Land swap gives Denver Park Hill Golf Course and new park
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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston speaks at a lectern at the Park Hill Golf Course on Wednesday. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez/Axios
Denver will acquire the former Park Hill Golf Course in an unprecedented land swap deal that will give the city its fourth largest park, Mayor Mike Johnston said Wednesday.
Why it matters: The move all but settles a longstanding fight between those who wanted development on the site and those wishing to keep it as open space.
State of play: It's a political triumph for Johnston, who vowed to turn the course into a park during his mayoral campaign after initially backing a measure to allow its development.
Context: The acquisition will represent the largest piece of private property for a public park in the city's history, Johnston said.
- It's the largest addition to the city's park system since Washington Park in 1911, Denver Parks and Recreation executive director Jolon Clark said Wednesday.
How it works: The 155-acre site in northeast Denver owned by Westside Investment Partners will be swapped for 145 acres of city-owned land in Adams County near Denver International Airport, Johnston said.
- The deal will be completed without any direct cash payments to Westside Investment Partners.
The intrigue: The city transferred $12.7 million from its parks and recreation department to the airport for the deal.
- The Parks Legacy Fund, which generates money from sales tax, covered the transfer, Johnston said.
Between the lines: Since the city will own the land, and it has a conservation easement on the property stipulating it can only be used as a golf course, the city will be able to decide whether to use it as park space.
Flashback: Voters in April 2023 rejected a measure to remove the conservation easement.
- Since then, the property has remained vacant, with additional fencing raised around the park and signage warning against trespassing.
What they're saying: "We must be intentional about how we develop this space and ensure that this park ... does not contribute to the displacement of those who have called this place home for generations," Councilmember Shontel Lewis said Wednesday.
- Officials said community feedback will be critical in developing the park.
What's next: The Denver City Council must approve the deal.
- Clark said his agency aims to open the park to the public by summer, while public feedback will be gathered to determine the park's name and its amenities.