Capital Projects
A Legacy of
Park Improvements
The Park People has a long history of park improvement projects throughout our community. Over the past 56 years, we have infused tens of millions of private dollars to support Denver's world-class parks and recreation system. Our capital projects include restoring existing park infrastructure, such as fountains and historic park buildings, and new construction, like playgrounds and recreation facilities. We've supported high profile sites, like the Washington Park Boat House, Cheesman Park Pavilion, Civic Center Esplanade, and City Park fountains. We also value lesser known community treasures. These include: the beloved Sundial & Plaza in Cranmer Park, the historic James Fleming House in Platt Park, and the award-winning Gates Tennis Center. We look for high-need projects, such as playground builds in neighborhoods that lack access to recreation resources.
Building Denver’s Parks Together
Partnerships That Make it Possible
The following capital projects represent a small sampling of The Park People's work over the past 56 years. Each of these represents extensive work, collaboration, support, and dedication. For example, the majority were executed in partnership with other organizations, notably Denver's Department of Parks and Recreation. Moreover, none of these projects could have been accomplished without crucial support of our generous community, for which we are truly grateful.
- Save Our Sundial
- James Fleming House, Platt Park
- Kids' Court at Gates Tennis Center
- Chaffee Park Playground
- Knox Court Playground
- Wynken, Blynken & Nod Statue
- H2Odyssey Interactive Fountain, City Park
- Civic Center Esplanade
- Pioneer Monument
- Washington Park Boathouse
- Cheesman Park Pavilion
Our Projects
Save Our Sundial
On October 3, 2018, alongside Denver Parks and Recreation, we unveiled the newly renovated and reconstructed Sundial & Plaza in Cranmer Park! The sundial has been and will continue to be a cherished landmark. It is a memorable backdrop of lifetime milestones for Denver families over many decades. The plaza now has a solid foundation that will better bear Colorado's freeze-thaw cycles. The giant 6-foot sundial has a fresh, unchipped face. The beautiful mosaic mountain panorama at the plaza's western edge is no longer interrupted by large sections of filler cement. As a result, the sundial is no longer one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places (Colorado Preservation, Inc. 2013)! Coming soon: Learn more about the project. Donate to the Sundial Preservation Endowment Fund.
James Fleming House, Platt Park
In 2013, The Park People completed the preservation of the James Fleming House, a stately mansion and historic landmark of Platt Park neighborhood. Originally a personal residence, the Fleming House served briefly as the city hall for the City of South Denver. Having fallen into disrepair and used primarily as storage in recent decades, this beautiful building has now been restored to its full glory. It serves a useful function as one of the City's community meeting spaces and events venues. Fun fact: it was The Park People's former headquarters!
Kid's Court
In 2013, we constructed Tom's Court, a USTA sanctioned kids' zone for children age 10 and under, at the Gates Tennis Center, a public facility which we oversee. This special space is designed and designated especially for young players and programming that serves them. It introduces children to tennis, promotes physcial activity, and encourages a life-long love of the game. And, most importantly, brings a sheer sense of enjoyment and belonging!
Chaffee Park Playground
Together again with community members, local partners, and national playground organization KaBOOM!, we visioned and built a second playground, this time in Chaffee Park in the Sunnyside neighborhood in northwest Denver. It was an inspiring process of community engagement and visioning and an exciting day of civic action.
Knox Court Playground
The Park People partnered with local partners, community members, and KaBOOM!, to co-imagine and community-build a new playground in west Denver's Westwood neighborhood. Westwood is one of our city's neighborhoods with the least access to parks and children's resources.
Gates Tennis Center
In partnership with the Gates Family Foundation and the City & County of Denver, The Park People completed a $4.7 million reconstruction of the Gates Tennis Center in Cherry Creek. The Gates Tennis Center is a public center that features club-like amenities. It is one of the premier facilities in the state and received the United States Tennis Association's "Large Public Facility of the Year" and Great Outdoors Colorado's "Starburst" awards in 2008. It continues to receive great accolades and pioneer innovative programming and inclusive community outreach.
Support Our Work
Sign up for our Park Bench Newsletter to stay tuned to learn more about The Park People's next capital improvement project in 2026.
In the meantime, you can support The Park People to ensure that we can continue to enhance Denver's parks, recreation resources, open spaces, and urban forest.
