Central Park, Boulder

Boulder's Central park is a mixed bag. During spring, summer and fall festivals and the Farmer's market, Central Park is a vibrant place with live bands, good food and great people. Large, mature trees shade wide grassy areas near Boulder Creek. Shallow areas provide relatively safe areas for kids and dogs to splash in hot weather. It's very accessable, the Boulder Creek Path runs through the park, many bus routes stop at the park and there is enough nearby parking to handle most crowds. The Farmers market (held every Saturday morning and Wednesday evening in summer) is a great place for locals to buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables and for those looking for entertainment to enjoy excellent vendor foods, local handmade products and great (free!) music. The park is adjacent to the fabulous Dushanbe Teahouse (as much a visual treat as it is a taste-treat) as well as several nearby museums and galleries. However, the park is also a hang-out for the homeless and panhandlers, the steam engine that was the centerpiece of the park was sold and the antique caboose recently burned. The center of the park is now a short fenced-off section of train tracks. The once-colorful bandstand has been repainted and is now a bland eggshell color while the small dam that creates several waterfalls is visibly deteriorating. While the location on the creek path means it is easy access from nearby neighborhoods, there are also bicyclists whizzing through the park at speed. The park is split by Broadway with a pedestrian underpass for access between the sides. The playground is located on the west side of the bridge and south side of the creek, difficult to access from the rest of the park. Overall, if you're visiting Boulder on Wednesday or Saturday it's a great place to visit, or if you're passing through the park is a pleasant place for a lunch picnic (from a nearby grocer or one of the many nearby resturaunts), especially if you find a spot near the creek, there is not much else to offer.