The Globeville-Elyria-Swansea (GES) neighborhoods are a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties, with little green space or parks and low tree cover. Using an innovative ownership model, a group of residents called Tierras Verdes, organizes around the acquisition and greening of vacant lands in GES to steward for environmental well-being. Many of these properties are paved, filled with noxious weeds and trash, and rarely maintained. By purchasing and greening these lands, communities benefit from the added sitting areas, art, gardens, and natural habitat.
The 4790 Josephine property was prioritized by community members as a Tierras Verdes property. The group raised funds to purchase the 9720 sq. foot lot at 4790 Josephine through foundational support, local fundraising events, private contributions, and a Community Grant from the Denver Park Trust. After closing on the property, community members contributed sweat equity by adding water access and planting trees, shrubs, medicinal plants, and a food forest with the help of Denver Urban Gardens. Neighbors are committed to maintaining this land as a community amenity. There are ongoing conversations with Denver Parks and Recreation and a nearby community center, Focus Points, about connecting Swansea Park to this property with a greenway tree-line.
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