Willow Bend Park and Natural Area in Loveland, Colorado

Loveland, Colorado has a great park attached to a trail and natural area that is something everyone should get out and enjoy.

Willow Bend Park in Loveland - Near Boys & Girls Clubs But Open to All

Nearly 20 years after The Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County opened in Loveland (having merged with Youth Empire) in 1996, a park and natural area opened right next to it. Kids love parks, for sure, but the area is for all-users; it will be setting an example for the country for years.

TSM/Dave Jensen

It's hard to picture just how big and nice Willow Bend Park is until you get there. Finding a parking space may be tough; I know when I went, I ended parking at the Boys & Girls Club lot. That speaks to how popular and fun the park is, for all.

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The City of Loveland created the park in conjunction with PlayCore, who with Utah State University and the Center for Persons with Disabilities developed a program for creating play environments for people of all ages and abilities and creating inclusive communities through play.

Simply put, the park is for everyone, maximizing access for those who don't necessarily get to have fun outside due to their circumstances.

The park and natural area take up 180 acres, with plenty of room for all sorts of activities. There's an accessible fishing pier at Willow Bend Pond; I paved ramp takes you down to the dock. The day I was there, I saw an older gentleman and his wife heading down there.

A Few of the Amenities at Willow Bend Park:

Large Picnic Shelters.
Universal Access Playground.
ADA Equipment Charging Station.
Walking Path Circuit.
Sport Court.
Play Field.
ADA Accessible Restroom with adult changing station.

The paved walking trail goes around the park and grass field to the north; an easy little outdoor exercise.

You can also drive (or walk) down to the trailhead parking lot where there are few options. One, take the nature trail for about a half-mile around Willow Bend Pond, get onto the East Big Thompson Trail portion of Loveland's rec trail system, or third, go fishing on the accessible pier.

Take a look: