Denver is finally opening the former Park Hill Golf Course to the public—but not without sparking some debate along the way. Starting October 28, the 155-acre site will be accessible as a limited-use park, following Denver’s official acquisition of the land earlier this month. This milestone marks a significant step in transforming one of the city’s last large undeveloped plots into public green space, but the journey here has been anything but straightforward.
Back in January, Mayor Mike Johnston announced the city's plan to acquire the former golf course after striking a land swap deal with Westside Investment Partners, the property's owner. The city exchanged a parcel near Denver International Airport to secure this prime land. Johnston emphasized the vision behind this move, inviting Denver residents to see the park not just as it is now, but as what it could become. "The community’s voices have been loud and clear about the importance of this land—not only to Northeast Denver but to the entire city," he said. He also highlighted that the city’s work is far from over, aiming to shape the park to match the needs and hopes of a neighborhood that has long advocated for public access.
Originally, city officials hoped to open the park by summer. However, the complex nature of the land swap and planning efforts extended the timeline. Now, the park will open with limited facilities; substantial renovations like lighting and other improvements are still pending. Visitors can enjoy daylight hours with options focused on passive activities such as walking and jogging, but no active sports or events are planned in this initial phase.
Much of the future development depends on voter approval of a $70 million modernization fund included in the upcoming Vibrant Denver bond package, set to be decided in November. Denver Parks and Recreation is currently evaluating which amenities to develop, balancing community desires with strategic planning. But here's where it gets controversial: some residents had hoped to see this space partially developed with new housing to address city growth and affordability issues, while others have fought fiercely to preserve it as untouched open space. This tension has defined the land's recent history.
To provide some background, Westside Investment Partners purchased the property in 2019 for $24 million, intending to build a mix of housing and parkland. That plan faced strong opposition and was decisively rejected by voters in 2023, leaving the golf course closed to the public since then. With the city now taking over, this former private golf course is poised to become Denver's fourth-largest park—a major addition to urban green space.
What do you think? Should the city prioritize keeping the entire area as public parkland, or has the time come to reconsider some housing development to tackle other pressing urban challenges? This debate is just getting started, and your voice matters. Join the conversation and share your perspective on the future of this pivotal Denver space.
