In late October, Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR), alongside Mayor Mike Johnston, Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis, and
Councilman Darrell Watson, celebrated the initial opening of Park Hill Park. Thanks to a historic land exchange, the city now owns this site, which is open to the public for passive recreation from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Visitors can enjoy existing trails, natural scenery, and wildlife viewing, though amenities are minimal at this stage.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
“Today has been years in the making, and we are here only because of the tireless efforts of community advocates and city
employees who want to see this land transformed into Denver’s next great park,” said Mayor Mike Johnston.
This opening marks the first step in a long-term process; the full vision and framework for the park are still in development, guiding future design and features. DPR will continue to engage the community in shaping the park’s fu
ture, ensuring it reflects the needs and values of the community. In the meantime, the site will continue to be maintained by DPR and managed as open space.
“Voters made it clear; they want to keep green space in the Park Hill neighborhood.” says Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis. “As we move forward with designing and building this regional park, my goal is to ensure the final design is driven by the surrounding community.”
The land on which Park Hill resides can be traced back to the tribal lands of the Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho), Nuuchu (Ute), and Tsistsistas (Cheyenne) and carries a historical significance within the Black community and the fight for social justice.
“This is only the beginning,” said DPR Executive Director Jolon Clark. “This park will be a living representation of our city’s love of the outdoors. We will keep involving residents through the design process to turn this beautiful natural space into a lasting community asset.”