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  • Passage of Vibrant Denver bond allocates $70 million to Park Hill Park transformation

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    DENVER — Voters on Tuesday passed the Vibrant Denver bond package, meaning several infrastructure projects are now greenlit, including the $70 million transformation of Park Hill Park.

    Park Hill Park is Denver’s fourth-largest park and opened to the public eight days ago, but it is bare bones. Paths have quickly become popular for dog walkers and runners.

    Click here to see Denver7’s detailed timeline about the Park Hill Golf Course.

    Neighbors Chase Wagner and Ellie Cavanaugh enjoy walking their dog, Melo, along the paths.

    “Some of the sidewalks around here are a little narrower, so being able to come up here and run the golf course is super nice,” Wagner said.

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    Pictured: Ellie Cavanaugh, Chase Wagner and their dog, Melo.

    At last week’s ribbon-cutting, city leaders warned that the park would remain in its current bare-bones state without voter approval of the bond.

    “This space is opening as a park today, but it will not be a full park if you don’t show up on Tuesday,” said Denver City Councilman Darrell Watson at the ribbon cutting. “Y’all heard me, it will not be a full park if you do not show up on Tuesday. Your vote is needed to ensure that the investments in this space deliver for you and your family.”

    In an interview with Denver7 on Wednesday, Watson expressed relief at the bond’s passage. When asked about a backup plan if Vibrant Denver hadn’t passed, Watson said the alternative would have been challenging.

    “Well, the Plan B was to try again,” Watson said. “So, within the powers of the city, we would have to find other options to fund it. It would have been very difficult.”

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    Pictured: Darrell Watson, Denver City Council District 9

    The $70 million earmarked for the park is expected to pay for the first phase of construction.

    “I think with that $70 million, they’re definitely going to have it cleaned up,” Wagner said.

    While the funding is secured, some Northeast Park Hill neighbors like Deronn Turner are taking a wait-and-see approach.

    “I’m cautiously optimistic,” Turner said. “And I’m cautiously optimistic because we have to have follow-through.”

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    Pictured: Deronn Turner, lives in Northeast Park Hill

    Turner hopes the park will become the crown jewel of her neighborhood, but emphasized the importance of the city following through on its plans.

    “I think this is an opportunity for the community, but specifically folks of color to say, you know, we’ve asked you for what we want, now we need you all to follow through with it,” Turner said.

    Preliminary plans from the design firm Sasaki include sports fields, a dog park and a field house.

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    Pictured: Design renderings posted outside the entrance to Park Hill Park

    However, nothing is set in stone. Watson said the neighborhood planning process is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

    “My hopes and dreams for this is similar to the hopes and dreams of the folks that voted,” Watson said. “They want to be able to have open space that their families can enjoy and build great memories right in Park Hill.”

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    Claire Lavezzorio

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  • Denver’s Park Hill Park will officially open to the public late this month

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    DENVER — The former Park Hill Golf Course, which was acquired by the City of Denver, will officially open to the public as Park Hill Park at the end of October.

    Because it is still undergoing renovations, the public is welcome to visit the new park only during daylight hours and only for “limited, passive use” like walking, jogging and enjoying nature, the City of Denver announced on Thursday morning. Fencing will stay up in certain areas, but the city said the park will become more accessible as crews address maintenance needs and install lighting.

    The formal opening date is Oct. 28. Details about the opening celebration will be released closer to the end of the month.

    The city announced in January that it would acquire the former 155-acre Park Hill Golf Course and turn it into the city’s fourth-largest urban public park. The city finalized that agreement this month.

    That acquisition was the result of a land exchange agreement with Adams County and Westside Investment Partners, which owned the Park Hill property near Colorado Boulevard and E. 35th Avenue in northeast Denver. Denver traded 145 acres of city-owned, undeveloped, industrial land in Adams County for the Park Hill land.

    Watch Denver7’s breaking news report below when the city announced it would acquire the Park Hill Golf Course.

    Denver will acquire former Park Hill Golf Course and turn it into a park

    After January’s announcement, the city launched a process to hear from the community about what they wanted the park to look like.

    “We welcome Denver to see this park not for what it is today but what it can be,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “For years we have heard from the community about not only what this land means to Northeast Denver, but the value it brings to our entire city. Our work will continue until the park, and every improvement that comes with it, reflects the wishes and needs of a neighborhood that has fought tirelessly for this day to come.”

    A third survey about the future of the park, which is available here, will close on Oct. 23.

    Click on the link below or here to see Denver7’s detailed timeline about the Park Hill Golf Course.

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    Park Hill Golf Course: Timeline of its history as the community looks to future

    “The city is also simultaneously engaging with the community on priorities for the surrounding area, such as affordable housing, access to fresh food, and support for small businesses,” the city said in Thursday’s press release.

    The city added that the land of the former golf course can be traced back to tribal lands of the Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho), Nuuchu (Ute), and Tsistsistas (Cheyenne), and carries a historical significance for Black residents in the area.

    “The conversion of the course is inseparable from its urban legacy, and planning the return of this green space to the Park Hill community will center on building an equitable and resilient resource that is shared by all,” the press release reads.

    To keep up with the latest on this park, sign up for emails from the city here.

    Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Stephanie Butzer

    Denver7’s Stephanie Butzer works on the digital team covering stories that have an impact on all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in reporting on the environment and outdoor recreation. If you’d like to get in touch with Stephanie, fill out the form below to send her an email.

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  • What should the new Park Hill look like? Residents have ideas.

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    DENVER — After years of debate over the land’s future, Denver’s Park Hill Golf Course is finally on its way to becoming a park.

    On Saturday morning, hundreds of neighbors weighed in on what their park and the surrounding area should look like during the Park Hill Open House.

    “Today is a really exciting day as we work towards what the old Park Hill Golf Course, Park Hill Park, is going to look like and feel like,” said Jolon Clark, Executive Director of Denver Parks and Recreation.

    “I’m so glad that we were able to preserve it, and now we can turn it into something amazing,” said Park Hill resident Jennifer Glitsos.

    The City of Denver acquired the 155-acre property earlier this year, following a years-long debate over development.

    In 2023, voters rejected a plan to allow housing and commercial development on the site. Then, earlier this year, the city acquired the land from Westside Investment Partners, marking Denver’s largest single purchase of private land for public use.

    In the months since the land acquisition, the community has had several chances to weigh in on ideas.

    Denver Parks and Recreation, along with the city’s Community Planning and Development team, is now presenting the draft framework so neighbors can continue to share their feedback.

    Some ideas on the table? Adventure parks, shuffleboard courts, zip lines – you name it.

    The last time Denver opened a park of this size was 1911, so city leaders say they want to do this right.

    “People are hearing each other – isn’t that the definition of community?” said Park Hill business owner Dawn Fay.

    Denver7 was there at the Park Hill Open House on Saturday morning, where we had the opportunity to hear some of your ideas.

    “Kids are my heart, so anything that’s used for youth and progresses their development is number one to me,” said Herman White, a longtime member of the Park Hill Pirates Youth Football Organization.

    “I have a little one who’s two years old, and so it’d be great to have a place to walk around and just enjoy [the space],” said Glitsos.

    The ideas go beyond the 155-acre park site.

    “I think there was so much debate around this property and what it should be, and there were so many members of the community who did want to see affordable housing and access to food,” said Clark, “we don’t want to just leave behind the rest of the community that still said there are other needs that need to be met, and just because we can’t deliver them here doesn’t mean we can’t find a way to deliver those things for the community.”

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    Park Hill Golf Course: Timeline of its history as the community looks to future

    When city leaders announced the land acquisition in January, councilmembers stressed the importance of keeping the area surrounding the park affordable and welcoming to all.

    “We must be intentional about how we develop this space and ensure that this park, while a beacon of progress, does not contribute to the displacement of those who have called this place home for generations,” said Councilwoman Shontel Lewis. “The transformation of this land should lift existing residents, not push them out.”

    Denver7 heard some of your concerns and needs on Saturday.

    “There’s a lot of gentrification happening in this community, but the essence of this community, and what makes everyone proud about this community, is the diversity and the opportunities of inclusiveness,” said White.

    “If there’s any way to have access to healthy food, I think that would be really important for the neighborhood,” said Fay.

    While that transformation won’t happen on the park site itself, city leaders say they’re looking at ways to incorporate those on surrounding streets.

    “I think we need to have opportunities for entrepreneurship. We need to have a lot more businesses,” said White, “all I really want to do is ensure that this space is equitable.”

    Oh, and remember Park Hill Dave?

    He’s the runaway dog that evaded capture on the old Park Hill Golf Course for months on end.

    He’s since found a new home with Clark.

    Fay told Denver7 she’d love to see Park Hill Dave on bark ranger duty at the new park someday.

    “I think that’d be the coolest thing,” she said.

    What should the new Park Hill look like? Residents have ideas.

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    Adria Iraheta

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