 In addition to the parks within Denver itself , the city acquired land for mountain parks starting in the <unk> . Over the years , Denver has acquired , built and maintained approximately 14 @,@ 000 acres ( 57 km2 ) of mountain parks , including Red Rocks Park , which is known for its scenery and musical history revolving around the unique Red Rocks Amphitheatre . Denver also owns the mountain on which the Winter Park Resort ski area is operated in Grand County , 67 miles ( 110 km ) west of Denver . City parks are important places for both Denverites and visitors , inciting controversy with every change . Denver continues to grow its park system with the development of many new parks along the Platte River through the city , and with Central Park and Bluff Lake Nature Center in the Stapleton neighborhood redevelopment . All of these parks are important gathering places for residents and allow what was once a dry plain to be lush , active , and green . Denver is also home to a large network of public community gardens , most of which are managed by Denver Urban Gardens , a non @-@ profit organization . 
