Denver officials moved forward on the long‑awaited transformation of the former Park Hill Golf Course into a regional park. Mayor Mike Johnston told reporters on Tuesday that the city aims to complete construction of the 155‑acre Park Hill Park by 2029.
Official park designation in progress
The Denver City Council is working to reclassify the Northeast Park Hill parcel from “open space” to an official park. The change would lock in the land’s recreational use for future generations and protect it from development pressures.
Renowned landscape firm selected
City leaders selected Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the firm behind the Obama Presidential Center landscaping, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Maggie Daley Park in Chicago, the Gathering Place in Tulsa, and Allegheny Riverfront Park in Pittsburgh. Johnston said the competition was “stiff,” noting that applicants included architects who had designed the Sydney Olympic grounds and the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. While those firms submitted impressive proposals, the council felt they lacked the deep neighborhood connection needed for this project.
Van Valkenburgh’s principal will devote 20 % of his time to the Park Hill design—a commitment Johnston praised as “unusually hands‑on for a principal architect.” The firm maintains offices on both coasts and in Denver, giving it a local presence as well as national experience.
Addressing water stewardship
Denver’s arid climate shaped the design conversation. Van Valkenburgh expressed enthusiasm for creating a “dry landscape” that conserves water rather than relying on scarce resources. Parks and Recreation Director Jolon Clark echoed that goal, noting the department is Denver Water’s top customer and is already on track to cut water use by 20 % citywide. Clark highlighted ongoing efforts to convert 80 acres of parkland to resilient landscaping and to explore recycled‑water irrigation, as already done at City Park and Wash Park.
Community concerns and mitigation plans
Councilmember Shontel Lewis, a mayoral challenger who represents the neighborhood, praised the community’s long‑standing advocacy for a park while warning that rising housing costs remain a real threat. She urged that the new park serve longtime residents as well as newcomers.
Johnston acknowledged the risk of gentrification and said the city will counter it by investing in additional affordable housing around the park. The current plan does not include any new housing or commercial development on the park site itself, a departure from an earlier proposal that voters rejected.
Next steps
The council will vote on the official park designation and on funding allocations for the design and construction phases. If approved, Van Valkenburgh Associates will begin detailed planning, with an emphasis on water‑wise planting, smart irrigation sensors, and the possible use of recycled water.
Both city leaders and community advocates see the park as more than a green space—it is a statement of Denver’s commitment to responsible growth, environmental stewardship, and preserving the character of historic neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.
