Parks and Recreation Newsletter - October 2026
Halloween Events, Fall Leagues, Facility Feasibility Studies, Sponsorships at Chapman Hill & More!
Fall is in full swing, and October brings Halloween fun, recreation programs, time on the ice and opportunities to connect with the community. Explore what’s coming up with Durango Parks and Recreation and register for programs online.
View our full list of sports and programs in the Enrichment Guide at: DurangoCO.gov/EnrichmentGuide
Click here to register now for an open sport or program.
Recreation Center Closure: Oct. 11–17 (Pool October 10-18)
The Durango Community Recreation Center will be closed to the public October 11–17 for annual cleaning and maintenance. The Recreation Center will reopen Sunday, October 18, at 10 a.m. The aquatics area will be closed October 10–18 and reopen Monday, October 19, at 5:45 a.m. There will be no fitness classes on Saturday, October 10, and the racquetball courts and track will also be closed that day. The Parks and Recreation Administrative Office will remain open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween with Family-Friendly Events
Get into the Halloween spirit with two family-friendly events at the Durango Recreation Center.
Mischief Masquerade Halloween Party — October 24, 2–4 p.m.**
Celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of festive fun. Music, costumes, face painting, black lights, crafts and a sensory room. Admission is $5 per child.
Murder and Mocktails Mystery Event**
Celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of festive fun. Music, costumes, face painting, black lights, crafts and a sensory room. Admission is $5 per child.
High school and college students, Ages 14-22: Wednesday, October 28, 6–7:30 p.m. — Free Event
Adults, 21+: Friday, October 30, 6–7:30 p.m. — $25
Pop-Up Haunted House — October 31, 2–5 p.m.
Bring the family to our Animas River themed Haunted House on Halloween! Live actors, face painting, sensory touch tables! Admission is $5 per child or $10 per family. Scare factor for ages 3-8, all ages welcome. Wheel-chair accessible!
Register for Halloween and Murder Mystery events online.
Take to the Ice at Chapman Hill or Get Ready for Snow Season
Skating season is underway at Chapman Hill Ice Rink! Chapman Hill offers ice programs for a variety of ages and skill levels, including youth learn-to-skate lessons, adult learn-to-skate classes and adult hockey leagues. Explore Chapman Hill programs.
Season passes for the 2026-2027 Ski/Snowboard season can be purchased now online, in person at Chapman Hill or the Durango Community Recreation Center. You can book youth ski and snowboard lessons online right now too! Don't wait Durango!
Sponsorship Opportunities at Chapman Hill Rink
Chapman Hill offers sponsorship opportunities at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Hill, providing local businesses and organizations with opportunities to support recreation and connect with the Durango community. Opportunities may include on-ice logos, dasher board advertising, rink banners, and other facility advertising placements. Sponsorships help support Parks and Recreation facilities and programs while providing visibility to participants, families, spectators, and visitors throughout the season.
For information about available sponsorship opportunities, pricing, and application requirements, please submit an inquiry through the sponsorship page.
Open Space and Trails
Fall colors are at their peak across much of the Durango area! Visit Durango’s Leaf-o-Meter tracks changing colors in and around the region. As you head out to enjoy the season, be mindful of changing weather and trail conditions. Wet, muddy, icy or leaf-covered surfaces can make trails slippery, so plan ahead, dress for the conditions and help protect our natural spaces by staying on designated trails.
Planning your next outing is easier than ever with the City's new interactive Trail Map & Finder. Search trails, view amenities, find trailheads, and plan your next adventure here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b6b2053a66b1409795c30987421c4350/page/2D
Tag us on Social Media!
📸 We want to see where the trails take you!**Share your adventures with us on social media and tag your photos—your journey might inspire someone else to hit the trail.
Pets should remain on leash throughout City of Durango and please dispose of any pet waste properly. The only area that dogs are allowed off leash is at the Dog Park located at the base of Smelter Mountain. Please remember that animals are not permitted at Oxbow Preserve nor at Greenmount Cemetery.
Important Dates and Events in October
Keep in mind these important dates for registration and events. Click here to register for a sport or program.
October 6, 8 and 10: Youth Learn to Skate sessions at Chapman Hill begin and continue throughout the ice season.
October 7: Adult Ice Titans programming begins at Chapman Hill and continue throughout the ice season.
October 10–18: Pool at Recreation Center closed
October 11–17: Community Recreation Center closed for annual maintenance week
October 13–16: Outdoor Adventure Camp for ages 8–12, 3–6 p.m. at Folsom Park. $16/day
October 17: Stories in the Park at Santa Rita Park, 10–10:45 a.m. Free, in partnership with Durango Public Library.
October 20–29: Intermediate Pickleball Clinics
October 24: Mischief Masquerade Halloween Party, 2–4 p.m. $5 per child.
October 28: Murder and Mocktails for high school and college students, 6–7:30 p.m. Free.
October 30: Murder and Mocktails for adults ages 21 and older, 6–7:30 p.m. $25.
October 31: Pop-Up Haunted House, 2–5 p.m. $5 per child or $10 per family.
Other programs offered during October include Dungeons & Dragons, Teen Art Lounge, afterschool mountain biking, martial arts, gymnastics and fall prevention programming. Visit the online activity guide for program dates, details and availability.
**Public Ice Skate @ Chapman Hill **- View Live Calendar, subject to change.
Monday-Friday: 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., 2-3:30 p.m.
Sunday: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Disco Light Public Skate
Fridays: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Saturday 6-7:30 p.m.
Durango Gymnastics Fall/Winter Open Gym Schedule
Preschool Open Gym $8/session- Ages 5 and under. Preschool open gym is on a drop-in basis, no registration is required.
Monday: 11 AM - 12 PM
Tuesday: 11 AM - 12 PM
Wednesday: 10 - 11 AM
Thursday: 11 AM - 12 PM
Friday: 10 - 11 AM
School Age Open Gym $10/session- Grades K through 10th. Drop-in basis, no registration is required. First Friday of each month only.**
K-5th: 5:45 - 6:45 PM
5th-10th: 7 - 8 PM
Adult Open Gym $15/session- Ages 16 and older. Adults must present an ID prior to participating in adult open gym. Drop-in basis, no registration is required.
Wednesday: 7:30 - 9 PM