The active lifestyle of the Northern Colorado region defines its population. Residents are able to take advantage of excellent hiking, fishing, boating, and camping with easy access to county and state parks as well as Rocky Mountain National Park which is only 60 minutes from Loveland. Viestenz-Smith is a community owned mountain park halfway between Loveland and Estes Park, about a 30 minute drive. Viestenz-Smith is located right on the Big Thompson River creating a great location for picnicking or just relaxing in the fresh Colorado mountain air.
Loveland community parks encourage participation in such diverse activities as soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, disc golf, biking, hiking, running, skateboarding and frolicking with your pooch in the local dog park. There are several indoor swimming pools open to the public as well as one outdoor pool and the ever popular Lake Loveland Swim Beach. The Old Fairgrounds Park includes a special water feature for young children.
Loveland has three golf courses; the 9-hole Cattail Creek, Marianna Butte, and the Olde Course at Loveland which are both 18-holes courses.
The Hatfield Chilson Recreation Center features a swimming pool, handball courts, racquetball, workout facilities, spinning classes, and basketball courts. It also holds craft classes for children and has adaptive programs for residents with special needs.
The City of Loveland Parks & Recreation Department maintains parks/recreation areas including:
- 22 softball fields
- 8 baseball fields
- 3 inline hockey rinks
- 2 skate park areas
- 21 outdoor tennis courts
- 10 outdoor basketball courts
- 26 playgrounds
- 11 park areas with Amenities and Reservable Gazebos / Shelters / Pavilions
- 21 park areas with Amenities only (no reservable shelters)
For sports fans Loveland is home to the ECHL Colorado Eagles and the Colorado Ice indoor football team. Both teams play at the Budweiser Events Center located at the Larimer County Fairgrounds in Loveland.
An easy hour drive away are the well known Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rockies, and the Colorado Avalanche. Loveland is also centrally located for college sports fans of the University of Colorado Buffalos, Colorado State University Rams, and the University of Northern Colorado Bears. Fans wishing to venture out just a bit further can enjoy the University of Wyoming Cowboys, the Denver University Pioneers, and the Colorado School of Mines Miners.
Did we mention that according to a recent Gallup poll and the latest report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Colorado has the lowest obesity rates in the country?
Loveland isn’t just about physical activity. The town also features the Loveland Art Academy, the Timberlane Farm Museum, the Colorado Computer Museum, and the Loveland Museum and Art Gallery. The Loveland Museum also has a recently added special section on the history of local firefighters including an original hose cart, a display of fire fighting gear, photos from a variety of Loveland fires, and is staffed by retired firefighters with interesting stories to share.
Benson Park Sculpture Garden is a delightful way to spend a lazy summer afternoon enjoying bronzes created by world renowned sculptors such as George Lundeen, Dawn Weimer, and Fritz White.