Home / Environment / $70M Transformation of Denver's Park Hill Golf Course Hinges on Voter Approval
$70M Transformation of Denver's Park Hill Golf Course Hinges on Voter Approval
7 Aug
Summary
- $70M allocated to convert former golf course into major new park
- Acquisition of land still being finalized, plan for amenities not yet complete
- Voters to decide on $1B bond package that includes park project
In a move that could significantly reshape Denver's landscape, the city's $1 billion bond package set to go before voters in November includes a $70 million allocation to convert the former Park Hill Golf Course into a major new park. The acquisition of the 155-acre property is still being finalized, with the city working to complete a land swap with the current owner, Westside Investment Partners.
While the details of the park's amenities have yet to be fully determined, Denver Parks and Recreation is actively soliciting community input and developing a comprehensive plan for the site. Officials have acknowledged that the property will require significant infrastructure updates, including repairs to the irrigation system and the installation of lighting throughout the park.
The park project has been a source of ongoing tension in the city, with some residents pushing for partial development of the land and others advocating for its preservation as open green space. However, Denverites overwhelmingly rejected a plan to develop the site in 2023, leading to its closure and the city's decision to acquire the property.
If the $1 billion bond package is approved by voters, the $70 million allocation will finance the entire buildout of the new park, which Mayor Mike Johnston has described as a "fully functional, accessible" addition to Denver's expansive park system. While the initial timeline called for a summer 2023 opening, that milestone may now be pushed back to early fall due to the ongoing acquisition process and the need for extensive infrastructure work.
