To Do Before You’re 12 list and include:

Build a fort
See what’s hiding under a rock
Tightrope walk on a log
Find shapes in the clouds

The campaign begins on May 30 with an official send-off as Wilder heads out on his 99-day tour across the amazing land known as Colorado. Wilder will showcase our state's magical outdoor activities from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, with stops in cities and mountain towns along the way. He will make appearances in communities at special Generation Wild events including:

June 4: Get Outdoors Day (Colorado Springs)
June 21: Generation Wild Day (Grand Junction) - To encourage kids to get outdoors, Wilder has set up a scavenger hunt and has hidden 32 golden water bottles across every region of Colorado. Beginning on Monday, June 20, Generation Wild will be posting clues on social media for the scavenger hunt that begins on June 21. Messaging inside the bottle will reveal the prize won. Prizes include stickers, pencils, CPW park passes, zoo tickets and more. To help track winners, each water bottle will include an Apple Air Tag that can be disconnected and discarded after it is found. Winners are encouraged to post a photo with the prize to Facebook or Instagram @GenerationWildColorado and to be entered to win a grand prize.
July 30: World Record Hopscotch Event (Denver/Aurora)

Generation Wild will attempt to beat the record for the world’s largest hopscotch, which currently stands at 4.2 miles. With the help of the community, Generation Wild will seek to create the longest contiguous hopscotch as well as the most people hopscotching at one time along Denver’s High Line Canal.

Families are encouraged to follow along on social media to see what Wilder is up to as he explores destinations that are off the beaten path and shares treasures from every corner of the state.

“99 Days Outdoors will take families through every nook and cranny of Colorado,” said Miller. “From rural to urban, we’re highlighting unique aspects of Colorado that will inspire ideas for getting outdoors anywhere and everywhere.”

Generation Wild was created by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to reconnect kids with nature by increasing the amount of time they spend outside in unstructured play – the kind of play that used to be way more common. The program is an integrated, statewide effort supported by a statewide network of non-profit, public, and private partner organizations. In 12 Colorado communities, diverse, locally based Generation Wild coalitions are creating equitable access to the outdoors with new places to play, outdoor programs, and pathways to leadership opportunities and jobs in the outdoors.

For more information, follow Generation Wild on Facebook and Instagram. #GenerationWild #99DaysOutdoors

ABOUT GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created when voters approved a Constitutional Amendment in 1992, GOCO has since funded more than 5,500 projects in urban and rural areas in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support. Visit GOCO.org for more information.

Local Recycling Resources for Earth Day

2022-04-22T14:09:00.005-06:00

This Earth Day, we're once again reminded how essential it is—more so now than ever—to take care of our planet. Today we share some recycling resources to keep our community green and help the Earth.

Ridwell and The Happy Beetle

Do you want to recycle everything but can't put it all in the bin? Recycling services Ridwell (Seattle-based) and The Happy Beetle (Denver-based) not only recycle difficult items for you, they also pick everything up right from your front door! Styrofoam, damaged clothing, batteries, plastic film, electronics, wine corks, baby food pouches, and even seasonal items such as Christmas lights - both services keep these items out of the landfill.

They're both subscription-based and you can choose your pickup frequency. See what Ridwell takes as opposed to what The Happy Beetle takes. Ridwell's prices are location-based, so enter your ZIP code to learn more - they pick up every other week. The Happy Beetle picks up either monthly or quarterly, so which you choose may depend on how much stuff your household generates that could be recycled.

The Front Porch did a nice article on these two companies in 2021 if you'd like to know more.

The City of Denver

Denver does a fantastic job of picking up our big purple recycling bins every other week. Use of these bins is not what the city would like it to be, so the city has a new plan that's currently being considered that would charge residents for regular trash but make recycling pick up a weekly occurrence and would make composting bins free and give one to every household (right now this service costs about $100/year and is only by request). They hope to make this happen by 2027, which gives us time to adjust our habits. About 30,000 households currently have compost bins - learn more and sign up for composting here.

For now, we can make sure everything that can go in our purple bins gets recycled. Do you know what can and can't go in the bins? The full list is here, and the Denver Post put together solutions to some common recycling mistakes that we make. We can do better!

The city also offers seasonal services such as LeafDrop in the fall, Treecycling and Holiday Light Recycling during the holidays, and GrassCycling and a free Mulch Giveaway in the spring. They also work with Denver Public Schools to recycle and compost at 170 schools, serving more than 90,000 students.

Retail Stores

Most grocery stores have bins for clean plastic bags, including King Soopers, Safeway, Target, Walmart, and others. King Soopers even has a new Terracycling plan for its hard-to-recycle packaging.

Several stores have mini-recycling centers that accept other non-purple-bin items, so dropping off your recycling is easy and convenient. Here are a few we know of:

Target: plastic bags, glass, plastic bottles, aluminum, MP3 players, cellphones, and ink cartridges

Walmart: plastic bags and bottles

Home Depot: rechargeable batteries, cardboard, CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs), and lead acid battery cores

Lowe's: plastic bags, CFL bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and cellphones; also plastic planter pots and cases in the garden center

Best Buy: TVs (some have a small fee), cables, DVD players/VCRs, headphones, computers and peripherals, tablets/ereaders, monitors (for a small fee), ink cartridges, phones (any kind), calculators, chargers, shredders, fans, vacuums, and more

Ace Hardware: batteries, paint, light bulbs (varies by store - call to check)

Other Recycling Resources

You can always drop off other recycling as you're out and about. Sometimes people will let their neighbors know when they're going to a recycling center in local Facebook groups and offer to take things for others (holiday lights, for example). These are the centers closest to Central Park:

Metal: Denver Metal Recycling, 820 S. Monaco Pkwy Suite 276, Denver, CO 80224

Electronics: Genesis Electronics Recycling of Colorado, 2045 S Valentia St. Unit 15, Denver, CO 80231

Computers with life left: PCs for People, 6035 E 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80207

Know of other great local resources? Let us know in the comments!

Westword’s Tacolandia is back!

2022-03-16T08:25:00.005-06:00

The first round of restaurants has been announced for Tacolandia, the taco festival of the year!

Join them on Saturday, June 4, at Civic Center Park in the heart of downtown Denver for unlimited tacos from 40 plus taquerias and Mexican restaurants, live mariachi, lucha libre, beverage sampling, and more!

The first participating restaurants include:

3 Margaritas
Bellota
Cabrón Carbón
Casa Cortés
Chile con Quesadilla
Dee Tacko
El Jefe
El Reparo Mexican Grill
La Diabla
Las Delicias
Los Molinos
Migrante Concept
Moya’s Tacos
Necio
Que Bueno Suerte!
Street Side Eats
Taco Block
Tacos Tequila Whiskey
Teocali Cantina
Work & Class
XATRUCHO

With more to come! Check out the current lineup.

Ticket prices start at $30 during presale through Saturday, March 19! After that, general admission prices apply.

WHERE:

Civic Center Park, 1480 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202

TICKETS:

Presales Start: March 15 @ 10 a.m.

Presales End: March 18 @ 11:59 p.m.

Public Sales Start: 3/19 @ 10 a.m.

Get your tickets at etix.com

TICKET HOLDERS WILL RECEIVE:

VIP - Presale/Early Bird ($55): Includes early access to the event at 3 p.m., unlimited taco samples from 40 plus taquerias and Mexican restaurants, a special VIP area featuring exclusive food samples from VIP restaurants, and two drink tickets redeemable at VIP bars.

GA - Presale/Early Bird ($30): Includes entry into the event at 4 p.m., unlimited taco samples from 40 plus taquerias and Mexican restaurants, drink samples from beverage partners, live entertainment, and full cocktails for purchase.

More information is available at westwordtacolandia.com

Guests must be 21+, with valid ID

A portion of the proceeds benefits the Civic Center Conservancy

Spring Break unplugged at YMCA of the Rockies and Snow Mountain Ranch

2022-03-08T10:42:00.001-07:00

YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park and Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby offer affordable Spring Break vacations in the mountains this month. Both properties feature beautiful views, private pet-friendly cabins and lodge rooms with family-friendly floor plans, and fun activities for all ages in walking distance from your room or cabin.

YMCA of the Rockies - Estes Park, Colorado

Join YMCA of the Rockies for an "Out-of-this-World Spring Break!" From March 12 - April 1, Spring Break activities include a space-themed escape room, an indoor star lab, arts and crafts with cosmic slime, astronomy presentations, and counselor-led events, in addition to ongoing activities such as ice skating on a natural pond, guided snowshoe hikes, archery, rock climbing and more.

Located on 860 acres with three sides bordering Rocky Mountain National Park, just a 10-minute drive from Estes Park, YMCA of the Rockies provides the unplugged mountain vacation your family needs - at an affordable price. Pet-friendly cabins start at $109/night and hotel-style lodge room start at $89/night.

Snow Mountain Ranch - Granby, Colorado

Tucked in Granby, Colo., between Winter Park Ski Resort and Rocky Mountain National Park, Snow Mountain Ranch is the ultimate year-round destination to bring families together and enjoy the outdoors. Enjoy warm Spring Break days while still on the snow at the 5,100-acre resort. Snow Mountain Ranch offers plenty of outdoor activities including the treasured Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center led by former Olympic Silver Medalist Todd Lodwick, an incredible dog sledding experience, meet and greets with the adorable dog sled team of Huskies, snowshoeing, ice skating, fat biking, the craft shop and indoor activities at the Kiva Center including, roller skating, rock climbing, archery, swimming and much more.

Accommodations include hotel-style lodge rooms starting at $84 per night and pet-friendly cabins starting at $179 for a 2 bedroom. Reservations for both properties are available online at https://ymcarockies.org/ or by calling 888-613-9622.

Powerful Music for Troubling Times (ticket giveaway!)

2022-02-28T14:12:00.004-07:00

Our friends at The Colorado Choir have another concert this weekend - "Songs of Love and Loss." They were supposed to sing this concert in mid-March of 2020, but we all know what happened there. Everything shut down the day after their dress rehearsal.

Needless to say, they're thrilled to sing this music for us now! The group has been around for 40 years, and this is the first time they've ever commissioned an original song: the brand-new work "Abandon" by Z. Randall Stroope. The choir has sung several of his pieces before and really connects with his work (see video below).

Two of the songs are a tribute to Ukraine: "Prayer of the Children" by Kurt Bestor and "Earth Song" by Frank Ticheli. Just try not to cry.

***As a special promotion for Central Park Parents readers, they're giving us two tickets to either Friday or Saturday night's concert. Just share the post about this article on CPP's Facebook page with your friends to enter - the drawing will be held Thursday at noon.***

What: Songs of Love and Loss

When: Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for students/seniors/military [ click here to purchase ]

Welcome Christmas this weekend with The Colorado Choir

2021-12-09T19:54:00.004-07:00

Our friends at The Colorado Choir are back to singing! This Friday and Saturday - December 10th and 11th - they're presenting their concert, "Christmas with The Colorado Choir."

Saturday's matinee is sold out but tickets are still available for Friday and Saturday nights. Time for some yuletide carols!

"Christmas with The Colorado Choir" features a program of both traditional and contemporary music featuring works by J.S. Bach, Bob Chilcott, F. Melius Christiansen, and Paul J. Christiansen.

What: Christmas with The Colorado Choir

When: Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Augustana Lutheran Church in Hilltop, 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO 80246

Cost: $20 adults / $15 Students / Seniors / Military

More Info/Purchase Tickets: thecoloradochoir.org

Get your bRUNch on to fight hunger and poverty!

2021-09-28T13:38:00.000-06:00

The bRUNch Run is back on Sunday, October 10 in Central Park after taking a year off due to the pandemic. This race is an annual fundraiser for Denver-based nonprofit Metro Caring. The organization meets people’s immediate food needs while addressing the root cause of hunger: poverty.

This family-friendly race brings together food and fitness with a side of fun. Participants receive a scented finisher’s medal, a pair of goodr sunglasses, bubbles from Korbel or Gruvi, pancake mix from Picky Bars, and a custom commemorative mug. At the finish line we have a small “party” with morning libations and snacks.

When: Sunday, October 10, 2021, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Where: Central Park, 8801 Martin Luther King Blvd, Denver CO 80238

Register: $49 at brunchrunning.com

Let's bRUNch out hunger and poverty!

Stanley Marketplace: Two new businesses and a Netflix Debut

2021-08-25T10:40:00.006-06:00

We think of August as the month of transitions: we gear up for school again, the evenings are beginning to feel cooler, and we’re starting to think about the end of summer. Transitions are also happening at Stanley Marketplace - a new Netflix show featuring one of our own, plus two new businesses!

Yet another food-focused competition is hitting the small screen, but this time, it’s personal. Netflix's Bake Squad recruited local chef Gonzo Jimenez from Stanley’s very own Miette et Chocolat to compete, one of just four talented bakers and pastry chefs from across the nation and hand-picked by the production team. Bake Squad premiered earlier this month, and there are eight episodes for the season. Tune in to Netflix to watch Gonzo push his creativity and show off his pastry chops creating jaw-dropping, over-the-top desserts. You can watch the trailer here.

Vibe Wellness is the new wellness umbrella covering the mind-body-spirit connection. Vibe opened doors at Stanley Marketplace this month, and they offer services from acupuncture to yoga, IV hydration to massage, community workshops, and more to support a well-rounded mind and body. The space is made up of private service rooms, a spa-like lounge, cushiony IV Hydration chairs, and two yoga studios where the team is offering a free yoga class for all abilities on Sundays at 12 p.m.

Pro Tip: Don’t miss the BioCharger, a Subtle Energy Revitalization Platform that bathes your body with 4 energy types to simultaneously to restore strength, stamina, coordination, and mental clarity.

Base Coat Salon owner Tran Wills recently transitioned the space at Stanley Marketplace to a second location of her Matriarch Mercantile store and is inviting all to a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, 8/21. Stop into the modern mercantile inspired by the union of wellness + home and browse the thoughtfully curated offerings and enjoy specials for the day, including discounts from participating Stanley bars for drinks so you may shop and sip to your heart’s content. Other specials include:

Link x Lou permanent-welded jewelry available; appointments encouraged online
20% off all purchases
Stick + poke tattoos
Babe Walls live art

Check out these fantastic new businesses at the Stanley, at 2501 N Dallas Street, Aurora, CO 80010 (NOTE: The Clinton Street entrance is currently closed - use one of the three on Dallas Street.)

Ideas for a COVID-friendly St. Patrick's Day

2021-03-16T12:47:00.004-06:00

This year St. Patrick's Day will be different again, but in many ways some of our traditions will stay the same. Get your Irish on and support these local businesses!

Irish Dancing at Stanley Marketplace

Irish stepdance is a style of dancing with roots steeped in tradition and recognized as the signature step dance of the Irish culture, celebrated on or around St. Patrick’s Day. Traditional music, extraordinary costumes with hidden meanings and incredibly intricate movements are hallmarks of Irish dancing. This year, you can see these dancers performing at Stanley Marketplace (2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora) as performers from Wick School of Irish Dance perform two St. Patrick's Day pop-up dance performances. If the weather cooperates they’ll perform outside on the mountain-facing west patio; if cold or snow prevails each performance will take place inside The Hangar at Stanley:

Wednesday, March 17, 4PM to 4:30PM
Saturday, March 20, 12PM to 12:30PM
Free to attend.
Masks and social distancing are required at Stanley, both indoors and outdoors.

Irish Hand Pies at Elita

For St. Patrick’s Day, Elita at Stanley Marketplace is offering a traditional Irish hand-pie special with minced meat, ale, green pea, and curried veggies. Finish your meal with the special Salted Caramel Pear Cake with cream Anglaise from the specialty market and kitchen with a Mediterranean and Latin American flair. Grab a salad, veggie-packed side, or hummus bowl to round out your Irish meal.

Irish Take-Home Meal by Mondo Market

Mondo Market at Stanley Marketplace is offering an Irish take-home meal for 2 or 4 prepared by chefs for heat and eat at home. The 2-course meals include smoked corned beef with mustard braised cabbage, crispy gold potatoes, and glazed carrots. Finish the meal with a pile of Irish shortbread cookies (6 cookies for 2 people; 12 cookies for 4 people). Order online; meals are $40 for two or $75 for 4; you can also add on items like a House Cheese Board, side salads, and Limoncello Tartufo Gelato for an additional charge.

Irish Grub at Steuben's

Both Steuben’s locations (Uptown and Arvada) are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with dine-in, takeout, and delivery menu specials available Wednesday, 3/17 through Sunday, 3/21. Don’t miss the traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage (photo at top) served with roasted potatoes, the creative Irish Nachos with house-made potato chips, corned beef, braised cabbage, red potatoes, ranch, green onions, and cheddar cheese. For beverages, consider the St. Paddy’s Shake with creme de menthe, Irish cream, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and shortbread cookie. (Option to make it boozy, of course.) For the NA option or the younger set, try the Lucky Green Shake with mint ice cream, fudge sauce, whipped cream, and a shortbread cookie.

Pastrami Reuben at Smōk

St. Pat’s is usually all about the corned beef, but don’t forget the other cut of brined beef: pastrami. Chef/Owner Bill Espiricueta at Smōk (3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver) is offering a special for St. Patrick’s Day: his tender Pastrami Reuben served on Reunion rye bread with swiss cheese, his own thousand island dressing, and sauerkraut. Bill’s pastrami is on special because it’s an intensive creation, the result of a 7-day cure and a 16-hour smoke. Smok’s Pastrami Reubens will be available starting Wednesday, 3/17 and through the weekend as supplies last. Irish whiskey cocktail specials will be on offer as well for a bit o’ the Irish; visit them online or call 720-452-2487 to find out more.

Super St. Paddy's Green 3-course Meal by Whole Sol

Tired of green beer and heavy traditional Irish food on St. Patrick’s Day? Whole Sol has you covered. The two-year-old Colorado frozen smoothie superfood bowl concept suggests a yummy and super-green, super-food packed 3-courses on St. Patrick’s Day. Start with an iced or hot Matcha Latte with pure, raw coconut milk and all organic matcha, then grab the I Like You Matcha bowl with the supercharged green base (kale, banana, pineapple, and matcha), topped with coconut, banana, blueberry, & granola. Round out your Irish-inspired green meal with Matcha Bites: simple with dates, pumpkin seeds, coconut, and vegan vanilla protein, and bright green matcha.

Join The Colorado Choir to Celebrate Spring Safely!

2021-03-11T12:27:00.005-07:00

We've all had to pivot with the pandemic. Things just have to be done differently. Central Park Parents' local musical friend, The Colorado Choir, hasn't been able to sing at all in the past year. They were all ready to perform a concert last March, when - BAM! COVID. No group gathering. ESPECIALLY no group singing.

The group has rolled with the punches and presented a delightful virtual Christmas concert in December that received rave reviews. Though free, the concert served as a fundraiser for the Choir and has helped them survive this difficult year.

They plan to come back and sing for us again live in the fall, but until then they've put together their second virtual concert, called "The Promise of Spring." It's FREE and will be available on YouTube and Facebook the entire month of April. Join them for the premiere of the concert on Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m.

The concert features hopeful and joyful music and imagery to help us all wrap up a difficult year, and promises better times to come as we move into spring and beyond together.

Kelly Parmenter, the Choir's Artistic Director and Conductor, says, “We are so pleased to be able to share some of our favorite songs with our favorite friends. Inhale deeply, and allow yourself to embody The Promise of Spring.”

What: "The Promise of Spring" Virtual Concert

When: Premiering Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m., then online through May 31st

Where: YouTube and Facebook

Cost: Free! Donations are accepted to help keep the group afloat, with incentives for larger donations

More Information: https://thecoloradochoir.org

Listen in and support this fantastic local group and brighten your spring!

Food and goods from Stanley Marketplace delivered to your door!

2020-12-03T10:09:00.001-07:00

In the face of the most daunting holiday season in history when small retailers are dependent on shoppers being in-store, Stanley Marketplace has developed a small business solution: A delivery service for retailers that will deliver gifts and other items purchased from any of the 50+ Stanley Marketplace independent retailers to your door.

StanleyDelivers.com launched last week and offers unique gifts, apparel, accessories, home decor, specialty foods, wine & spirits, and more through a single website. Rather than encouraging shoppers to come to them, Stanley Marketplace will bring the goods to the people. Packages arrive via contactless deliveries made in a Stanley Delivers electric mini-truck (so cute!), created in partnership with local company Gallery Carts. Live outside the 10-mile delivery range? No problem, Stanley Delivers will ship anywhere in the U.S. directly from their website.

Think of it as the most pro-Denver, anti-Amazon thing you can do - a way to buy local without leaving home. Shop for baby gifts from Little Wolf Boutique, cozy lounge pants from Sterre, must-have Danish slippers from Goose & the Goat, a box of fresh-baked empanadas from Maria Empanada, that perfect half-zip sweater for a day of cross-country skiing from Aktiv, and specialty meats and cheeses from Mondo Market for a holiday celebration (or every day). Local, supporting local, supporting local: it’s a win-win-win!

Give the Gift of Food to the Most Vulnerable this Holiday Season

2020-12-01T10:40:00.003-07:00

Holiday expenses overwhelm everyone except the very wealthy, a gap that is wider than ever this year. Our friends at Border Kindness are working hard to provide food throughout the winter and holiday toys to ONE THOUSAND asylum-seeking and vulnerable children and teens and their families.

Border Kindness has launched a GoFundMe campaign to provide food for these families, and there's also a toy list to help them make certain that all children receive a holiday gift this year.

This Giving Tuesday and beyond, can you support them and their efforts to care for those most in need with a donation? Learn more at linktr.ee/borderkindness, and thank you for your generosity!

Order your Thanksgiving meal and support a local restaurant!

2020-11-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Pie by A Spice of Life

Looking for a safe and delicious place to order your Thanksgiving meal? Look no further - Central Park Parents has you covered! Check out the amazing-sounding options from several local restaurants below, get your order in soon, stay safe, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Steuben’s Arvada

Chef Jeff Stoneking, formerly of Cholon and Rosenberg's, will be appearing as Guest Chef at Steuben's Arvada. Chef Stoneking has prepared a delicious 7-course Thanksgiving meal for $175, which serves 4 - 6 people. For each meal served, Steuben’s will donate a Thanksgiving Meal to Arvada Community Table. Stoneking’s meal includes Thanksgiving Turkey, Sourdough & Cornbread Dressing, Grandma’s Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Green Bean Casserole, Buttermilk Whipped Potatoes, Cranberry Relish, Pumpkin Spiced Cobbler, and the option to add red or white Vesta wines.

Order by: November 18

Pick up: Steuben’s Arvada, 7355 Ralston Rd., Arvada, on November 25 between 3pm and 6pm

Order online at https://www.exploretock.com/steubensfoodservice/

Ace Eat Serve

Leave the cooking to the Ace Eat Serve team and pre-order a Peking Duck for the Thanksgiving holiday. Why not change things up for 2020 and enjoy duck instead of traditional turkey this year? The Peking Duck platter is $49 and serves 3-4 guests - includes a whole duck, mu shu crepes, pickled peppers, scallions, cucumber, apricot, chili sauce, and hoisin.

Order by: November 19

Pick up: Ace Eat Serve, 501 E. 17th Ave, Denver

Smok

Chef Bill Espiricueta at Smok is well-known for his regionally-inspired barbecue and for the first time this year, his team is offering a Smoked Turkey Dinner to-go that features Smok favorites for a holiday celebration at home. Dinner serves 4-5 people and includes a 5-pound smoked turkey breast, two quarts of southern-inspired potato salad that’s spicy with deviled eggs, bacon, and mustard; two quarts of Smok’s pit beans with brisket and pork and cheddar jalapeno cornbread with honey butter. The turkey comes smoked and ready for simple reheating at home; don’t forget to pick up one of Chef Bill’s famous full-size holiday pecan pies: they’re gorgeous with flaky golden pastry crusts and a touch of savory – Bill’s signature – on each, with an elegant dollop of crème fraîche to finish.

Order by: November 23

Pick up: Smok, 3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver

Please call 720-452-2487 to reserve your dinner

Bellotta

Brand new in the Source and occupying Acorn’s previous space, Bellota is offering Chef Manny’s Mexican mole chicken for Thanksgiving – and any time. Always available as an entrée on the regular menu, the Pollo en Mole Negro will also be offered as a special for those looking to change things up a bit for the holiday. Think a whole chicken, Chef Manny’s 27-ingredient family-recipe Mole Negro, tortillas, and sides of rice and beans to serve 4. This feast is $49, and don’t forget to pick up a large format jar of margaritas “todos los vaqueros” for $40.

Pick up: Belotta, 3350 Brighton Blvd., Denver

Call 720-542-3721 to learn more and to place your order.

A Spice of Life

A Spice of Life offers a Classic Thanksgiving Dinner for families and groups, including roasted turkey breast with rosemary gravy, buttermilk mashed potatoes, garlicky haricot verts, maple whipped sweet potatoes with maple pecan streusel, and Dan’s Famous Stuffing Muffin. Also included are golden dinner rolls with whipped butter and classic cranberry sauce; all this for $175 - it serves 4-6 guests. Remember to add on a housemade pumpkin or apple pie for an extra $20.

Pick up: 5541 Central Ave, #272, Boulder (delivery also available) on Wednesday, 11/25

Call them at 303-443-4049 for more information and to order

Camp Christmas returns - pandemic style!

2020-10-20T15:40:00.001-06:00

A pesky thing like a pandemic can't stop Christmas!

This year, the popular Camp Christmas immersive experience can be accessed from the comfort of your own home! Starting at $10, customers (otherwise known as “campers”) can access online content and receive up to five delivered packages that come with a wide variety of Christmas-themed activities.

The digital experience of Camp Christmas will take place starting November 12 on a web-based app where campers can explore an expansive fictional land, featuring fantastical places such as Sweetsville, Fairy Forest, and Treehouse Village. Each location will feature multimedia content about the stories, history, and traditions surrounding the season as well as in-home activities to complete. Campers can earn badges and track their progress as they complete activities in the app. Daily broadcasts counting down to Christmas will take place in the app starting in December.

The starter package, called “Base Camp,” includes access to the web app, special events, and a few materials mailed to homes to get participants started. Campers can also purchase more robust packages starting at $30, which unlock additional areas of the virtual map with more activities and bonus content, as well as materials to complete the activities.

Camp Christmas, presented by Hanzon Studios in association with DCPA Off-Center, made its debut in 2019 as an in-person experience in the 10,000 ft² Hangar at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora. Nearly 70,000 people visited Camp Christmas, which featured two bars, visits with Santa, and 13 highly Instagrammable Christmas-themed areas.

“Christmas and the joy that comes with it is needed now more than ever,” said creator Lonnie Hanzon. “Following the success of the in-person Camp Christmas last year, I am excited to offer some of that same magic in a way that is totally safe and, hopefully, allows us all to escape from reality for a little while.”

Packages go on sale to the public November 1 and the experience begins November 12. For pre-sale access, including the best prices, sign up today for the Camp Newsletter at camp-christmas.com.

What: Camp Christmas

Where: 100% online

When: November 12, 2020 - January 5, 2021 (tickets go on sale November 1)

Cost: $10 - $30, depending on package

Learn More: camp-christmas.com

ABOUT THE CREATOR

Lonnie Hanzon is a Colorado-based artist, best known in Denver for designing the Evolution of the Ball sculpture at Coors Field, The Wizard’s Chest, and the Clocktower Cabaret, as well as early Parade of Lights floats. Other major Colorado installations can be seen at Palazzo Verdi, Museum of Outdoor Arts, Marjorie Park, Red Rocks Community College, Denver Pride celebrations and throughout the Kenneth King Performing Arts Center. His national and international work includes large outdoor urban entertainment projects including Houston Zoo Lights, immersive visual merchandising displays and fine art for Neiman Marcus, and large-scale displays and events at Hong Kong’s Pacific Place. www.lonniehanzon.com

ABOUT OFF-CENTER

Off-Center produces unexpected theatrical experiences that put the audience at the center of the story. What began in 2010 as a small theatrical test kitchen has grown into a signature line of programming for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, credited with bringing immersive theatre to Colorado and helping establish Denver as a national hub for immersive art. www.denvercenter.org

Need a change of scenery for work/school?

2020-10-15T10:58:00.003-06:00

To support families looking for a change of scenery while working or studying remotely this fall, YMCA of the Rockies and Snow Mountain Ranch offer a variety of cabin options ranging in size from 2-, 3-, or 4- bedroom vacation homes, as well as expansive 6-8-bedroom group cabins for extended families, groups or a learning pod.

Both properties offer peaceful mountain getaways where social distancing comes easily and inspiring spots abound for learning and working remotely. Cabins feature stunning views, complimentary Wi-Fi, family-friendly floor plans, and large well-stocked kitchens.

Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park is an ideal autumn destination with pet-friendly private cabins and hotel-style lodge rooms. On-site activities include mountain biking, hiking, crafts shop, mini-golf, horseback riding, roller skating, and fishing. *New this season: Family Adventure Packs - a new experience for families to explore the outdoors at their own self-guided pace.
YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park offers wide-open spaces on over 800 acres bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. Bring your laptop to work or study from a wraparound porch and then take a break to enjoy the turning aspen leaves, huge herds of elk roaming the property, and fun fall activities such as horseback riding, hiking, miniature golf, and more. *New this season: Outdoor Education Curriculum - free easy-to-follow science and ecology kits with lessons on local wildlife, outdoor living skills, geocaching, and more - and special fall events such as Fall Photography Fridays, Spy Weeks, and the Halloween Spooktacular on October 31 featuring a haunted house and safe trick-or-treating throughout the property.

Lodging reservations are available online. Please call 800.777.9622 to learn more about 6-8 bedroom group cabins.

All scheduled activities are operated in a safe and healthy manner in alignment with public health ordinances from county and state officials.

Like our new header?

2020-10-09T10:44:00.002-06:00

You are amazing! Thank you for helping us create our new look with your images - we love it and hope you do, too!

If you see your picture, we will contact you about a $25 gift card to the Stanley Marketplace, and congratulations!

We appreciate all of you - thank you for making our neighborhood a wonderful place to live!

We have a new name - help us with our new look!

2020-08-27T09:01:00.001-06:00

We are delighted to announce that our new official name is Central Park Parents! Thank you to all those who voted in the name-change process - we think our new name is much more inclusive all around.

With that, we're holding a contest to create our new look! You can see our temporary banner above, but we would love to feature your pictures that truly represent our neighborhood (bonus points for recognizable landmarks - the air tower, fountains, parks, etc.). We're also looking to represent the diverse nature of our community, so hope to feature everyone:

Kids, parents, and grandparents
All colors, shapes, and sizes
Families of all types - gay, straight, multi-generational, blended

Do you have awesome pics featuring your family in our neighborhood? Would you like to see them featured in our website and Facebook header?

Please send your original images to jaime@centralparkparents.com by EXTENDED: Wednesday, September 30, 2020 ~~Thursday, September 15, 2020~~, at 11:59 p.m. If we choose to feature your image, you will win a $25 gift card to Stanley Marketplace! Please see official rules and additional information below.

Thank you for your support during this time of transition - we're so excited to move forward with you!

Contest Rules

All photos must be original work, taken by the entrants. No third party may own or control any materials the photo contains, and the photo must not infringe upon the trademark, copyright, moral rights, intellectual rights, or rights of privacy of any entity or person.
Entries will be judged by Central Park Parents. All decisions are final.
Central Park Parents reserves the right to disqualify any entry that is deemed inappropriate or does not conform to stated contest rules.
By entering the contest, entrants agree that photos submitted can be used by Central Park Parents for advertising purposes. Winning photos will need to be accompanied by a photo release.
Submissions will not be accepted once the deadline lapses.
The winners will be contacted via the email address provided during entry. If no response is received after three business days, a new winner will be selected and the previous winner will forfeit all rights to the prize.
The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Family Backpacking Trips through Camp Chief Ouray

2020-07-14T12:29:00.000-06:00

Camp Chief Ouray (CCO) has reserved permits for backpacking trips in multiple scenic locations offering families a personalized adventure, custom-tailored to ability levels.

Trips cater to various skill levels with 2-day excursions on the Snow Mountain Ranch (Granby) property, 4-day backpacking trips in Rocky Mountain National Park, or 7-day trips in the Wind River Range of Wyoming.

Each adventure is guided by one or two experienced staff members who will lead the group, facilitate fun games, cook food for the group, and ensure overall health and safety.
Each trip is intended for one household. If you would like to go on a trip with another household that you know, contact CCO. The cost will decrease by $250 per family if there are 2 or more families on a trip.
Each trip must have a legal guardian for participants under 18 years old.
All food and equipment will be provided. However, if you’d prefer to use your own, you are welcome to bring camping equipment.

Stay at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby the night before and/or the night after your trip. Email Ian at iobrien@ymcarockies.org to arrange a discounted stay in a lodge room in addition to the cost of the trip.
Scholarships are available for these adventures:

Weekend adventure on Snow Mountain Ranch property click here.
Backpacking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park for your family, click here.
Flattops Wilderness of Colorado or Wind River Range of Wyoming, click here.

To reserve a trip or ask questions, contact Ian at iobrien@ymcarockies.org. If you are reserving a trip, please include the name, age, and hiking experience of each person in your group.

The Art of the Brick FREE at DMNS

2020-06-28T16:45:00.001-06:00

We are excited to announce that the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is now open! As restrictions lift from COVID-19, science understanding, appreciation, and education have never been more important. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science – a place for everyone, everywhere – is catalyzing our community forward, helping us understand how diversity in our natural world creates strength and nurtures life. 

And be inspired by how the power of imagination and creativity builds endless possibilities with one of America’s favorite toys in The Art of the Brick. As the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt by all of us in so many ways, the Museum and LEGO® brick artist Nathan Sawaya are supporting our communities by offering The Art of the Brick free with Membership or general admission through Labor Day. Special ticket required.

Renowned contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya has taken LEGO® bricks from beloved toys to artistic marvels. Sawaya’s original artworks and his reimagined versions of famous masterpieces from art and culture, such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and the Venus de Milo, will wow you. The experience also showcases a collection of LEGO-infused hyper-realistic photography from Sawaya’s innovative collaboration with award-winning photographer Dean West.

Visit dmns.org/brick for more information about The Art of the Brick.

Father's Day at YMCA of the Rockies and Snow Mountain Ranch

2020-06-15T13:56:00.000-06:00

Looking for something fun to do with Dad for Father's Day this weekend?

The YMCA of the Rockies - both at their Estes Park and Snow Mountain Ranch locations - are running some great specials, as well as some fun Father's Day activities!

Current Specials:

SAVE 33% ON A LODGE ROOM

Book a minimum of 3 nights in any lodge room at Estes Park Center or Snow Mountain Ranch between June 12 and July 31, 2020. Breakfast for 2 included each day. Promo code: SUMMER 20

Rest and Renew Package for Healthcare Workers and Emergency First-Responders
50% discount on current lodging fees for up to four nights, valid for reservations from June 1 through November 30, 2020, at Estes Park Center or Snow Mountain Ranch.

Fun this Father's Day:

YMCA OF THE ROCKIES IN ESTES PARK
Pick up special Father's Day kits from the Craft Center to make Dad a thoughtful gift or schedule to get a family portrait taken at the photo booth. Dad will love the new axe-throwing activity, or challenge him to a round of miniature golf (and win prizes!). In the evening, roast marshmallows around a campfire followed by an outdoor movie on the sprawling YMCA of the Rockies lawn. Fly fishing and horseback riding excursions are also available. Cabin rentals start at just $169/night and lodge rooms are $154/night.

Learn more at https://blog.ymcarockies.org/fathers-day-celebration-at-estes-park-center/

SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH IN GRANBY
Father's Day activities include card making, balloon toss, Father’s Day quiz bowl and fort building plus a scavenger hunt. Additional popular outdoor open activities include mini-golf, disc golf, horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. Cabins start at $279/night and lodge rooms are available for $149/night.

Learn more at https://snowmountainranch.org/

New safety and sanitizing procedures are in place. Curbside check-ins will be provided for guest arrivals and self-check-outs will be conducted via email. Although the dining halls and restaurants will be closed to seating and in-person dining, a variety of options will be available such as grocery delivery to cabins, take out family pick-up meal options, and to go items from on-site dining facilities and local restaurants. All activities will be operated in a safe and healthy manner in alignment with public health ordinances from county and state officials.

To make a reservation, book online at https://ymcarockies.org/lodging/?trace_from=epc or call 888-613-9622.

It's Past Time for St*pleton to Go

2020-06-14T11:25:00.002-06:00

Guest post by the Rev. Dr. David Bahr, Pastor of Park Hill Congregational UCC in Denver.

Originally posted on David's blog. Hear him speak these words on YouTube or watch below.

“I have little to say, except that I will work with the Klan and for the Klan in the coming election heart and soul. And if I am re-elected, I shall give the Klan the kind of administration it wants.”

Those are the promises of former Denver mayor Benjamin St*pleton, a name familiar to most in Denver because he was given the honor of the name of the former airport. And then, after the airport, a massive area of land encompassing many neighborhoods, but known in total as St*pleton. That name must now go. It’s not as though people haven’t tried over and over and over again. But now, it is time for St*pleton to go.

Not only did he promise his “heart and soul” to the KKK, he filled his cabinet and police forces with members of the KKK. His election to mayor of Denver was celebrated by cross burnings on the top of South Table Mountain. The KKK burned crosses in celebration of Benjamin St*pleton. People claim that he later changed his tune. Regardless, despite any change of that heart or accomplishments, Jews, Chinese, Catholics, immigrants, and African Americans were all openly terrorized with impunity during his reign. None of them was asked when the airport was named in 1944 whether they thought his accomplishments outweighed the fiery terror that rained down upon them. Those actions were fresh. Those with the power to name then, didn’t care. But now, it is time for St*pleton to go. It’s past time.

Many people who have moved to the St*pleton neighborhood in the past decade were unaware of this history. When the airport closed, attempts were made to change the name. Most recently, Black Lives Matter brought attention to this in 2015. After years of education and consciousness raising, last year property owners in St*pleton were given the opportunity to voice their opinion. But those with interests in keeping the name created an election in which 1) only property owners could vote. That means the many who live in apartments had no voice. 2) Only one person per household could vote. Two adults with two opinions could voice only one opinion. 3) Ballot irregularities were ignored throwing confusion into an already heated debate.

I went to the meeting of the Master Community Association at which the results of that vote were ratified. I could as easily have been sitting in on a meeting in Birmingham or Selma in the 1950s. The group was annoyed, calling neighbors initiating the name change of being “outsiders coming in.” They weren’t. The group was impatient to get this off their agenda. They called the ReName group’s concerns overhyped and accused advocates of bad behavior.

Dr. King wrote to clergymen from his jail cell in Birmingham that he had “hoped the white moderate would see this [injustice. But I should have expected] that few members of a race that has oppressed another race can understand or appreciate the deep groans and passionate yearnings of those who have been oppressed, and still few have the vision to see that injustice must be rooted out by strong, persistent, and determined action.”

And so strong, persistent and determined action has been promised. In a very strongly worded tweet, Tay Anderson put down a marker. “The neighbors of Stapleton have ONE WEEK to change their name ... if they do NOT we will march through their neighborhood to show them that Black Lives Matter.”

My first reaction to the tone was “that’s not helpful.” That sounds like a threat. But if nice words get you nowhere, perhaps strong, persistent and determined action will get people’s attention.

We are watching as more statues of treasonous confederate soldiers on the losing side of a war to enslave humans are being torn down. And now it is time for St*pleton to go. It’s past time.

Even the Pentagon agrees that the names of confederates after whom military bases, like Bragg and Benning, should be changed. It is time for St*pleton to go. It’s past time.

A man in Texas wrote to Dr. King to say “All Christians know that the colored people will receive equal rights eventually, but is it possible that you are in too great of a religious hurry?” But as we know, Dr. King said, “wait almost always means never.” And so, it is time for St*pleton to go. It’s past time.

But what about the history? You can’t erase history. I completely agree. My solution? Put a plaque on top of South Table Mountain with the history laid out clearly. On this spot, the KKK burned a cross in celebration of the election of Mayor St*pleton. We commit that such an atrocity shall never happen again.” Put a plague up in the offices of the Master Community Association. Put a plaque up in Founder’s Green. Put them everywhere so we don’t forget the history. But the name? It’s time to go.

To Christians I share a story of Jesus. The authorities asked Jesus, “What’s your hurry?” They pointed to a woman who had formerly been bent over for 18 years. They said, “Why couldn’t she wait? It’s against the law to heal today. Do it tomorrow. It’s just one more day.” True, it had been 18 years, but that means, according to their logic, there were 5,634 previous days on which should could have been healed. But no one cared about this woman until Jesus healed her on the wrong day. (Luke 13:10-17)

The tone of a tweet may be off putting, but clearly no action will be taken on the St*pleton name until someone says finally it’s enough: Now is the time to ReName St*pleton. It’s past time.

YMCA of the Rockies reopening May 22nd!

2020-05-21T14:38:00.001-06:00

We're excited to share that the YMCA of the Rockies will reopen May 22 with lodge rooms, cabins, and yurts (at Snow Mountain Ranch)!

YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch look forward to reopening their wide-open spaces, mountain views and fresh air with guests on May 22 (a few cabins are still available for Memorial Day weekend).

Curbside check-ins will be provided for guest arrivals and self-check-outs will be conducted via email, and although the dining halls and restaurants will be closed to seating and in-person dining, a variety of options will be available to guests such as grocery delivery to cabins, take out family pick-up meal options, and to-go items from on-site dining facilities and local restaurants.

All activities will be operated in a safe and healthy manner in alignment with public health ordinances from county and state officials. For more information about YMCA of the Rockies' practices and procedures, please visit https://blog.ymcarockies.org/covid-19-preparations/.

The popular family vacation destination has reorganized and reprioritized how they operate their facilities, services, and programs to provide a safe, affordable getaway for guests this summer. Popular activities that will be open to guests include:

Miniature golf and disc golf
Tennis
Outdoor volleyball
Hiking and biking trails
Horseback riding
Fly fishing
Dog park
Roller skating
New to-go kits from the craft center

Estes Park Center will also launch a new activity - Axe Throwing - where families can learn how to throw a two-pound hatchet at a target and get it to stick, while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors in the cool shade of towering Ponderosa Pines. Also new at Estes Park Center, YMCA of the Rockies will be offering Camp My Way, a small group camp experience for overnight guests from June 1–August 14.

Lastly, to support healthcare professionals and first responders, YMCA of the Rockies is offering a new Rest + Renew package featuring 50% discount on current lodging fees for healthcare workers and emergency first responders up to four nights and valid June 1–November 30, 2020.