Letter from the President, Stephen Eppler

A city park logo with the name of the park and a tree.


The “History of City Park” presentation by Liz Clancy and Kris Haglund at our well attended last meeting on June 11 was wonderful.  The historic photos were particularly interesting as they showed how City Park has evolved into its current form as well as documenting the Park’s long history.  We are planning to post the video of this presentation when editing is complete.

The planned sale of the Park Hill Golf Course land to Denver-based developer Westside Investment Partners was the next topic.  Woody Garnsey, a retired attorney, involved with Save Open Space Denver [sosphgc@gmail.com] explained what was known about the planned deal.  Years ago, Denver paid $2 million for a conservation easement requiring this land to remain as a golf course or open space.  Despite this obligation, there is enormous pressure to develop these 155 acres of  what could become a regional park.  Please sign the petition posted here to show your support for preserving the PHGC land as a regional park. https://www.change.org/p/denver-city-council-members-preserve-and-uphold-the-park-hill-golf-course-conservation-easement

After discussion, a ‘Resolution In Support of Preserving the Park Hill Golf Course Perpetual Open Space Conservation Easement’ was nominated, seconded and passed overwhelmingly by the present membership and Board.  This resolution will be forwarded to Inter Neighborhood Cooperation (INC), Denver City Council Members and others as part of the effort to preserve this remaining area of open space from development.

A copy of the resolution is presented below:

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PRESERVING THE PARK HIILL GOLF COURSE PERPETUAL OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION EASEMENT
WHEREAS, on November 4, 1997  under the administration of Mayor Wellington Webb, the City and County of Denver (“Denverâ€) purchased a perpetual open space conservation easement covering the Park Hill Golf Course land from the George W. Clayton Trust (“Claytonâ€) in exchange for $2 million paid to Clayton;
WHEREAS, in granting the perpetual open space conservation easement, Clayton in perpetuity relinquished its right to develop the Park Hill Golf Course land in exchange for the $2 million payment; 
WHEREAS, Clayton’s decision to sell its development rights for the Park Hill Golf Course land was made by its Board of Trustees based upon an appraisal commissioned by Clayton;
WHEREAS, Clayton now wants to sell the Park Hill Golf Course Land to a purchaser that wants to develop the land;
WHEREAS, any such sale would be subject to the encumbrance of the perpetual open space conservation easement unless Denver might agree to terminate it; 
WHEREAS, for many reasons, preservation of this 155-acre parcel of open space is critical to the health and well being of Denver citizens in this increasingly densifying city;
NOW THEREFORE, City Park Friends and Neighbors respectfully urges the members of the Denver City Council to reject any effort to terminate the perpetual open space conservation easement.
Approved by City Park Friends and Neighbors this 2nd day of July, 2019

There will be no meeting in August.

CPFAN’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 3rd at 6 PM at the Messiah Lutheran Church on the corner of Colorado Blvd and 18th Street.  Peggy Day, Director of Strategic Planning at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science will be speaking about the planned nature play area to be built adjacent to the museum.  Following a question and answer period, a discussion is planned about the new playground, the status of Park Hill Golf Course and other issues effecting City Park.