Chapungu Sculpture Park in Colorado Is a Hidden Art Gem

On the edge of Loveland, Colorado—a small city with an outsized art scene about an hour north of Denver—a quiet park unfolds along the Greeley-Loveland Canal. Walking paths wind through 26 acres of gardens where birds flash through the trees, and the air carries the scent of summer wildflowers. Among it all stand 82 hand-carved stone sculptures by Zimbabwean artists—an open-air exhibition of artistry, rich with symbols of community and ancestral roots.

This is Chapungu Sculpture Park, the largest outdoor art center in the United States devoted to Zimbabwean stone sculpture. Its name, Chapungu (pronounced Cha-POON-goo), refers to the “Great Spirit Bird” or “Eagle of Zimbabwe,” the national emblem of the country, which is also frequently depicted as a protector and messenger.

Many of the stone pieces at the park were created by sculptors who are continuing an artistic tradition that dates back to the mid-20th century and draws on centuries of spiritual and storytelling practices. The works are often abstract or semimetaphorical, depicting themes like motherhood, familial harmony, and the relationship between people and nature. No two pieces are alike, and each reflects the individual hand of its creator—artists who worked on-site in Zimbabwe before the collection made its way to Colorado.

Chapungu is free and open to the public and has been since the park’s founding in 2007. In addition to the stone sculptures, the property is also an outdoor oasis in the middle of the city. Wheelchair-friendly walking trails wind through gardens of native plants and pollinator-friendly flora.

In the summer, the chatter of bird song is often joined by live music. The Sounds of Centerra music series kicked off on the Great Lawn on Saturday, July 5, and will continue on the following Fridays in July. The event is free, and snacks and drinks are available for purchase.

Chapungu Sculpture Park is located just east of the Promenade Shops at Centerra, a Loveland neighborhood. The park is open daily, year-round from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The entire Chapungu walking park is wheelchair accessible. 

Chapungu Sculpture Park is one of the many examples of public art in Loveland, a city that is considered one of the state’s top art towns. In addition to the 82 sculptures of Chapungu, Loveland has more than 400 other public works of art, nearly 200 restaurants, and 35 parks.