January 11, 2007

Soaking up the Sun at Aloha Beach

By Stan Dyer

If you know me, then you know I have a penchant for nostalgia. Recently, while reminiscing with a friend, the subject of Aloha Beach came up. Most people who grew up in north Denver will remember Aloha Beach, but, for those not from the area or who do not remember, in its day, Aloha Beach was about the coolest way to spend an afternoon of summer vacation for any youth living in the northwest Denver area.

Someone got the idea to take a suburban lake, dump a few loads of sand on the shore and make a beach for swimming, tanning, and games. They added a building with a small patio, a buoy for a lifeguard, and opened a summer fun alternative to the local swimming pool. It cost more than the public pool, but was still cheaper than driving to California for a beach and was one great place not only to enjoy an afternoon, but also to meet new girlfriends as well.

I do not remember the exact address, but I know it was on north Federal around 60 th Avenue on the west side of the road and not too far from the "Scotchman" and "Rocky Mountain Fireworks". Back beyond the gates, and beyond the small "toll booth" where all cars stopped to pay admission, were three, small lakes. One of the lakes was Aloha Beach and had the northeast corner roped off for swimming. Kids and adults could lay their towels down in the sand, soak up the sun, go swimming, or go next door to rent a boat.

A portion of the lake was reserved just for boating. I never had money for such things, so I do not know how much they cost, but I remember there were rowboats and paddle boats to rent by the hour. There was no swimming in that part of the lake due to the growth of underwater plants. I even remember hearing rumors of a "Seaweed Monster", (like the Creature from the Black Lagoon), who lived in the lake. Rumors of the Monster started after some people ignored the "No Swimming" rules for the boating portion of the lake, jumped in and felt things "grabbing at their feet". Scuba lessons given near that location from time to time could neither confirm nor deny the existence of the Seaweed Monster, but the legend lived on.

One of the more curious aspects of Aloha Beach was the "Aqua Ski" that never caught on. Beach management had the idea to attract local area water skiers by using the second lake adjacent to Aloha Beach for skiers. They created and built a mechanical towline consisting of large, metal towers evenly position around the shores of the lake. The towers were linked by a thick cable that held some type of device to which a long tether was attached. At some place along the shore or in the water, skiers took hold of the tether while the device towed them in circles around the lake and eliminated the need for a boat and a driver. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but I do not remember Aqua Ski enjoying much success. Whether it was a lack of funds, an inability to create a fun, safe ride, or any of a number of rumored causes, Aqua Ski pretty much sat there idle, and the idea fizzled.

Another attraction near Aloha Beach was the third lake where the "Aqua Golf" was located. Any golfer feeling the need to practice hitting balls into the water could buy a bucket of balls at Aqua Golf and tee off into the drink to his heart's content. Golf was just catching on big back then, and I remember driving by plenty of times when all available spaces were taken. Of the three ideas, Aqua Golf seemed to have the most potential to be the one idea that remained, but, for whatever reasons, all three faded into history.

I tried to find some history of Aloha Beach or other information on-line, but found nothing. I did find a real estate subdivision in the area with the same name and deduced that some enterprising entrepreneur turned the fortunes of Aloha Beach around by building homes and creating "beachfront" property with skiing. As with most things, the years caught up to Aloha Beach, changed its face, and left us all with the memories. For me, I like thinking about the days on the beach when no one worried about sunglasses, SPF 30, or mutant amoeba living in suburban lakes, but I do still wonder about that Seaweed Monster.