Denver Taps Designers for Park Hill Park Project

The city has selected a landscape architecture firm to lead the development of the 155-acre public park.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in National Parks

Gouache-painted illustration of a rolled landscape site plan resting on grass, overlooking a rolling mountain landscape in Denver. — Denver officials have selected landscape architects to transform the former Park Hill golf course into a permanent 155-acre public park. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Denver officials have appointed Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates to design the 155-acre Park Hill Park. The project aims to permanently secure the former golf course site for public use following years of development disputes.

Why it matters

The initiative ensures the long-term protection of the site for community access, preventing future commercial development on the land. This follows a clear mandate from residents who previously rejected a private development measure for the area.

The park project carries an estimated total budget of $100 million, supported by $70 million from the voter-approved Vibrant Denver Bond program. The site spans 155 acres, while the city completed a 145-acre land exchange in Adams County to facilitate the deal.

The players

Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

This landscape architecture firm was selected through a competitive process to design the new public park.

Westside Investment Partners

This company engaged in a land exchange deal with the city to facilitate the transfer of the 155-acre property.

The details

The city acquired the property through a land swap with Westside Investment Partners that also utilized $12.7 million from the Denver Parks Legacy Fund. The development process now shifts to the planning phase, with designers slated to work on the park through 2027.

The Park Hill Golf Course operated at the site from the 1930s until its closure in 2018.
Denver voters rejected a development measure for the land by a 58.8% to 42.2% margin in 2023.
The City Council approved the land swap and bond allocation in 2025.
Design work is scheduled to continue through 2027.
Construction is expected to begin in June 2028 with a project opening date set for 2029.

Travel Outlook

This development marks a significant shift in urban land use as the city prioritizes public greenspace over potential commercial expansion. It follows the precedent set by the Vibrant Denver Bond program, which provides the financial framework for major municipal park projects.

Residents can anticipate a multi-year design phase that will dictate future public access to the 155-acre area. The project secures this large parcel of land for recreational use, providing a major new community asset for the city by 2029.

The takeaway

The successful acquisition of this site demonstrates the influence of local voter sentiment on urban planning and land use. Residents should look for upcoming public planning forums as the design team begins its work through 2027.