Denver Announces Action Plan Process for Park Hill Community

DENVER – The City and County of Denver is kicking off an action plan process with the community surrounding the new Park Hill Park to focus on identifying short-term specific projects, programs and opportunities that strongly relate to the development of the park site. This plan, led by the Community Planning and Development Department (CPD), will focus on actions to address affordable housing, mitigating involuntary displacement, small business support, safe access to the park, healthy food access, tree canopy expansion and more. This plan is grounded in the goals set in 2022 during extensive community outreach for the previous Park Hill Golf Course Small Area Plan.  

Earlier this year, Denver acquired the former Park Hill Golf Course with the intention to transform it into a modern urban park, reflecting the wishes of the city’s voters. At 155 acres, Park Hill Park 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. 

As Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) partners with the community on the vision for the park, a concurrent effort will occur to talk about the vision for the future of the neighborhoods around the park. DPR will host a Park Visioning Open House on Saturday, June 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the City of Axum Park, 3200 N. Birch St. Attendees can hear from CPD representatives, who will provide more details on the Park Hill Action Plan. Several outreach events will also occur this summer to gain community input.  

“This is more than building a park, it’s about building a future with the community, for the community,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “The Park Hill Action Plan is our opportunity to make sure neighbors have a real voice in shaping what comes next - from affordable housing to small business support and safer streets. We’re committed to making this space a place where every Denverite can thrive.” 

CPD and the Mayor’s Office are leading the process with Council members Shontel M. Lewis (District 8) and Darrell Watson (District 9). 

 “Let me be clear, for this project we are starting at zero. We intentionally have not committed to anything because we want to ensure that every step in this process is prioritizing the needs of our Park Hill neighbors. A project of this scale is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build something truly transformative, and when the community gets to lead, it becomes more than a park; it becomes a symbol of equity, resilience, and shared vision,” said Council member Shontel M. Lewis. “My office is deeply committed to uplifting community voices throughout this process, making sure the people who have built and sustained this area for generations are not pushed out of it. We must honor and protect the rich culture and history of the Park Hill neighborhood and ensure they receive not just the park they deserve, but the long-term investments and protections they need to truly thrive.” 

"The future of Park Hill Park and its surrounding neighborhoods must be shaped hand-in-hand with the community," said Council member Darrell Watson. "This process is about bringing neighbors together to build a shared vision grounded in collaboration, creativity, and community voices."   

This effort will occur in two phases: 

• Phase 1: Park Hill Action Plan
  The action plan (surfaced from the small area plan) will focus on identifying specific projects, programs and opportunities that strongly relate to the development of the park site and would benefit from short-term action. These goals include:
  • Safe access to the park
  • Affordable housing
  • Mitigating involuntary displacement
  • Healthy food access
  • Expanding the tree canopy
  • Supporting small businesses 
• Phase 2: Near Northeast Area Plan
  The next phase of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative (NPI) will kick off in 2026 and include the Near Northeast Area. NPI plans focus on long-term vision and goals for each neighborhood. For more information on the Neighborhood Planning Initiative, please visit DenverGov.org/neighborhoodplanning.  

For more information and to sign up for project updates, please visit denvergov.org/ParkHillActionPlan.