November 08, 2026
Last week I shared September photos from Washington Park. Today it’s all about October. I’ve been treating the park like my own backyard. I try to get over there every day or so to check out the gardens and see how they change with the seasons.
Big Garden
By October’s end, the Big Garden had turned rosy pink and yellow. I like how benches let you sit among the plants — it’s immersive.
You can hide away in here.
A silvery tree looks like some kind of willow?
Beautiful with grasses turning tawny pink
Stiff goldenrod gone to seed
The seedheads look like cotton balls.
Ruby muhly grass in bloom is a hazy of purplish pink.
It looks best planted en masse or a ribbon.
Sixteen ‘Autumn Brilliance’ serviceberry trees line the oval lawn, eight on each side. They were orange in late October. I’m thinking of adding this small tree to my future garden.
Wider view
The warm colors of autumn
Giant coneflower seedheads
Long view across the oval lawn
Evergreen Hill
At the north end of the park is one of my favorite sections, Evergreen Hill’s grove of stately pines. It was designed in 1912, and some of the trees are really big. If you’re curious, you can read about the 100+-year history and design of Washington Park at Colorado Encyclopedia.
Lily Pond
Nearby, Lily Pond was looking autumnal with trees turning orange.
I spotted a hawk in a high perch, scoping for prey.
Mount Vernon Garden and Grasmere Lake
Mount Vernon Garden overlooks Grasmere Lake, and at twilight the gnats are thick in the air. At least they don’t bite. And hey, they’re kind of atmospheric!
Garden and lake
Can’t complain about the fall color here either.
Smith Lake
I love to catch sunsets over Smith Lake. The sky goes pastel, the light soft.
Houses across the lake evoke Amsterdam houses for me.
But the colorful trees grab my attention the most.
Golden leaves and a sunset sky frame a view of the historic boathouse.
Dusk views
This park is beloved by Denverites and no wonder.
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