Denver Acquires Park Hill Golf Course in Historic Deal

Denver Acquires Park Hill Golf Course in Historic Deal

Published on January 15, 2025

In a historic deal negotiated by Mayor Mike Johnston, the City and County of Denver today announced it is acquiring the site of the former Park Hill Golf Course and that it intends to transform the space into a modern, urban park. Denver Parks & Recreation will oversee the park, which will open for the public by summer of this year.

The acquisition was achieved through a land exchange agreement involving a near acre-for-acre land exchange, in which Denver will trade 145 acres of city-owned, undeveloped, industrial property in Adams County for the 155-acre Park Hill property currently owned by Westside Investment Partners. The city extends its appreciation to Adams County and Westside for its ongoing collaboration in the exchange.

"We believe Park Hill can be a crown jewel of Denver," said Mayor Johnston. "This is an incredible opportunity to remake a space that has been neglected and unused for far too long. Together, we can make this the go-to destination for runners, readers, cyclists, picnickers, birdwatchers, and of course, children and families. This site will be all of Denver's to cherish for generations to come."

Located in Northeast Denver, Park Hill first served as an orphanage for white children before opening as a private golf course in the 1930s. With the exception of the occasional celebrity, and despite the surrounding area being largely made up of Black residents, Black guests were mostly barred from playing in the club until the 1970s. With the 1970s came increased and active participation by Black golfers, including Tiger Woods, and other patrons. The golf course closed in 2018 and has been fenced off to the public since.

The acquisition of the property follows years of advocacy by leaders like former Mayor Wellington Webb, Save Open Space Denver members including Woody Garnsey and Penfield Tate, and many other members who care deeply about the future of their community. Were it not for their work, and for Mayor Webb's foresight in preserving the site through the conservation easement, this property would not have the opportunity to return to the people as a space for all.

"This land means so much to so many people in Northeast Denver," said Penfield Tate. "For the first time, it will be a park designed for gathering, a place not of exclusion but of inclusion - an open and green space for all. This is what we have been fighting for for so many years.

At 155 acres, the Park Hill property will become one of Denver's largest urban parks and will mark the city's largest-ever, single acquisition of private property for an urban park. The site will be remade into a park that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and Denver will explore complementing open space with everything from walking trails to sports courts to exercise stations to shaded pavilions and performance stages through a robust community process.

"As Denver continues to grow, protecting open space and providing high quality park space for all of our residents is critical," said Denver Parks & Recreation Executive Director Jolon Clark. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a new regional park in the heart of the city, and we look forward to engaging with the community to shape what park amenities will be built on this remarkable parcel of land."

Though voters rejected a plan to develop the property with housing and other amenities, the cost of living remains a concern for many. As a result, the city will continue to push for the development of world-class affordable housing in areas near the Park Hill property while preserving the neighborhood's character.

"We are thrilled to see our city invest in this historic neighborhood, one of the few remaining Black communities in Denver. This acquisition is not just about improving physical spaces-it's about ensuring the health and wealth of our city," said Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis. "We must ensure a community-led design in the next iteration of this new park; to honor the voices, histories, and dreams of the residents who have lived here for generations. This is a powerful opportunity to demonstrate that true progress does not come from imposing an outside vision but valuing, centering and cocreating with community at the center of shaping its future."

The future of the park will unfold over three stages:

Immediate short-term use: Parks & Recreation will work to ensure a safe opening for summer 2025. This includes addressing immediate issues, such as broken walkways and overgrown trees and brush. During this stage, the site will be managed as open space. Fencing will remain, though entranceways will be created.

Interim use: While the long-term vision is developed, Parks & Recreation will build low-cost amenities that can be enjoyed on an interim basis, such as a dog park, picnic tables, walking trails, or disc golf course.

Long-term use: Mayor Johnston believes Denverites should have the loudest voice in shaping the future of Park Hill. As a result, the city intends to engage in an extensive community visioning process to decide a long-term vision for the space.

With the land exchange agreement in place, Mayor Johnston will now work with Adams County Commissioners and Denver City Council to formally approve the land exchange in order to transform the property into a modern and urban park.

Park Hill will be the city's fourth largest park, behind only City Park, Sloan's Lake, and, by ten acres, Washington Park.

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