Amazing participation

You're simply the best, Lakewood residents! With more than 260 selfies posted for the 2025 Mayor's Park Challenge, your participation this summer has been amazing. Thank you and congratulations to all of you for getting out to enjoy the city's great parks. You really accomplished Mayor Strom's challenge to participate in a "summer reading program for your body." Even more inspiring are the comments and insights you provided about the parks you visited.

While the random drawing has selected the winners for the three prize packages (shown in the news feed, with the the winners alerted directly by email), please take time to check out some of the great stories from your park visits.

Highlights of what you found in the parks

Lasley Park
"How cool is that park sign with the rocks in it?! I was also charmed by the giant green bench swing and the art installations featuring children's books!"

South Sheridan Park/Fields
"I found this park on accident, but it was a happy surprise. ... I liked how this park was a couple blocks away from Sheridan but felt more rural."

Sutherland Shire Park
"One of three sister parks in Lakewood. Look for the dinosaur engravings in the playground wall. Your kids will love it."

Aviation Park
"I visited this park to look for these (public art pieces). I was not disappointed! How fun. The audio tour explained how the park had all kinds of references to aviation."

Glen Creighton Park
"This adorable little park does not have a parking lot, so might be best for bike riders or local folks. I really enjoyed how peaceful it was, even so close to Colfax. I saw a robin and a yellow butterfly, and heard spotted towhees and a Northern flicker. I liked all the oak trees."

Green Gables Park
"So fun returning to the park my children and I visited most often when they were little."

Kendrick Lake Park
"I love taking out of town visitors to the demonstration garden here. And I took a great deal of inspiration from the gardens when I tore out our Kentucky Blue Grass lawn. Such a wonderful community resource."

Cottage Park
"Our special needs adults absolutely loved the labyrinth."

Mayor's selfie of encouragement:

Mayor Wendi Strom is amazed by all the selfies that have been posted. There are nearly 130 already, and we're into only the first week of the summer. Great job! Some of you are going well-beyond the goal of three parks in each ward and seem to be shooting to reach all 114 parks, which is amazing.

Mayor Strom wanted to keep up her encouragement by posting her own 2025 selfies, along with some interesting information.

Did you know?

Rampart Park is small neighborhood park nestled south of Bear Creek that works nicely for a family picnic or game of basketball. It also features a small playground, shelter, basketball court and playing field.

Crown Hill Park, just north of Lakewood's boundary at 9357 W. 26th Ave., is a partnership among Jefferson County Open Space and the cities of Lakewood and Wheat Ridge.

Prize packages announced

Your response to this challenge has been fantastic! Keep up all your efforts to get out to our parks. There's exciting news about this year's prize package: It's expanding to three packages! Each selfie will be entered into a random drawing this fall for one of these great rewards:

• First prize: $100 gift card for longtime standout, the 240 Union restaurant on Union Boulevard.
• Second prize: Bear Creek Lake Park annual pass and recreation center passes.
• Third prize: Package including reusable shopping bag, mug and other Lakewood branded items.

News from Mayor Wendi Strom

I'm renewing my Mayor’s Park Challenge, where I challenge myself and all of you to visit and enjoy Lakewood’s wonderful array of parks. As I said last summer, consider it a summer reading program for your body!

Last summer, I tried to make it to every one of our parks, but with more than 100 it was a daunting task. This year, I’m challenging myself and you to visit at least three parks in every ward in the city by Labor Day this year, which is Sept. 1. Find a list of all the parks, along with a map, at Lakewood.org/ParksList.

Each time you visit a new park, take a selfie with the park’s sign, submit it at the Selfie submission tab and tell your story about why you enjoy that park. When you submit your photo, check out some fun facts about the park on the Parks List. Each park selfie will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize at the end of the summer. I’m still working on the prize, so stay tuned to learn what it will be!