Things to Do in Washington Park

Washington Park is served by Denver Public Schools, rated B+ by Niche. South High School holds an A− rating and is ranked #44 among Colorado public high schools, housed in a Roman basilica-style building with 1,846 students and 60+ clubs. Steele Elementary is rated A− and is one of the top-performing DPS elementary schools, featuring Art Deco architecture. South High reports 47% math and 70% reading proficiency.

Washington Park is approximately 4 miles south of downtown via Speer Blvd. Off-peak drives take 10–15 minutes, extending to 20–35 minutes during rush hour. RTD bus lines 11 and 12 serve the area directly, and the University of Denver Station provides D, H, and L line light rail service to downtown.

The median home price in Washington Park ranges from $1.2M to $1.6M, with Zillow at ~$1.2M and Redfin at ~$1.6M as of March 2026. The wide range reflects the mix of historic and new construction homes. Price per square foot averages ~$523, up 5.1% year-over-year, and homes average 43 days on market.

Washington Park spans 165 acres and features Smith Lake (fishing, paddleboat and kayak rentals in summer), Grasmere Lake, a 2.6-mile jogger-only loop trail, Denver’s largest flower garden, and a Mt. Vernon Garden replica. The Washington Park Recreation Center offers an indoor pool, gym, tennis, basketball, and lawn bowling.

Washington Park averages 0.7 violent crimes per month (2025), per NeighborhoodScout and FBI UCR data, ranking among Denver’s lowest. The property crime rate is 54.4 per 1,000, which is 22% below the city average. The neighborhood ranks in the 24th percentile, with north Washington Park being the lowest-crime sub-area at a 1-in-23 risk.

Denver’s cost of living index is 128, or 28% above the national average per BestPlaces. Property taxes run ~0.50% effective (~79.2 mills), combined sales tax is 9.15%, and Colorado’s flat state income tax is 4.4%. Median household income in Washington Park ranges from $119K to $191K.

Washington Park’s South Pearl and South Gaylord corridors offer established dining: • Sushi Den — 37+ years, daily fish flown from Japan, Denver’s most acclaimed sushi • Barolo Grill — Northern Italian fine dining, award-winning cellar • Potager — farm-to-table • Devil’s Food Bakery — scratch pastries since 1999 on South Gaylord • Lucile’s Creole Cafe — beignets and chicory coffee, 45+ minute weekend waits • Stella’s Coffee House — converted house since 1991, stained glass and bookshelves

Denver Health Medical Center is approximately a 10-minute drive away. Denver Health Adult Urgent Care at 660 Bannock Street is open 7am–7pm daily, and Denver Health also offers virtual urgent care. Denver Health Pediatric ED at 777 Bannock Street provides 24/7 emergency services.