Washington Park Lawn Bowling Club celebrates 100th anniversary

Members of the Washington Park Lawn Bowling Club during a celebration of their 100th anniversary on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Washington Park in Denver. (Photo by Daniel Brenner/Special to The Denver Post)

The majority of the Washington Park Lawn Bowling Club consists of people who happen to be walking by the green and are curious and want to learn more. It starts with a question. For example, “Is that bocce ball?”

No, this is lawn bowling, a Commonwealth game popular in the United Kingdom. The aim is to roll lawn bowls – hard resin balls – at an angle so that they fly along a curved track as close as possible to the target ball, a smaller white ball called a “jack.”

The 120 square meter property is located between Mount Vernon Garden and Grasmere Lake in Wash Park.

Mark Newton is a member who enjoys the physical, mental and social aspects of the game. “The number one priority is to share the sport with the city of Denver and grow our membership,” he said.

About 50 people attended the club’s 100th anniversary celebration on June 28th and enjoyed social games, ice creams and anniversary cakes.

Lawn bowlers welcomed the Denver Croquet Club in 1985. Since then, the nonprofit clubs have shared the costs of care, repairs and maintenance. “We look forward to at least another 100 years of coexistence,” said longtime croquet member Judy McKeon.

Dan Williams, partnership manager for Denver Parks and Recreation, spoke about the historic significance of a century. “I can count on one hand how many other city partners there are that are that old. The Denver Zoo, the Denver Botanic Garden, the Museum of Nature and Science and the Lawn Bowling Club. So very good company.”

For those who want to learn more, free lessons are offered on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.