Another Mini Get-Away

One of the things I love about our area is the little lakes that dot the area. Most of them have walking trails around them where you can watch the ducks or sit and relax. They are like a little oasis in all the hustle and bustle of life.


One of my favorite lakes is Harriman Lake at the corner of Kipling and Quincy. Admittedly part of the reason this is one of my favorite lakes is that my father has told me stories of swimming in this lake back when he was in high school in 1946. He lived in Englewood at the time so I guess that is what they called getting away back then. I love the idea that this lake has survived for more than 70 years.

Harriman was closed to the public for a while after a couple of people drowned. Harriman Lake Park is maintained through a combined effort between Foothills and Denver Water. The lake and most of the land surrounding it is owned by Denver Water. Foothills leases the recreation rights from Denver Water. On October 21, 1995, the Harriman Park area was dedicated and reopened to the public. The 1.4 -mile lake sits on an 11-acre parcel which is leased to Foothills Recreational from Jefferson County. Starting in December 201l, Denver Water began replacing the old dam with a new earthen one. The project was completed in February 2013. This project was done to satisfy regulatory requirements and bring the dam to its full capacity for storage.

The park includes not only Harriman Lake but the prairie habitat that surrounding the lake. The loop trail surrounding the lake features stops that describe historical and natural features of the area. On the south side of the lake are two covered picnic tables. To reach the trailhead, there is a parking area on Kipling just south of Quincy. Other than that, improvements are minimal so as to preserve the park integrity of the park.

It is an easy walk around the lake passing through wetlands and bird habitats. You can start the trail from the parking area and head west along Quincy Avenue or from the south side of the lake head west alongside the Lakehurst Village Subdivision before entering the Donkey Hill Greenbelt. From Donkey Hill the trail swings around the north side of Donkey Hill and crosses under S. Simms Street through a dedicated box culvert. The trail then parallels the Weaver Creek drainage and continues west to Weaver Hollow Park and Pool. From Weaver Hollow Park and Pool it continues west to Weaver Creek Park where the trail dead ends at Cole St. Trail head.

You will see joggers and dog walkers most days but it is not a crowded trail. Swimming, boating, wading, belly boats, and ice fishing are prohibited. Come check it out if you need a quick getaway place to recalibrate.

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