Lee Martines Park

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: Jefferson Street Heritage Center Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lee Martinez Park is a popular park located in Fort Collins, Colorado.

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Summary

It is a great place to visit because of its beautiful scenery and plethora of activities. It features a dog park, a playground, a skate park, a pool, and many picnic areas. The park is also home to a wildlife sanctuary and a greenhouse. Visitors can enjoy the many walking trails, fishing in the Poudre River, or even ride on a miniature train.

One of the most interesting points of interest in the park is the Gardens on Spring Creek, a botanical garden that showcases plants native to Colorado. Visitors can also check out the Poudre River Whitewater Park, a popular destination for kayakers and rafters.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the park was named for Lee Martinez, a local businessman who donated the land for the park in the 1970s. Additionally, the park is said to be haunted by a ghost called "The Lady in White."

The best time to visit the park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the outdoor activities are in full swing. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for all seasons. It is recommended to check the park's website for specific events and hours of operation.

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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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