Kanemoto, One of the Best Parks in Longmont!

Near the southern edge of Longmont, just north of Prospect, you will find a new favorite place, Kanemoto Park. Not only is the playground fun (and next to a perfect summer pool for little ones), it comes with a bit of town history as well.

In 1966, the land where the park currently sits was donated to the City of Longmont by the Kanemoto family. The seven-acre park was named after the patriarch Goroku Kanemoto (1882-1935) who immigrated from Japan in 1910. According to the Longmont Observer, the sons of Kanemoto, Jimmie and George, commissioned the Tower of Compassion (explained in detail below) in 1972 as a symbol of gratitude for the kindness the community showed the family during World War II. Kanemoto Park has now become one of the best parks in Longmont and is a city treasure.

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Address: 1151 S Pratt Pkwy, Longmont, CO 80501

Kanemoto Park Logistics

Bathroom: During the summer, there is a bathroom building and drinking fountain available. Unfortunately, no bathroom available for the off season so plan accordingly.

Shade: The play structure has a large canopy to provide shade over the playground, however only one covered bench for parents & caregivers. There are large trees closer to the Tower of Compassion, perfect spots to enjoy a picnic lunch. Don’t forget a blanket! 🙂

Age Recommendations: For the playground itself, ages 2 to 8 would love it! No big thrills but there are your typical swings and monkey bars for those older. For the very young, there are two baby swings (one is an Expression swing where you can sit across from your baby!) and toddler slides.

For more themed playgrounds, check out our list here! You’ll be amazed at how many hidden gems there are in Colorado!

Unique Features of Kanemoto Park

The playground was in great shape with a Japanese theme. I loved walking across the Japanese Koi fish and cherry blossom rubber flooring! My five year old loved all of the climbing options – rocks, circular ladder, ropes, and leaves. Each type brought her a new challenge.

In addition to the playground, there is a baseball practice field, two sand volleyball courts and a basketball court available. And, don’t forget a few sand toys for the sandbox!

Surrounding Area Highlights

Kanemoto Park’s Tower of Compassion

Adjacent to the playground is a five story Pagoda called the “Tower of Compassion”. Built like a traditional Japanese style temple, it is a beautiful sight. I instantly felt at peace as I slowly walked around, taking it all in. What a beautiful gift from the Kanemoto family to the city of Longmont!

Each level of the tower stands for a different element to the meaning of compassion. This message to the city is part of the reason why Kanemoto is one of the best parks in Longmont. I was so touched by these words, I am sharing the inscription with all of you.

• Love “If I truly love someone, I must love all humanity. How can I really love someone if I hate others?“
• Empathy “Your happiness is my happiness. Your sadness is my sadness. I feel your pain. I feel your joy.“
• Understanding “Mankind is one. We are all interdependent. How can I alone be happy if my family is sad? How can we Americans be really happy when over half the world goes to bed hungry?
• Gratitude of All Things “I am here because of my parents, food I eat comes from the land, clothing I wear comes from the animals, shelter I live in comes from the trees. The knowledge I have comes from my parents, teachers and others. Therefore, I am the total sum of others, so I must have gratitude to all things.“
• Giving Selflessly of Oneself “As I give myself to others, strangely enough, I find myself and I find real happiness.“

“All these put together become the essence of true compassion and this is what the Tower of Compassion stands for.“

Kanemoto Pool (Summer only) & Elementary School

Also nearby, the Kanemoto Pool is a great option for your young water lovers during the summer. For a small cost, your little ones can enjoy a zero entry pool with slide.

If you visit Kanemoto Park on a weekend or during non-school hours, Burlington Elementary has a fantastic playground as well!

Do you have a favorite among the best parks in Longmont? Give it a shout out in the comments below!

Thanks for joining us at Slides & Sunshine! Now it’s time to get out there and PLAY!

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