Denver Hired Firm to Design Park Hill Park

The city selected Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates to develop the 155-acre space.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in National Parks

Bold vector editorial illustration of a rolling meadow and park landscape, representing the development of Denver's new community space. — Denver has hired Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates to convert the 155-acre former Park Hill golf course into a permanent public park. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Denver has officially hired landscape architecture firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates to design the 155-acre Park Hill Park. The site, which formerly operated as a golf course, is now being transformed into a permanent community space.

Why it matters

The project serves as a cornerstone of the city's effort to create lasting public gathering spaces. By designating the land as protected parkland, the city ensures that the property cannot be sold or disposed of without future voter approval.

Park Hill Park spans 155 acres, which the city acquired in 2025 by swapping 165 acres of land near Denver International Airport. Funding for the development is supported by a $70 million allocation from the 2025 Vibrant Denver Bond.

The players

Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

This is a landscape architecture firm renowned for projects like Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Obama Presidential Center.

Westside Investment Partners

This real estate firm previously owned the land that Denver acquired to establish the new park.

The details

The design firm, known for its work on the Obama Presidential Center and Brooklyn Bridge Park, will create the site based on a city-developed vision plan. Denver intends for the landscape to serve as a hub for community connection.

Denver acquired the Park Hill land from Westside Investment in 2025.
Park Hill Park opened to the public in October 2025.
Denver announced the firm's hiring on October 13, 2026.

Travel Outlook

The development of Park Hill Park follows a broader trend of repurposing retired golf courses into multi-use public recreational spaces. This aligns with a shift toward maximizing urban land utility as major cities face increasing demand for accessible green infrastructure.

Residents can expect future public input sessions as the firm begins work on the design framework. The designation of the land as protected parkland guarantees that this space remains available for public use permanently.

The takeaway

The transformation of the former golf course into a protected park ensures long-term recreational access for local residents. This move secures significant green space in the city that cannot be sold without direct voter participation.