Park Hill Golf Course Land Swap and Park Plan

• Land Swap Agreement: The city plans to acquire the 155-acre Park Hill Golf Course from Westside Investment Partners through a land swap. In exchange, Westside would receive a similarly valued parcel near Denver International Airport. Both properties are appraised at approximately $12.7 million.
• Rezoning Approval: City Council committees have given preliminary approval to rezone the golf course land for park use. A full council vote is anticipated by June.
• Due Diligence Period: Even after council approval, a 90-day due diligence period is required, during which either party can withdraw if issues arise. The city would not officially own the land until at least September.
• Conservation Easement: The land is currently protected by a conservation easement mandating its use as a golf course. Once the city acquires the property, the easement would be dissolved under state law, allowing for park development.

The City of Denver is moving forward with a landmark plan to transform the former Park Hill Golf Course into a large public park through a land swap agreement with Westside Investment Partners. This decision follows years of legal and political battles over the site’s future, with strong public support favoring the preservation of open space. Under the proposed agreement, the city would trade a similarly valued parcel near Denver International Airport to gain control of the 155-acre property, paving the way for rezoning, park planning, and eventual development. While the initiative represents a major investment in green infrastructure and community recreation, city officials are also weighing concerns about potential gentrification and displacement in surrounding neighborhoods.

Park Development and Community Engagement

The city aims to open the space for limited public use by summer, installing low-cost amenities like trails and picnic tables. This would require a lease agreement with Westside, with no financial exchange, and securing appropriate insurance. This would at the very least provide some community benefit and use to the long closed-off areas. Neighbors and local residents of the area have long been barred from the park as it lay in a sort of limbo while navigating its future use.

Community Considerations

• Public Support: Preserving the land as open space has garnered widespread public backing. The conservation easement, established in the 1990s, was upheld by voters in multiple elections, preventing previous development plans.
• Green Gentrification Concerns: Council President Amanda Sandoval expressed concerns about potential green gentrification, where new parks can lead to increased property values and displacement in historically marginalized neighborhoods. She emphasized the need to work with District 8 Councilmember Shontel Lewis to mitigate such effects.
• Historical Context: The Park Hill Golf Course has been a focal point of community debates for years. In 2019, Westside purchased the property for $24 million, intending to develop it. However, community opposition and legal challenges, centered around the conservation easement, led to the project’s rejection by voters in 2023.

This development is of particular interest to neighboring residents because it directly affects the future of a large, historically contested piece of land in their community. The transformation of the former Park Hill Golf Course into a public park offers the promise of expanded green space, recreational opportunities, and environmental benefits in an area that has long advocated for the preservation of open land. For families and individuals living nearby, this means increased access to trails, play areas, and gathering spaces that enhance quality of life.

At the same time, residents are watching closely to ensure that the park’s creation does not lead to unintended consequences such as green gentrification—a phenomenon where new amenities drive up property values and potentially displace long-time community members. As a result, many locals are engaged in the ongoing planning and public input process, aiming to shape a park that reflects their needs and protects the character of the neighborhood. The project is more than a land swap; it is a critical moment in determining how growth, equity, and community priorities are balanced in one of Denver’s most dynamic areas.

Building for the future

Sustainable Design Build has been keeping a close eye on updates and progress for this Park Hill Development. Many of SDB’s home additions and custom home projects that have started are located in the surrounding area. While this development is unlikely to affect ongoing projects, SDB sees the inspiration homeowners get from large-scale community developments going up in their backyard. Some residents follow suit and look into building up their home as new improvements of the neighborhood are a good opportunity to build up their own homes.