Loveland, Colorado has more than 600 works of public art on display throughout the city, much of it in semi-natural environments. With no admission fees and easy walking paths, you can view these pieces, valued at over $12.5 million, on a series of short, leisurely strolls.
Experiencing art as part of the landscape, rather than inside a museum, is what makes Loveland stand out as a destination. Whether you’re a serious art enthusiast or just want some fresh air, Loveland’s parks and gardens let you discover sculptures, gardens, and unexpected art installations on foot.
This guide highlights the best places for an easy art walk in Loveland, plus a few bonus art stops worth adding to your itinerary. I’ll also show you where to find Loveland’s three distinctive “love lock” sculptures, iconic interactive creations that solidify Loveland as the “Sweetheart City”.
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- Introduction to Loveland, Colorado
- Benson Sculpture Garden: Loveland’s Classic Sculpture Walk
- Benson Sculpture Garden at North Lake Park
- Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra: Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture in Loveland
- McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park and Loveland Visitors Center
- Public Art at Loveland Lake’s South Shore Parkway
- Foote Lagoon and Public Art in Downtown Loveland
- Bonus Stops-Where to Find Other Outdoor Art in Loveland
- Practical Tips for Enjoying Public Art in Loveland
- Where to Stay in Loveland for Your Art Walks
- Pin It for Later: Easy Public Art Walks in Loveland
- Wrapping Up Public Art Walks in Loveland
Introduction to Loveland, Colorado
Loveland, Colorado is located in Larimer County in Northern Colorado. At the base of the Rocky Mountains, the Big Thompson River flows through it. North to South, it lies between Fort Collins and Denver (46 miles (74 km) away), with Rocky Mountain National Park about 26 miles (42 km) to the west.
Origins of Loveland, Colorado
Homesteading along the Big Thompson River in the Loveland area started in 1858. Settlers were drawn in by the proximity of the Colorado Overland Trail, a trading and travel route that eventually included stagecoach traffic (1858) and mail delivery.
Loveland became a railroad town. Railroad pioneer William A. H. Loveland organized the Colorado Central Railroad (CCR) to connect Colorado’s mountain mining communities with Golden and points farther north, eventually linking to the transcontinental railroad at Cheyenne, Wyoming. Construction stalled in 1873 due to financial difficulties, but resumed in 1877. At that time, Loveland’s friend David Barnes donated part of his wheat field for the railroad right-of-way and platted a town, naming it Loveland. A depot soon followed, and the town was incorporated in 1881.
With the railroad in place, Loveland grew rapidly, and agriculture became a primary industry. The Great Western Sugar Company built a sugar beet mill in Loveland in 1901 that operated until 1985.
In the 1910s, train lines brought passengers to Loveland so they could be transported by car to Estes Park. This early tourism travel increased after Rocky Mountain National Park was established in 1915.
The railroad fueled rapid growth, with agriculture becoming a major industry. In 1901, the Great Western Sugar Company built a sugar beet mill in Loveland that operated until 1985. Rail travel also helped establish Loveland as a gateway to nearby Estes Park, bringing visitors who continued their journey by automobile. Tourism grew further after Rocky Mountain National Park was established in 1915.
During the late 1920s, Loveland also became nationally notable for fruit growing, including sour cherries. The cherry industry declined due to droughts, supply shortages during World War II, and competition from other regions. By the 1950s, even the sugar beet industry was stagnating.
At this time, Loveland civic and business leaders began actively seeking new industry and attracted Hewlett-Packard, which opened a production facility in 1960.
Loveland is also known as Sweetheart City based on its long association with Valentine’s Day. Beginning in 1947, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service, began a Valentine re-mailing program. Every year, volunteers hand-stamp and re-mail thousands of cards with a special Valentine’s postmark, which changes each year and is chosen through a competition. The city also hosts a yearly Sweetheart Festival.
About Public Art in Loveland, Colorado
Loveland has long supported cultural life through institutions such as the Rialto Theater, opened in 1920, and the Loveland Museum, founded in 1937. When Art Castings of Colorado began shifting from industrial work to casting sculptural works in 1972, it helped launch a new visual-art industry.
How Loveland Became a Sculpture City
Foundries Loveland Sculpture Works (now closed) and Bronze Services of Loveland, as well as the Loveland Academy of Fine Arts (now closed), also contributed to Loveland’s emerging bronze-sculpture community. These institutions supported a network of sculptors, instructors, and skilled foundry artisans that helped establish Loveland as a center for bronze sculpture.
Loveland’s Sculpture in the Park Exhibition
In 1984, Loveland residents, including many of its sculptors, conceived of an outdoor art exhibition in the city’s BENSON PARK. Sculpture in the Park was a rousing success, and the show paved the way for the City of Loveland to turn Benson Park into a permanent sculpture garden.
Sculpture in the Park is now an annual event that occurs on the second weekend in August, and it’s the largest juried sculpture show in North America.
The Art in Public Places Ordinance
The abundance of public art in Loveland is no coincidence or accident; it’s the law! Back in 1985, the city committed to supporting public art when it passed the Art in Public Places Ordinance. The law requires that one percent of municipal capital budgets over $50,000 be dedicated to acquiring, showcasing, and preserving local art pieces.
Today, this visionary program flourishes under the stewardship of the City’s Cultural Services Division and an appointed nine-member Visual Arts Commission. Loveland’s public art collection includes nearly 600 pieces valued at approximately $12.5–$12.9 million. While sculptures are concentrated in parks, you can find artworks outdoors all over the city. Here’s where to go in Loveland to experience its public art on foot.
Benson Sculpture Garden: Loveland’s Classic Sculpture Walk
If you do nothing else in Loveland, visit the Benson Sculpture Garden. Nearly 200 sculptures of all types fill a beautiful landscape spanning 10 acres (4 ha). The sculptures range from whimsical to profound, and are made from bronze, wood, stone, and more. The subject matter is also diverse, with sculptures of people and animals interspersed with more abstract pieces.
About the Benson Sculpture Park
Once a homestead and farm of the Benson family, the parkland was donated for bird and wetlands conservation. After the success of the inaugural Sculpture in the Park show in 1984, Benson Park became a permanent sculpture garden.
Walking in Benson Sculpture Garden
The grassy park has a nearly flat, paved walking path circling three small lakes, with crossings between them. A central shaded area has seating and a pavilion building with restrooms. The walk is about one mile (1.6 km) and takes less than an hour at an easy pace.
You don’t need a map to find your way around the park, but here’s a link 🔗 to the AllTrails Map of the loop walk in the Benson Sculpture Garden.
The Benson Sculpture Garden also has an interactive online map showing the locations and names of all the sculptures.
Examples of Sculptures in Benson Sculpture Garden
These are just a few of the sculptures in the Benson Sculpture Garden that caught my eye. These photos illustrate the diversity of artworks in this lovely park.
Visiting Benson Sculpture Garden – Practical Information
- 📍1125 W 29th St, Loveland, CO (corner of 29th & Beech Drive)
- 🔗Benson Sculpture Garden
- Admission: FREE
- Parking: Parking (including handicap-accessible parking) is available along Aspen Drive and on streets surrounding the park.
- Hours: 6 AM – 10:30 PM. EXCEPT for Sculpture in the Park, which has ticketed admission
- Restrooms -yes
- Accessibility: This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers.
Benson Sculpture Garden at North Lake Park
The Benson Sculpture Garden has so many sculptures that, in 2015, the collection expanded into neighboring North Lake Park. This park is larger than the Benson Sculpture Garden, but the sculptures are located in a smallish area on the north and west sides near the lake. North Lake Park is a good choice if you have limited time to view the sculptures.
Walking in Benson Sculpture Garden at North Lake Park
You don’t need to walk around the entire lake to see the sculptures here, but the scenic 0.7-mile (1.1 km) loop took me about 30 minutes to walk while viewing the art.
AllTrails has a map of an even longer loop route in North Lake Park (1 mile, 1.6 km) that includes more walking in the park away from the sculpture area. Again, the sculptures are only on the upper part of the loop, and on the north and west sides of the pond. The Benson Sculpture Garden interactive online map shows the exact placement of the sculptures.
Sculptures in North Lake Park
Visiting Benson Sculpture Garden at North Lake Park – Practical Information
- 📍N Lake Park Rd, Loveland, CO 80538
- 🔗Benson Sculpture Garden
- Admission: FREE
- Parking: Enter on N Lake Park Road via N Taft Ave for parking access
- Hours: 6 AM – 10:30 AM
- Restrooms: Yes; ADA-accessible portable restrooms are available.
- Potable water available
Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra: Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture in Loveland
Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra in Loveland opened in 2007. It’s the largest outdoor collection of monumental Zimbabwean stone sculpture in the United States. “Chapungu” (pronounced cha-poon-goo) is the African name for the Bateleur eagle, a spiritual messenger to the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
This 26-acre (10.5 ha) park contains 82 stone sculptures, all created by Zimbabwean artists with Zimbabwean stone. Many of these massive hand-carved stone works weigh several tons.
The park has a year-long event calendar, which includes a summer concert series, garden tours, bird tours, and a holiday lights display at Christmastime.
Why is there a Zimbabwean Stone (Shona) Sculpture Park in Loveland, Colorado?
The Shona sculpture park in Loveland traces its roots back to the 1950s, when British national Frank McEwan started a workshop for Zimbabwean stone sculptors. After McEwan’s departure, South African art collector Roy Guthrie established the original Chapungu Sculpture Park in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1970 to support the artists and display his collection.
Eventually, Guthrie exhibited Shona sculptures internationally. One touring exhibition visited multiple Botanical Gardens and arboretums in the United States from 2001 to 2004.
Around this time, Guthrie was looking for a creative home base in North America. It’s not surprising that Guthrie connected with the arts community in Loveland, given its strong presence of artists, foundries, and a public commitment to displaying art.
A real estate developer donated land for Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra and funded design and improvements. The result is a stunning natural area complemented by the immersive Shona sculptures.
Walking in Chapungu Sculpture Park
The park’s 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of concrete and gravel trails form a meandering loop around ponds, treed areas, and landscaped gardens. The park is ADA accessible. The paths are generally flat, with a few gentle hills near the north end.
A few detours and options to move off of the main path enhance the sensation of exploration. If you’d like a map, here’s a link 🔗 to the AllTrails Map of the loop walk in Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra. The Chapungu Sculpture Park interactive online map shows the locations and names of the sculptures, grouped by theme (Nature and the Environment, Village Life, The Role of Women, The Elders, The Spirit World, Customs and Legend, The Family, and The Children).
My Sculpture Picks in Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra
Visiting Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra – Practical Information
- 📍5995 Sky Pond Dr, Loveland, CO
- 🔗Chapungu Sculpture Park
- Admission: FREE
- Parking: Yes.
- Hours: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Restrooms: Yes.
Since Chapungu Sculpture Park is adjacent to the Promenade Shops at Centerra, you can combine your visit with a coffee stop, a meal, errands, or shopping.
McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park and Loveland Visitors Center
East of Chapungu Sculpture Park and adjacent to Loveland’s East Gateway Visitor Center, the McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park is a green space with mountain views anchored by a small lake. While smaller than the Sculpture parks described above, the sculptures here are just as expressive and interesting. If you’re stopping by the Visitors Center for tourist information or to use the restroom, it’s an easy decision to take a few extra minutes to stretch your legs and see the artworks.
Walking around the McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park and Loveland Visitors Center
Looping around the Visitors Center and the lake was about a 0.3-mile (0.44 km) walk, which took about 15 minutes.
Sculptures at McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park
The Famous Love Lock Sculpture at the Loveland Visitors Center
Additionally, Loveland’s original LOVE lock sculpture just outside the Visitors Center is hard to miss. It’s said to be the largest love lock sculpture in the United States, and one of three in the city (the other two are described later in this article).
A “love lock” is typically a padlock that couples fasten to a bridge or similar public fixture to symbolize their love. Bring your own lock to attach (metal and smaller than 4” x 4″ x 3” (10 cm x 10 cm x 7.6 cm)). You can also buy and inscribe a lock at the Visitors Center.
The 10-foot-tall (3 m) steel letters L, O, V, and E span 30 feet (9 m) and weigh 24,000 pounds (10,886 kg) in total. Each letter has a grid design on the back so people can attach love locks. First seen at Loveland’s 2019 Sweetheart Festival, it was designed to hold the weight of hundreds of metal locks.
Visiting the McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park – Practical Information
- 📍5400 Stone Creek Circle, Loveland, CO (adjacent to the East Gateway Loveland Visitors Center)
- 🔗McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park
- Admission: FREE
- Parking: next to the Visitors Center
- Hours: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Restrooms inside the Visitors Center, open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed Sunday).
Public Art at Loveland Lake’s South Shore Parkway
Continuing west of the Visitors Center, you’ll reach a narrow strip of land on Lake Loveland’s south shore. The South Shore Parkway is worth a stop for a few notable artworks and spectacular lake views.
Walking and Viewing Art Along the South Shore Parkway
To see the art here, walk along the sidewalk paralleling the waterfront. It’s about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) long.
At the east end of the parkway, there’s a replica Statue of Liberty sculpture near an American Flag. Here, you’ll also find the Lake Loveland Love Lock sculpture, the city’s second love lock sculpture. This structure is a stylized red heart, 12 feet, 3 inches (3.7 m) tall and 14 feet, 3 inches wide. Like the LOVE lock sculpture at the Loveland Visitor Center, the back side had a grid for attaching visitor love locks.
Among the other sculptures along the lake, I was especially taken by Generations (1991), a bronze-and-sandstone sculpture by Fritz White. An elderly scribe represents the past, a torch-bearing couple embodies the present, and a mother and child symbolize the future. The torch is said to symbolize ideals and knowledge passed from one generation to the next.
Visiting the South Shore Parkway – Practical Information
- 📍499 W. Eisenhower Boulevard, Loveland, CO
- 🔗South Shore Parkway
- Admission: FREE
- Parking available
- Hours: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Restrooms-no
Foote Lagoon and Public Art in Downtown Loveland
The Foote Lagoon sits within the Civic Center Park in downtown Loveland, near the Loveland Public Library and the Chilson Recreation Center. The Lagoon is part of an amphitheater with a stage on the water.
Foote Lagoon and Downtown Loveland Audio Art Tour
I found a great way to explore the sculpture near Foote Lagoon and the surrounding area: a free self-guided audio tour via the Otocast App. To take the tour, download the app, then search for Loveland, CO. One advantage is that it includes commentary by the actual artists. The app also includes helpful photos and directions to each location.
Drawbacks include slightly dated information, as certain sculptures were missing.
Additionally, as the tour notes, there is a lot of art around that isn’t mentioned on the tour. My suggestion is to use the tour route as a guide, but keep your eyes open and explore off-route if you see something that looks interesting.
Generally following the tour, I covered about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in about one hour and 15 minutes.
Creative Works to See Near Foote Lagoon
One of the most famous and enchanting bronze sculptures around the Foote Lagoon is called Departure (1986). Sculptor George Lundeen is a Loveland resident and has been involved in Loveland’s bronze sculpture art scene from its early days.
The sculpture depicts, life-size, an exhausted-looking young couple slumping against each other on a bench with a small suitcase under the man’s arm. The inspiration for this piece was a sketch that Lundeen made in a train station in Rome, Italy. It truly captures the less glamorous side of travel, but in the most beautiful way possible!
American Gold (Dan Ostermiller, 1988) at Foote Lagoon.
The Third Love Lock Sculpture in Downtown Loveland
The courtyard of the Inside the Loveland Museum, a new Downtown Loveland Visitors Center, opened in July of 2025. Around the same time, Loveland installed its third Love Lock sculpture in the museum courtyard. Forty red steel hearts are themselves arranged to create one large heart. Like the other love lock sculptures, a metal grid on the back makes it easy to place a love lock.
Visiting Downtown Loveland’s Outdoor Art – Practical Information
- 📍Foote Lagoon Amphitheater, 500 E 3rd St, Loveland, CO 80537
- 🔗Downtown Loveland Public Art Tour on the Otocast App
- Admission: FREE
- Parking:
- Downtown on-street parking is generally limited to two hours from 8 AM to 6 PM
- Most City-owned public lots allow up to three hours of parking.
- The Foundry Parking Garage (219 E. 2nd Street) is free and open to the public.
- Hours: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Restrooms-available at the Public Library, City Hall, and seasonally at The Foundry Plaza
Bonus Stops-Where to Find Other Outdoor Art in Loveland
Loveland Public Art has a map of public artwork locations throughout the city. Although much of it is concentrated in the parks described above, you’re never far from a park, bridge, intersection, or building complemented by a sculpture, mural, or other art form in Loveland. So, if you’re willing to do a little bit of driving, you’ll be able to see even more and different creative works. Here are a few pieces that caught my eye on the drive.
Practical Tips for Enjoying Public Art in Loveland
For your Loveland art walks, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and sun protection. Check the weather forecast and make sure you’re comfortable with the predicted temperatures for your planned visiting times. In any case, it’s always good to have an extra layer available, as Colorado weather can be unpredictable. And of course, bring a camera or phone for pictures.
Planning Your Itinerary
Loveland has so much public art that it may be difficult to see it all on a short visit. With proper planning, I found I could easily do two to three of the stops described here in a day, with plenty of time to rest, recharge, and eat.
I created this map with the public art stops described here marked to assist your planning.
Where to Stay in Loveland for Your Art Walks
Loveland has a handful of hotels sprinkled throughout the city, but most are clustered on the east side, close to Interstate 25 and the towns of Johnstown and Windsor.
These areas also have lots of places to eat, with many familiar chains.
For my Loveland art walk trip, I stayed at the Comfort Suites Loveland. From there, it’s approximately 6 minutes by car to Chapungu Sculpture Park and 20 minutes to the Benson Sculpture Garden.
I stayed in a spacious, comfortable, and quiet double-queen suite. The separate seating area gave me plenty of room to relax after a day of walking the sculpture parks. A cubby with a microwave, pod-style coffee maker and mini-fridge took care of all my snacking needs. Finally, the large, modern bathroom featured a roomy shower, and the bed was seriously comfortable when I settled in for the night.
Comfort Suites Loveland also has an outdoor hot tub area, an indoor pool with a waterslide, and a small fitness room.
A hot breakfast was included with the stay, with the usual cereals, breads, and waffle machine. I was especially pleased to find scrambled eggs and sausage available for my morning protein.
Video Walkthrough – Double Queen Suite at the Comfort Suites Loveland
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Pin It for Later: Easy Public Art Walks in Loveland
I created these pins of the walkable public art stops in Loveland for your Pinterest Boards.
Wrapping Up Public Art Walks in Loveland
What I particularly enjoyed about exploring Loveland this way is that you don’t have to visit a museum or gallery to appreciate the city’s art. You can simply don your walking shoes and start exploring. With no admission fees, you can tailor your walks to your schedule and preferences without worrying if it will be “worth it.” Each walk offers a different setting and perspective, yet together they show why Loveland has earned its reputation as a major center for public art, particularly sculpture. If you’re visiting Northern Colorado, set aside a full day, or at least a few hours, to experience Loveland’s outdoor art on foot. You may be surprised by the amount and quality of the art you encounter in the city’s open spaces.
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