New Freedom Park

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As Westerly Creek runs through Denver, it rarely sees the light of day. Mostly piped underground, its waters rise to street level in an East Colfax neighborhood, surfacing in a vacant lot—two acres of bare dirt, weeds, and broken glass. The low-income neighborhood residents, mostly refugees from war-torn countries, emerge into the same open space, their only option for enjoying the outdoors.

Denver Parks and Recreation Department enlisted The Trust for Public Land's expertise to help transform the entire lot into a community park and garden. We worked closely with Denver Urban Gardens, the City, nonprofits, business partners—and most importantly, the local residents—to build the new park, which opened opened in June 2012. The community also gave the new park a new name: New Freedom Park, a place where families can grow fresh food, children can play safely, and neighbors can gather.