Sometimes pavement is all you've got

Sometimes, maybe lots of times, you just have to get outside and concrete is the only choice. That seemed to be just fine this week as the Leave No Trace Board of Directors met May 5-6 to talk shop at their spring meeting in Denver. Board and staff members shared ideas and experiences as we discussed current programs, operations and strategies for the year and beyond. And to have a little afternoon fun, the group hit a paved trail along the Platte River for an urban hiking excursion. Not exactly wilderness but, non-the-less, beautiful, front country that provided a wonderful walk for our group. Our own David Jayo from REI supplied trash bags and gloves and, together, the board and staff picked up as much trash as possible while hiking and enjoying a lovely, downtown spring day in Denver. Just goes to show, you can enjoy the great outdoors just about anywhere!

City Oasis

To get to one of my favorite outdoor places, I don't even have to get in my car. Sloan's Lake Park in northwest Denver is a large urban open space, joining Cooper and Sloan Lake and offering, in my opinion, equally beautiful views of the front range and the city skyline (I recommend visiting around dusk).

It's close enough to many Denver neighborhoods that all you need to do is put on a pair of running shoes or hop on a bike and you can be there in minutes. Although it doesn't necessarily provide an "escape" from the city crowd, there is quite a bit of space for all to roam, and it's a stress free alternative to making the journey up a crowed I-70 corridor.

Unfortunately anytime I'm there, it's without a camera, so I've included a link to the city's greenprint page, which offers information on many Denver city parks.

http://www.greenprintdenver.org/environment/index.php

Enjoy!