Master Plans

The Game Plan’s previous emphasis on the vision of “a city in a park” and the core values of environment, engagement, equity and sound economics influenced how Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) invested in park and recreational amenities throughout the city. These core values will provide a foundation as we look to the community to update the Game Plan.

Below are some of the Game Plan goals that have been accomplished since it was adopted in 2003:

Increased parkland & recreation centers

• More than 630 acres of parkland and parks have been added totaling nearly 6,000 acres.
• One new state-of-the-art recreation center was completed in 2011, another will be complete in 2017, and four recreation centers were remodeled and expanded.

Increased Denver’s tree canopy

• Tree canopy in residential areas increased from 18 percent in 2003 to 20 percent today.

Reduced water used in park irrigation

• Today, DPR has more acres of park but uses 850 million gallons less water than in 2003. Over 75 parks now utilize centrally controlled irrigation systems providing automatic watering adjustments resulting in lower water use. Since 2003, DPR has converted more than 580 irrigated park acres from potable water to treated recycled water.

Improved pedestrian and bike connectivity

• More than 30 miles of paved trails were added for a total of 85 miles of paved trails. DPR completed some “missing links” within the trail system including the Westerly Creek trail.

Responded to evolving recreational needs

• In 2003, there were no disc golf courses nor dog parks. Today DPR has created three disc golf courses and nine dog parks. DPR is also building the Ruby Hill Bike Skills Course, the second bike skill area in the city.

Protected and Enhanced Natural Areas & Healthy Waterways

• 1,250 acres of prime natural resource areas have been protected and over 2.5 miles of gulch waterways have been restored throughout the city. The “River Vision” projects are transforming what were once dumping grounds into a series of vibrant parks along the South Platte River including improved water access and environmental education opportunities.

Revitalized and Protect Mountain Parks

• Mountain park resources have been renovated and restored, including: trail improvements at Summit Lake and Red Rocks, renovations to Echo Lake Lodge, and new trails, a bison overlook, and road and parking improvements at Genesee Park.

Protected, preserved and rehabilitated historic parks, parkways and structures

• Some of the city’s most historic parks received significant investment for rehabilitation including Civic Center’s Voorhies Memorial and Greek Theater, Cheesman Pavilion and theWashington Park Boat House. At City Park the bandstand was restored, Prismatic and Thatcher Fountains rehabilitated, and work on restoring Sullivan Gateway is beginning.
• Civic Center and Red Rocks were designated National Historic Landmarks. 

Read the Executive Summary (PDF)

• Full Table of Contents (PDF)
• Acknowledgements (PDF)

Chapters (PDFs):

1. The Process
2. Responding to Change
3. (3.1): System of Play
   (3.2): Green Neighborhoods
4. A Connected City
5. Mountains to Plains
6. Sustainability
7. Equity
8. Engagement
9. Sound Economics
10. Next Steps

Appendix (PDF)
Financials (PDF)

Phase 1: Evaluate Existing Conditions

• April 2017:  Existing Conditions Report (PDF)
  The existing conditions report culminates the first phase of the 2017 Game Plan update and documents the existing state of the entire parks and recreation system to uncover key issues that the Game Plan should address.

Phase 2: Public Outreach & Drafting of Goals/Objectives

• Oct. 2017: Phase 2 Community Input Summary (PDF)
  This update summarizes the feedback collected over the past six months through user surveys and listening sessions, including more than 20 presentations, public forums and workshops.
  
  
• Oct. 2017: DRAFT Goals and Objectives (PDF)
  The feedback provided has influenced revised goals and objectives to guide the plan forward.
  
  
• Nov. 2017: A third series of public open houses were hosted to gather feedback on draft strategies. An online survey is available until March 30, 2018. [CLOSED]
  • Watch full video presentation 
  • Download video presentation slides (PDF)
  • Download meeting boards with strategy details (PDF)
  • View the public feedback summary (PDF)

Phase 3: Prioritize Draft Recommendations

• May 2018: Phase 3 Survey Prioritizes Recommendations 
  
  
• During Phase 3, additional data and feedback was collected during public forums, task force meetings, staff workshops and an online survey. This input revealed community priorities and built on what was learned during Phase 1 & 2. This feedback will be used to further refine the draft strategies and influence the final report, focusing on the development of action steps and metrics to realize goals and strategies. 
  • View the feedback summary. (PDF) 

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Task Force Meeting 1: July 14, 2016
presentation | meeting summary

Task Force Meeting 2: October 27, 2016
presentation part I | presentation part II  | meeting summary

Task Force Meeting 3: January 26, 2017
presentation | meeting summary

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting: February 8, 2017
presentation

Public Open Houses: March 21-23, 2017
meeting boards

Task Force Meeting 4: March 23, 2017
presentation

Public Open Houses: November 28-30
Watch full video presentation 
Download video presentation slides (PDF)
Download meeting boards with strategy details (PDF)
View the public feedback summary (PDF)