City Council Approves Part Two Of Legacy Funds; Six New Neighborhood Parks Are Planned In 2025-26
by Glen Richardson
Ramble & Rove: With two formal flower gardens, tree-lined paths, and endless expanses of grass the 155-acre Wash Park is one of the city’s most popular. People run, bike, paddle boat, walk, and play year around.
The initial voter approved 0.25% Park Legacy Fund sales tax — an extra 2.5 cents on each $10 purchase — expired at the end of 2024. Before year’s end, however, Denver City Council approved a new plan covering 2025 through 2029.
As was the case during the initial five years, acquisition of acreage to enlarge city’s parks remains a priority. Park maintenance and climate resiliency are also focuses. Restoring sporting fields and courts are a particular focus in the coming year. DPR added 13 indoor pickleball courts at seven rec centers in 2024, bringing the total to 66. Plans call for adding 50 outdoor courts by the end of 2025. Staff at Parks & Rec have also announced plans to establish a permanent graffiti-response and trash-collection team this year.
The Denver parks system — ranked 13th best in the U.S. by the Trust for Public Land — is one of the largest and most unique in the country. The trust gave the city its highest score (89 out of 100) for park Access. The Mile High City scored 75 for Investment, 69 on Equity, and 62 on Amenities. Its lowest score (51) is for Acreage, something neither the city or the Parks & Rec staff can do much about. With a total of more than 280 parks and 30 recreation centers, residents and families enjoy outdoor and indoor opportunities city wide, including hiking, fishing, golf, and picnicking. Today an enormous 93% of the public live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Denver spends $197 per resident each year on parks, far higher than the national average.
Legacy Fund Budget
People Popular: Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Cheesman Park draws large crowds to its 80-acre oasis with mountain vistas, green lawns, and stately trees. It’s also ideal for active recreation or quiet reflection.
Growing Green Space: This University Hills site at East Iliff Ave. and S. Bellaire is one of six new parks being built this year with Legacy Funds. The two-acre park will have a demonstration garden and event space.
About a quarter of the annual Parks & Rec budget — or in the neighborhood of $45 million yearly — comes from the Legacy Fund, according to Director Jolon Clark.
During the five-year period ending in December, the tax generated more than $267 million. Of that amount, $96 million has already been spent. Projects currently in the works have another $113 million tied up.
The daily operating cost for Denver’s City Parks — wages, supplies, and equipment — amounts to about $23.5 million a year. Another $15 is allocated to land acquisition each year. Parks & Rec also keeps an interest earning reserve fund for emergencies.
People In Parks
Under the 2018 voter approved Legacy Fund, almost 10,000 trees have been planted, plus 375 acres of turf grass converted to native landscape. Gordon Robertson, Planning, Design & Construction Director, estimates the conversion saved more than 225 million gallons of water. Moreover, he reveals, it has allowed the city to acquire more land. “With just legacy funds, we’ve obtained 25 acres of new park land.” As a result, 5,500 additional residents are within 10 minutes of a park, he adds.
City wide, DPR guesstimates that during Legacy Fund’s first five years 8,000 or more new people are now enjoying park facilities. During the first five years, Legacy greenbacks built 19 playgrounds, renovated 37 sports courts, and added 25 miles of park trails and walks.
Waterfront Park: Located at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, Confluence Park was developed in the 1980s. The 15.28-acre site has a playground, picnic shelter, benches, plus grassy expanses.
Peace In Parks: Parks provide peace and can have a positive effect on mental and physical health. Reconnect with nature to reduce stress, and anxiety at retreats such as Cheesman Park to get away from the urban hustle.
With the Legacy Fund restart, staff at city Park & Rec plan to expand the tree canopy in parks. Goals also include buying forestry equipment to speed up tree planting and maintenance work. Purchasing electric maintenance equipment and switching to LED lights are also on their latest list. Park access is open to the public year around. Furthermore, parks are open no matter the time of day, nor what week or month of the year. The Sonny Lawson and Al Alma-Lincoln Park spaces were closed for a month in 2024, however, due to drug sales and violent incidents. Portions of the parks were fenced off to curb the problem.
Six New Parks
As the new year gets underway, Denver Parks & Recreation is getting set to welcome six new parks in neighborhoods across the city. With Legacy Funds recently increasing about $5 million a year to $50 million annually, the city has earmarked funds to acquire the land and build parks.
In addition to developing new parks, Denver is also reinvesting in its existing parks. This includes renovating playgrounds and benches, plus upgrading irrigation systems to conserve water and improve park sustainability.
Spanning neighborhoods from Westwood to Green Valley Ranch, these new parks symbolize a commitment to ensuring every citizen has access to quality green spaces. Each park will be uniquely designed to cater to the needs and preferences of its local community, creating a diverse range of recreational environments across the Mile High City.
Plans For Parks
Water Basin Park: With Denver’s biggest lake, Sloan’s Lake Park’s 177 acres make it the city’s second-largest. It has playgrounds, tennis courts, athletic fields, boating, basketball, multi-use trails, and picnic areas.
The University Hills site at East Iliff Ave. and S. Bellaire was purchased back in 2019 for $5.1 million. Proposed to be named “Bethesda Park,” the former Greenhouse & Garden Center is roughly two-acres in size. Parks & Rec plans to spend $6.5 million in legacy funds to convert the property into a park. The long, skinny property will be transformed into a park with a demonstration garden and event space.
Anticipated to be named “Avion Park,” a nine-acre park prospect is located at Kittridge St. and E. Bolling Drive. It will include a playground, basketball courts, fields, plus a walking loop. Denver Urban Gardens is expected to manage a food forest on the site. Parks people say they are hopeful it will open this year.
Scheduled to open next year (2026), the large site at 10th Ave. & Alcott St. along the South Platte River will offer a community gathering space and gardens. Construction is expected to start this year. A new park at 47th Ave. & Telluride St. in Green Valley Ranch is also expected to open in 2026. It will have a playground, trails, a basketball court, plus a community garden with interactive water feature. Already open to the public, the Westwood Skate Park at W. Kentucky Ave. & S. Irving St. will incorporate new features. Over time the site will incorporate riverfront landscaping, and improved access to the South Platte River Trail. Denver Botanic Gardens will sponsor an off-leash dog park and gardens at the site.
