History

Planning for the parkway began as early as 1909. The Olmsted Brothers Firm was engaged to design this extension of Cheesman Park in 1913. Williams Street, East 4th Avenue and Downing Street Parkway (as well as Gilpin Street and East 3rd Avenue forming connecting links) were included in the 1912 Williams Street Parkway Improvement District. They were designed, as they should be considered, as a linkage between Cheesman Park and the Speer Boulevard/Cherry Creek corridor. Williams Street serves as a connection to the park from the Country Club district.

Historic Evolution

What currently remains intact along Williams Street is a double row of street trees, planted in triangular spacing. That spacing creates a strong defining edge and a thick, double canopy overhead. Over the years, however many of the original Elms have died and have been substituted with trees which are inconsistent with the original intent. The addition of Northern Red Oak, and Green Ash have formed a canopy which has lost its majesty. New trees were replaced as the older trees died, resulting in a variation of size and texture forming an inconsistent canopy profile.

Intrusions into the tree lawn have occurred between the allee of street trees, shortening the views which should extent the length of the parkway. Residents continually attempt to privatize the tree lawn, degrading the historical design integrity of the parkway.