The lake itself was created by accident in the 1860s when homesteader Thomas Sloan struck an underground aquifer while digging an irrigation well : his flooded farmland became Denver's largest lake. The 2.6-mile paved loop trail encircles the entire lake and is flat and accessible to all ages and abilities. The east shore is the primary sunset viewpoint; the north shore offers the best unobstructed skyline view looking southeast toward downtown. Wildlife around the lake includes white pelicans, great blue herons, osprey, Canada geese, foxes, and coyotes. In July, the park hosts the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival: one of the largest Asian heritage celebrations in the region.