Parks | Open Lands | Trails

Brochure (PDF)
Spanish Brochure (PDF)

The following rules and regulations have been established by the City Parks & Recreation Department pursuant to Chapter 12.40 of the Loveland Municipal Code. City ordinance, Site Rules and Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations are in effect unless otherwise or additionally posted onsite.

• Hours: 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (except Mariana Butte Trails, Morey Wildlife Reserve, Prairie Ridge Natural Area, Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park, Wild Natural Area and Willow Bend Natural Area, which are open from sunrise to sunset)
• Report accidents and emergencies directly to the Loveland Police Department (911); 
   non-emergency police: 970.667.2151 
• Report park maintenance concerns or vandalism to the Parks & Recreation Department, 970.962.2727
• Parking is in designated areas & cannot be saved or blocked off
• The City’s public-use space is not intended for commercial or retail activities or for long-term or a series of consecutive uses
• Small pop-up tents are allowed in parks for events and must be weighted down (10 ft. x 10 ft. max); no camping for privacy
• Stakes may NOT be driven into the ground more than 6 inches for any reason 
• Noise ordinance is strictly enforced
• Bicycling permitted on designated trails only (not permitted at Morey Wildlife Reserve or Mariana Butte Trails); Type I and II E-bikes are allowed where bicycles are allowed (except Prairie Ridge Natural Area –  NO e-bikes)
• Failure to obey park rules and closing times, allowing unruliness by members of the group or harassment of park employees warrant forfeiture of all shelter/pavilion reservation deposits
• Fishing is regulated by Colorado State Regulations (site-specific regulations apply); all anglers age 16 and older are required to have a Colorado Fishing License
• Use of hang gliders, paragliders and powered paragliders within all City of Loveland Parks & Recreation facilities is prohibited; approval of the City Manager is required to perform takeoff or landing of any aircraft within city limits (including hot air balloons and helicopters)
• Remote control (RC) motorized vehicles are not allowed; no drones (except for seasonal allowances at Barnes Park, Centennial Park, Fairgrounds Park, Loveland Sports Park, Mehaffey Park and North Lake Park). Please see the Parks and Recreation Unmanned Aerial Systems ("UAS") Policy.

• Battery powered RC boats are allowed for use on small City owned bodies of water ONLY; suggested sites are Foote Lagoon or North Lake Park Duck Pond.  RC boating questions: Colorado Parks & Wildlife Division, Fort Collins office: 970.472.4300

PROHIBITED

• Overnight parking or camping 
• Glass containers/bottles
• Open fires or flames (except in provided grills)
• Gathering or cutting firewood
• Smoking or vaping (except in designated areas)
• Motorized vehicles outside of established streets and parking areas (except authorized) 
• Littering, graffiti or markings on parks, facilities or trail
• Alcoholic beverages (allowed when purchasing an alcohol beverage permit which are allowed ONLY in
   conjunction with a shelter/pavilion or special event reservation; alcohol permits expire at 10:00P on the
   day of the reservation)
• Swimming, wading, boating, ice skating, ice fishing and bow fishing (float tube “belly boat” fishing allowed
   ONLY at River’s Edge Natural Area except at Jayhawker North Pond)
• Jump castles, dunk tanks, pony rides or other similar set-ups
• Silly String, paint or any other item that may contain dyes and permanently mark up areas
• Horses in parks, open lands or on trails (except police) 
• Feeding, trapping, hunting or disturbing wildlife 
• Discharge or use of firearms, projectiles or fireworks
• Collecting, removing, destroying or defacing any natural or manmade object or surface area including
   but not limited to: turf, concrete, flower beds, shelters/pavilions & picnic tables
• Vending in parks, open lands or on trails (except with prior permission/permit from the
   Parks & Recreation Department)
• Private landscaping or use of parks, open lands or trails (and easements on which they are located)
   including extensions of backyard landscaping, trash or rubbish dumping or other unauthorized use
• Any encroachment or storage of privately owned items in parks, open lands or on trails

  PETS

• Pet owners must pick up and remove pet waste (waste bag dispensers are located in various areas in parks, open lands and along trail)
• Pets must be leashed and under human control at all times (except in designated dog park enclosures where pets must remain under voice control; a leash is required for arrival and departure or if there are
   control issues in the dog park areas)
• Pets are NOT allowed: in environmentally sensitive areas including Prairie Ridge Natural Area and Morey Wildlife Reserve (in accordance with the conservation easement); inside the Centennial Park Baseball Complex; on inline hockey rinks, skate park areas, spray parks, basketball and volleyball courts; on the Championship Field at Loveland Sports Park; or within 100 feet of any other athletic courts or fields while practices or games are being played (trained companion dogs are allowed, but must be kept under direct supervision and owners must pick up and remove pet waste).

Recreation Trail Guidelines

• Bicyclists yield to other trail users
• Stay on the designated trail and respect the rights of adjacent property owners
• Be courteous to others on the trail; share the trail
• The flow of traffic on the trail is similar to road traffic; always ride or walk on the right side and
   verbally warn others that you are passing on the left
• Ride or walk single file when traffic is approaching from the opposite direction or when someone
   verbally signals they would like to pass
• Be predictable: ride/walk in a straight line; avoid weaving
• Max speed 15MPH
• Bicyclists are encouraged to use helmets and to make sure bikes are operational and properly equipped (including reflectors and lights)

 Dog Park Rules

• The off leash area (OLA) is for dogs and their people. No other animals are permitted.
• Please keep your dog on a leash when entering and exiting the Dog Park. Close the gate behind you.
• Dogs must be vaccinated, licensed and wear the appropriate tags.
• If other dogs are in the park, please keep your dog on leash until you know they are compatible.
• Remove your dog from the OLA at first sign of aggression. If a person or dog is bitten contact Larimer County Animal Control at 970.226.3647.
• If your dog is under four months old, in heat or sick, please bring them another time.
• Please clean up after your dog. Pick up another dog's waste if their owner has missed it, or kindly notify the owner.
• Do not allow your dog to jump on people.
• You're responsible for any holes or damage created by your dog.
• Don't bring food or drinks into the OLA.
• Pick up any trash you find, as debris can end up in a dog's mouth.
• Remember, you're using the OLA at your own risk. Supervise young children and your dog at all times!

There may be closures for maintenance and/or repairs. Check the detours & closures page.

Tennis | Pickleball Court Rules

• All courts remain open for drop-in use unless the court is reserved in advance (check the posted calendar)
• The reserving party has exclusive use of that court for the duration of the posted reservation time
• Reservations are confirmed when a facility use permit is completed and fees are paid
• To make a reservation, call 970.962.2432 at least 12 hours in advance of the desired reservation date
• Online reservations: lovgov.org/webtrac

Skate Park Rules
• Inspect the riding and playing surfaces before use
• Protective gear (helmets, knee pads, wrist protectors, etc.) is strongly recommended
• No riding during maintenance activities or when the skate park is closed
• Modifications to the skating surfaces are not allowed
• No adding of ramps, jumps or other obstacles
• No food/beverages on the skating surfaces or areas
• Spectators and pets are not allowed on the skating surface

Skate park may be closed until further notice if:
• Any liquid other than rain, snow or hail gets on the street course, ramps or bowls
• The skating surface or any part of the facility is damaged 
• Tagging, graffiti or stickers are found on the skate surface, street course, ramps or bowls

Spray Park | Playground Rules

• Please visit the Fairgrounds Park, Loveland Sports Park, and Mehaffey Park pages to view hours for the spray parks or waterfall feature.
• Children under 7 years old should be supervised by an adult
• Surfaces may be hot or slippery - footwear is recommended at all times for safety
• Drinking the spray water or stream water is prohibited
• No climbing on spray park equipment
• No smoking, vaping, glass containers/bottles, food, alcohol or pets at spray park or in playground areas
• Inspect the play area before starting to play
• Do not hang clothes or towels on trees, walls, structures or stone benches
• Bathing is prohibited at spray park
• Swim diapers are required for children under 4 years old
• Please clear the area when conditions for thunder and lightning are possible

Spray park/playground may be closed until further notice if:
• The spray surface or any part of the equipment is damaged or undergoing maintenance
• Tagging, graffiti or stickers are found on any surface

Loveland Sports Park (LSP) Championship Field Rules 

• Protective gear is strongly recommended 
• Smoking, food, beverages and pets are not allowed on the field surface
• No metal cleats or gear that will damage the turf
• Parks & Recreation Department programmed use of the facility takes precedence over drop-ins
• The Championship Field may be closed if the field surface or any part of the facility is damaged or
   undergoing maintenance

Report accidents & emergencies to the Police Department (dial 911). 

Report maintenance concerns or vandalism to the
Parks & Recreation Department, 970.962.2727.

The Rules and Regulations brochure may be picked up at:

Parks & Recreation Administration Office
500 E. Third St., Suite 200 | Loveland, CO

SEE ALSO: Rules & regulations for 
Electronic Personal Assistance Mobility Devices (EPAMD)