42 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | FOOD & DRINK | MUSIC & VENUES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | SPORTS & RECREATION | CONTENTS | rec league hockey into your late twenties and thirties. Not only is it tough on the body, but practice is essentially nonexis- tent and game times often run after 11 p.m. But how many adult leagues allow you to play in the same arena as national cham- pions? Through the Denver University Adult Hockey League, you’ll play in both Magness Arena, where the DU Pioneers play home games, as well as Joy Burns Arena, where the Pios practice. You can choose from fi ve different skill levels (don’t overestimate yourself; the highest level has ex-D1 players) or join the lunch league, if you have spare time during the weekdays. Registration for the summer starts on May 1, and the fall season August 1. Best New Denver Park Denargo Market Sports Park 1808 28th Street denargomarket.com RiNo is hip and full of new living spaces, but it has been light in outdoor sports ac- tivities for a while, so the Denargo Market Sports Park was a welcome addition to one of the city’s more popular neighborhoods. Part of the larger Denargo Market com- mercial housing development along the South Platte River and Brighton Boule- vard, this new public recreation area has a colorful and climbable rhino statue, dog park, splash pad, nature-inspired play- ground and bicycle and walking paths. It also has a sweet new basketball and pickleball court, allowing you to get some shots and serves up before going out on Larimer Street. Best Golf Course Gear City Park 3181 East 23rd Avenue cityofdenvergolf.com Golf course clubhouses across the country have stepped up their game over the past decade, offering shirts, hats, towels and other gear that fi ts younger sensibilities while still highlighting the course and sur- rounding area. As Denver’s most notable municipal course, known for beautiful sky- line and church views and a sixteenth hole that really lets you crank it, it’s only natural to want to rep City Park. The clubhouse’s hats are slick enough to wear on golf trips with pride, featuring a slice of the Mile High skyline, including the Cash Register building, as well as a bovine to honor Den- ver’s cowtown connection. Perfect for Best of Denver weather. Best Golf Hole Ninth Hole at the Golf Club at Bear Dance 6630 Bear Dance Drive, Larkspur beardancegolf.com Carved out of a forest in the Larkspur hills, Bear Dance is surrounded by tall trees and usually has more deer around the greens than people. The course isn’t prohibitively diffi cult, though, and provides enough vari- ance to keep you interested for all eighteen. But the biggest spark comes right before the halfway point, where an array of sand traps forms a bear’s paw in front of the ninth hole. It’s a fantastic sight as you tee off on the par four, and very Colorado. We know, no one wants to hit out of a sand trap, but at least this one looks pretty cool while you do it — and if you’re able to avoid the bear claw, why not hold a quick liquid celebration at the turn? Best Way to Golf Without Golfi ng Aqua Golf 501 West Florida Avenue cityofdenvergolf.com Not every golfer is obsessed with power transfer ratios and swing planes. Some of us just wanna rip shots into the water with a sunset and cold beer in the back- ground. At Aqua Golf, you can achieve just that, and even play a little mini-golf when so inclined. Because it’s owned by the City of Denver, the driving range and putt-putt rates are affordable, and the environment is low on stress, even if it can be a little rough around the edges sometimes. You’ll see teenagers laugh- ing, families jumping around and people wearing jeans at Aqua Golf — but they might surprise you and rocket one across the pond or nail targeted chip shots. Who needs a simulator, when you can work on all the aspects of your game outside in your bare feet? Best Hike for Cooling Down Spruce Mountain Loop 13415 South Spruce Mountain Rd, Larkspur douglas.co.us/open-space-natural- resources The 5.6-mile Spruce Mountain Loop is too long to be called an easy walk, but you can always turn back whenever you like, and most of the hike is a breeze thanks to the smell of trees — none of which are spruces, ironically — and all of the shade provided. Part of Douglas County’s Spruce Meadows Open Space and Trail, the Spruce Moun- tain hike will put you right in between oak- brush trees, ponderosa pines and Douglas firs (often called a “yellow Spruce” by old locals), all of which soak up the sun and heat like a vacuum. On the south rim you’ll get elevated and expansive views of Greenland Open Space across the road, and there’s a good chance you’ll see horseback riders on nice days. There is a parking lot at the loop trailhead, but be sure to bring plenty of water. Best Hike for a Free Slice of Geology Paint Mines Interpretive Park 29950 Paint Mine Road, Calhan parks.elpasoco.com Named for the colorful clays collected by Indigenous tribes thousands of years ago, the ridges and hillsides at Paint Mines Interpretive Park are draped in shades of orange, pink, red and yellow, and it’s all enhanced at dawn and dusk. With about four miles of trails that have little oversight, walking around the park is free and easy on the feet. You can also sign up for guided hikes in the summer and fall to learn even more about the formations. There is a park- ing lot, picnic tables and restrooms at the Paint Mines, but bring your own water — and make lunch plans in advance, because there isn’t much nearby. Best Hike for History Gazing Castlewood Canyon State Park 2989 State Highway 83, Franktown cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/ castlewood-canyon-state-park Hiking around Castlewood Canyon State Park feels like visiting a ghost town, mixed in with Atlantis-style ruins. Located about an hour south of Denver, the park is home to the site of the old Castlewood Dam, built in 1890 only to burst in 1933, releasing 1.7 million gallons of water. You’ll see plenty of pieces of the old dam around the park, as well as the Lucas Homestead site, where a two-story concrete house was built almost 130 years ago. History buffs should start on the Lucas Homestead Trailhead, which will quickly take you to the old homestead (download a tour brochure to learn more about the Lucas family’s home, or check out the visitor center), followed by a sub- three-mile trek to the dam ruins. From there, it’s just another 0.7 miles to see the Cherry Creek Falls. Sports & Recreation continued from page 41 ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETT Y IMAGES ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETT Y IMAGES
