Politics
Denver Approves Design and Protection of Former Park Hill Golf Course as Public Park
Denver has approved plans to convert the former Park Hill Golf Course into a large public park, appointing Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates to design the 155‑acre space and taking steps to protect the land from future development. The decision follows a 2023 vote in which residents rejected a development proposal 58.8% to 42.2%. The city completed a land swap with Westside Investment Partners in 2025, exchanging 145 acres of city land near Denver International Airport and receiving about $12.7 million from the Denver Parks Legacy Fund. A $70 million portion of the city’s $950 million Vibrant Denver Bond program was approved in 2025 to fund the project, which has an estimated budget of $100 million. Design work is expected to continue through 2027, with construction slated to begin in June 2028 and a possible opening in 2029. The park will feature athletic fields, sports courts, playgrounds, trails, water features, natural areas, a field house, and stormwater detention ponds, with a focus on native, drought‑tolerant plants. Denver plans to formally designate the site as parkland, requiring voter approval for any future sale or disposal, thereby ensuring long‑term protection for the property. The park is already managed by Denver Parks & Recreation and has begun welcoming visitors as the project moves toward detailed design and construction.