There is a joy to being outside. Lush backyards, gardens, parks and streetscapes provide us with a perfect, secluded world of our own. They resituate us in relation to the natural world and restore connections we may have forgotten were there. Flowers, trees and lawns magnificent in their richest of greens afford a small piece of paradise on earth.
It is a surviving fragment of the old, placid way of life that stands in contrast to the countless construction sites bearing boxy buildings that now depict our Valley.
Here are our “blessed to have a backyard” choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to walk, stroll, run, perch and succumb to nature’s beauty:
3 For exquisitely beautiful outdoor weekend getaways head to Four Mile Historic Park to enjoy live music July 6, 13, 20 & 27. Groups entertain at the Shady Grove Picnic Series, 6 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Escape to a perfectly secluded splash in the sun during Water Fest at the JCC campus pool July 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: 303-316-6308.
3 Sprawl out on Glendale’s Infinity Park lawn to see Mamma Mia July 11, The Goonies July 18 & Mrs. Doubtfire July 25, 7 p.m. Information: moviesatinfinitypark.com.
3 Stroll Denver Botanic Gardens with a curator July 14 to learn about new sculpture exhibition and the artists, 9:30 a.m. Information: 720-865-3501.
3 Gather family on Lowry’s Masterpiece Kitchen patio. It’s a stunner with indoor-outdoor bar, cushy sofas plus fire pit. Information: 720-324-8873.
3 Shop for clothes, cooking and BBQ items plus fun backyard stuff at Cherry Creek North’s Sidewalk Sale July 14-17. Information: 303-394-2904.
3 Chill at the Frozen Treat Progressive Party On Havana St. July 17, noon-4 p.m. Sample free ice cream, yogurt and custard. Information: 303-360-7505.
3 Meander Denver Botanic Gardens with margaritas at the Kemp Alliance’s Salt On The Rim event, July 27, 5:30 p.m. Information: 303-864-5300.
3 Connect with friends, neighbors and business associates at the Cherry Creek Chamber’s version of UK’s garden croquet. The annual Wicket & Stick It Croquet Tournament is Aug. 5 on the outdoor plaza behind BRIO Tuscan Grille, 2-9 p.m. Teams battle for coveted Wicket & Stick It Silver Cup plus many more prizes. Enjoy beer, wine plus food morsels from area eateries with player and spectator tickets. Information: 303-388-6022.
“When we’re out back, it doesn’t feel like we’re in downtown Cherry Creek,” a neighbor declared at a recent community backyard luau. Okay, I actually live in a high-rise but with a football field size backyard. It features grand outdoor rooms offering a variety of experiences that give way to mountain vistas on the West.
Outdoor spaces offer us refuge from the city, a place where we can rediscover our natural roots and reconnect with our souls, an oasis that adds to the quality of our lives.
Jogging down a tree-lined path, a family picnic on a sunny lawn and sharing a community garden’s harvest outdoors is something everyone should be able to enjoy. Outdoor spaces boost real estate values while attracting business. It isn’t just about making our planet better; it makes us feel better plus making our lives work better.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.