Park of the Week: Genesee Park offers buffalos, hiking trails and more

Denver's first mountain park, Genesee Park , just happens to be its largest.

The big picture: The sprawling space in Golden is one of 22 accessible parks in the city's Mountain Parks system, which encompasses 14,000 acres and includes 24 conservation areas — all outside the city proper.

• Genesee Park, acquired by Denver in 1913, extends 2,400 acres in Jefferson County, about 30 minutes west of Denver.

If you go: Visit the Genesee Mountain Summit, rising 8,284 feet above sea level, to get a panoramic view of the city and plains from the Continental Divide.

Fun fact: The park's famous buffalo herd is descended from the last remaining wild herd in Yellowstone National Park, parks and recreation spokesperson Stephanie Figueroa tells us.

• The city often donates calves birthed by the herd to American Indian tribes , including the Northern Arapaho Tribe and Eastern Shoshone Tribe, both in Wyoming.
• The buffalo's caretaker resides in the Patrick House, built in 1860 — the oldest structure in the mountain park's system — and is reportedly haunted .

Address: 26771 Genesee Ln., Golden, CO 80401.

Amenities: Buffalo herd, hiking trails, event rental space and picnic areas.