A two-acre lot in Denver’s Windsor neighborhood will become a much-needed public park. The land acquisition, completed in partnership with Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) and the Denver Park Trust (DPT), closes a “10-minute walk/roll gap,” meaning thousands of nearby residents without a park within a half-mile of their homes will gain access to a public park. Increasing access to neighborhood parks is a shared goal of DPR and DPT to ensure equity in the distribution of parks and park resources for all residents, as outlined in the Game Plan for a Healthy City.
The future park will serve an estimated 1,700 households in Denver and benefit hundreds more in neighboring Aurora, just across Mississippi Street. The area is designated a Level 5—the highest priority rating for park investment needs under Denver Parks & Recreation’s Neighborhood Equity Index.
“The Denver Park Trust is grateful for the opportunity to support Denver Parks & Recreation to add a new, walkable park for the city in Denver’s Windsor neighborhood,” said Shannon Fender, Board Chair of the Denver Park Trust. “This future park will bring the many health, environmental, and social benefits of parks to thousands of residents in the area.”
“We’re thrilled that this long vacant space will become a Denver park,” said Michelle Palmquist, President of the Rangeview Neighborhood Association, the registered neighborhood organization for the area. “Rangeview residents have worked hard to ensure that the development of this property is compatible with our community of single-family homes. A park is something we can all come together and support. We look forward to working with the City of Denver and Denver Park Trust in the planning process.”
“I want to point out this resolution because it is so joyful,” said Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer, who represents the Windsor neighborhood. “This is one of the promises that we made the community and the voters who approved the Parks Legacy Fund. I am very excited that District Five’s newest city-owned park located at Mississippi and Dayton is moving forward.”
The newly acquired property had previously been the subject of a proposed swim club then pickleball club, although neither project received full community support and ultimately did not move forward. With the land now secured for public use, DPR will maintain and improve the health of the existing trees and ensure the property is safe for people to enjoy the land in its current condition while the community visioning process takes shape.
The Denver Park Trust’s contribution of $75,000 toward the acquisition supports its vision of a thriving, resilient, and sustainable Denver where everyone has access to exceptional parks, trails, and recreation.
10% of all unrestricted donations are reserved for the Denver Park Trust’s “Park Fund”, money set aside to build new parks where residents don’t have access to a public park nearby. Your donations support projects like this future park coming to the Windsor neighborhood. Donate today!