The Polo Grounds Neighborhood

In 1909 the Denver Country Club formed a polo team called the ‘Freebooters’ and began playing on the grounds of the Denver Country Club. Understandably, the club golfers had a bit of a problem with this use, and in 1920 Ira and Albert Humphreys, Lafayette Hughes, and Laurence Phipps incorporated the Polo Club and purchased 160 acres of property for $62,000. Lafayette Hughes created a Polo Club Home Owner’s Association in 1946 in order to protect the remaining residents and to promote their continued privacy and seclusion. Following his death in 1958, 34 acres were sold to create the Polo Club Place Subdivision. By 1977, the former site of the polo club stables were being developed as condominiums and custom built homes.

Today it remains one of the most exclusive and secluded neighborhoods in the city in spite of its proximity to Cherry Creek and Downtown. Interesting that an unassuming, plain brown wooden fence along University Boulevard is now what helps Polo Club maintain its long standing goal of privacy.

Polo Grounds

Map of Polo Grounds

Parks

Pulaski Park

City of Brest Park

 

Area Information

To Downtown………… 15 min

To Cherry Creek Mall… 2 min

To I-25………….………… 8 min

Grocery Store………. Whole Foods

 

Walk Score: 70   Bike Score: 80

The Observatory Park Neighborhood

Observatory Park offers the charm of a college town, the convenience of a central location, and the serenity of a traditional neighborhood where lovely historic homes and mature shade trees line the picturesque streets. With Denver University being one of the main focal points of Observatory Park you will find this to be a vibrant neighborhood. The newly streamlined I-25 corridor and Light Rail whisks commuters to Downtown, the Central Platte Valley, Denver Tech Center, and Park Meadows Mall. University, Colorado, and Yale also speed residents on their way, but many opt for a quiet stroll to one of the area’s many delightful cafes, coffee bars, restaurants, convenience food outlets, and myriad retail stores.

Reminiscent of old-world villages, the quaint shopping districts at Old South Gaylord and South Pearl Street, offer bookshops, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. At University Hills Plaza, Chez Artiste, a tri-plex movie house, showcases the finest independent films and foreign language cinema. For first-run features, there’s Colorado Center Stadium 9, at Colorado and I-25 next door to Dave & Buster’s arcade and restaurant. Steeped in Denver history, Observatory Park, a family oriented neighborhood with a dash of spice, offers a zesty blend of modern and traditional lifestyles and architecture.

Observatory Park

Map of Observatory Park

 

Parks

Observatory Park

McWilliams Park

 

Area Information

To Downtown………… 25 min

To Cherry Creek Mall… 16 min

To I-25………….………… 10 min

Grocery Store………. Natural Grocers

 

Walk Score: 59   Bike Score: 86

4th of July Party Ideas!

Quickie Garland

To make your own 4th of July party garland on the cheap, try this trick from Fun Home Things, who cut red, white, and blue plastic tablecloths into strips, and tied them to a set of string lights.

Independence Punch

A drinkable 4th of July flag! Big Bear’s Wife mixed up a patriotic beverage using cranberry juice, blue Gatorade Frost, Diet 7-Up, and ice cubes for a refreshing party cooler.

Flag Canopy

Create a classy canopy and mood lighting for your 4th of July party with this genius idea from Style Me Pretty. Tie red, white, and blue paper streamers onto big-bulb outdoor lights, and hang above a picnic table or a grassy dance space.

Muffin Tin Art Caddy

Vaccuming in High Heels & Pearls created this quick DIY with a muffin tin and some red, white, and blue buttons, beads, and other odds and ends. For a 4th of July party activity, leave it out on a backyard table for kids to string necklaces and bracelets.

Everlasting Snow Cones

Make snow cones that won’t melt—these beauties are actually Bakerella cupcakes in disguise. A glittery tri-color frosting tops a layered three-color cake that you (and your party guests) have got to see to believe.

Firework Rings

Make fun fireworks accessories with the kids using this tutorial from Fantastic Fun and Learning. Twist together sparkly tinsel stems (or patriotic-color pipe cleaners) to create cute rings.

Cool Soda Bar

Desserts on the 4th of July can be used as party decorations with this sweet soda bar idea from Let’s Dish. Group red, blue, and clear soda bottles on a table with small bowls of striped straws, cherries, sprinkles. After the grill is off, bring out ice cream and let guests make their own ice-cream floats.

Have a safe 4th of July weekend! 

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The Hilltop Neighborhood

It is hard to believe that Denver’s prestigious Hilltop neighborhood was originally developed as a country suburb of Denver. Today, this charming urban neighborhood, which is located just east of Cherry Creek, is in the center of central Denver Real Estate.

Hilltop, which was primarily developed between 1920-1940, is widely known for its distinctive Tudor architecture but also features other architectural styles including colonials and more modern styles. Hilltop’s residents take pride in larger lots that sit back further from the street than those in other Denver neighborhoods. Alleyways are noticeable absent due to the fact that Hilltop’s lots were intended for automobiles rather than streetcars. The neighborhood gets its name from the high elevation of the area, and therefore offers some wonderful views of the Front Range mountains.

Hilltop, which is bounded by Colorado Boulevard, Alameda, 6th Avenue, and Holly, is only a few minutes from downtown Denver and the Cherry Creek shopping district. Hilltop residents can easily access downtown Denver’s rich entertainment and cultural opportunities. In addition, the historical Cranmer Park, one of thee parks, provides endless recreational opportunities.

Hilltop Neighborhood

Map of Hilltop

 

Parks

Cranmer Park

Robinson Park

 

Area Information

To Downtown………… 16 min

Cherry Creek Mall…… 4 min

To I-25………….………… 15 min

Grocery Store………. Trader Joe’s

 

Walk Score: 54   Bike Score: 68

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival that is a world-class and award-winning celebration that last for three days, every year in the Summer. The festival celebrates artist all from all around the State of Colorado and the United States. It includes visual arts, culinary arts, and performing arts. This event is completely free to attend to and the attendance is usually around 350,000 every year. This year the Cherry Creek Arts Festival is July 2nd through July 4th. It’s a family friendly event and is just one of the many things Colorado has to offer to it’s residents.

The Edgewater Neighborhood

The Edgewater neighborhood, located on the western edge of Sloan’s Lake, is growing in popularity for young home buyers due to its accessibility to downtown Denver and affordable home pricing. Edgewater got its start as a cluster of fishing shacks in the early 1900s, but has since grown to a full town with its’ own style and energy.

Edgewater Park, overlooking Sloan’s Lake, is a great place for kids to play and hang out, for adults to meet and greet each other, and for dogs to run (on leash of course) near the water’s edge. The town’s mayor, city council, and business people feel that Edgewater’s time has come to create a true neighborhood character. Based on the location of the park and lake, and the well-attended Dragon Boat Festival held each summer on the lake.

Edgewater

Edgewater Map

Parks

Sloan’s Lake Park

Walker Branch Park

 

Area Information

To Downtown………… 23 min

To Cherry Creek Mall… 35 min

To I-25………….………… 10 min

Grocery Store………. Whole Foods

 

Walk Score: 69   Bike Score: 75

Denver Country Club

The Denver Country Club is located just west of the fashionable Cherry Creek shopping center and neighborhood. This area extends from Speer Boulevard north to 6th Avenue and from Downing Street east to Oak Street. The heard of the Country Club area is Country Club Place. It is a subdivision between Franklin and Race Streets. It was designed by William and Arthur Fisher who worked with prominent Boston architect, Frederic Law Olmsted Jr. in 1909.

Only 380 homes comprise this magnificent neighborhood, which is still inhabited by many of Denver’s most social and politically elite. The large sprawling lots, historic homes, and proximity to both the actual Denver Country Club and the Cherry Creek fashion mall make this area one of the most exclusive areas in Denver. Wide, tree lined streets add to the elegant atmosphere.

The Denver Country Club Neighborhood

Map of the Denver Country Club Neighborhood

Parks

James N. Manley Park

Alamo Placita Park

 

Area Information

To Downtown………… 21 min

To Cherry Creek Mall… 2 min

To I-25………….………… 5 min

Grocery Store………. Whole Foods

 

Walk Score: 66   Bike Score: 89