Charley Emley Park

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: Lower Ridgewood Park Angeline Little Greeway Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Charley Emley Park is a small but picturesque park located in the city of Durango, Colorado.

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Summary

The park features a playground, basketball court, and picnic areas, making it a great location for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

In addition to its recreational offerings, Charley Emley Park is also home to the Durango Community Garden, where visitors can see a variety of fruits and vegetables being grown by local gardeners. The park is also adjacent to the Durango Dog Park, a popular spot for dog owners to let their furry friends run off-leash.

One unique feature of Charley Emley Park is its location along the Animas River Trail, a scenic walking and biking path that runs for miles through Durango. Visitors to the park can easily access the trail and take in the beautiful views of the river and surrounding landscape.

The best time of year to visit Charley Emley Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months.

Overall, Charley Emley Park is a charming spot in Durango that is worth a visit for its recreational amenities, community garden, and access to the Animas River Trail.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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