DENVER (KDVR) — A long-empty property has been acquired by the city and county of Denver and community members will have the opportunity to enjoy the space in just a few weeks.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, along with Denver Parks and Recreation, announced in a joint press release on Thursday that it will publicly open Park Hill Park, just east of downtown Denver, on Oct. 28.
The property, up until the announcement, has been a closed-down golf course. In January 2023, members of the Denver City Council voted to move forward with a redevelopment plan for the Park Hill Golf Course. The “yes” votes by the city council put the measure before city voters during the 2023 Denver municipal elections. However, Denver voters ultimately rejected the plan to develop the area.
Now in 2025, the city has finalized an agreement with Westside Investment Partners to acquire the area, according to the joint press release.
“This park officially belongs to the people of Denver, and we look forward to bringing the community’s vision to life as we continue to develop the future of this space,” said Denver Parks and Recreation Executive Director Jolon Clark in the press release.
According to the press release, Park Hill will be an open space initially and public access will be limited to “daylight hours” at first due to a lack of lighting, along with renovations. However, parkgoers can walk, jog or even just enjoy what the area’s nature has to offer.
“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,” said Johnston.
The park will become Denver’s fourth-largest park and will be the city’s largest acquisition of private land conversion into a public park in over 100 years, the press release said.
The city and the Parks and Recreation department have launched a third survey for feedback on amenities, features and priorities of the future designs of the park for community members to take, which will close on Oct. 23.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
