Parks, Forestry & Cemetery

Please remember to wear a life jacket when playing on the Arkansas River. Life jackets are required for persons of all ages when swimming, rafting, tubing, etc. on the river. BE SAFE!

Parks Responsibilities

The Parks, Open Space, and Cemetery Department is responsible for the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of the following City-owned facilities:

  • Cemeteries
  • Open space
  • Parks
  • Recreational facilities
  • Trails

Parks Division

The Cañon City Parks Division maintains sixteen public parks as well as many public use areas and green belts, comprising more than 6,500 acres, including three mountain parks and two Cemeteries.

Responsibilities

The Parks, Open Space, and Cemetery Department ensures that the following responsibilities are performed:

  • Burial services are performed in a courteous and respectful manner
  • Campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, and open space areas are patrolled and rules and regulations are enforced
  • Good turf grass management practices are followed
  • Recreational facilities are safe, cleaned, and repaired
  • Trash and litter is removed in all parks and public areas including the Main Street pedestrian area
  • Trees and shrubs are maintained

Services

The Parks, Open Space, and Cemetery Department is also responsible for overseeing contracted services including:

  • Contracted mowing
  • Removal of dead trees
  • Street tree pruning
  • Stump grinding
  • Trimming services

Grants

The Parks, Open Space, and Cemetery Department assists the Administrative Service’s Department in obtaining and administering a range of grants including Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Park and Recreation grants, and processes approximately 600 park use permits per year.

Online Forms

Park Related Documents

  1. Application for Placing Sign in Public Park (PDF)
  2. Centennial Park Pavilions Map and Photos (PDF)
  3. Commercial Trail Event Policy (PDF)
  4. Map of East Ridge Campground (PDF)
  5. Park Use Permit - Private Event (PDF)
  6. Park Use Permit - Sponsored Event (PDF)
  7. Parks Rules and Regulations (PDF)

Park Trails and Maps

Visit our Maps Page to view static and interactive maps of our city parks and trail systems.

JANUARY 13, 2026
NOTICE OF ABANDONED BURIAL SPACE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Lakeside Cemetery, located at 1008 Elm Avenue, Cañon City, Colorado, intends to reclaim approximately 500 burial plots that are 100 years or older and have been determined to be abandoned and/or unused in accordance with Article V, Section 6 of the City Cemetery Rules and Regulations. The burial spaces and information are listed below. The owner(s) has failed to inter the burial space, the burial space is presumed abandoned pursuant to City of Cañon City Cemetery Rules and Regulations Article V, Section 6.  If you wish to retain one of the below listed burial sites, you must notify the City of your intent to retain the burial space by: March 14, 2026, 60 DAYS AFTER NOTICE DATE.  Notice must be sent by either physical mail or email, and may be sent to:

PO Box 1460
Cañon City, CO 81215-1460
Attn: Cemetery Department
sddavis@canoncity.org

If the City does not receive notification that you intend to retain the burial space by the date above, the abandonment will become final and the City may sell, transfer, or convey the right to internment.

Please feel free to contact Stormy Davis if you have any questions at 719.276.7082.

Sincerely,

Cindy Foster Owens, MMC
City Clerk