Page 1 - Denver, CO Sunken Gardens

HISTORIC ASSESSMENT

INTRODUCTION
As part of the first steps of the Sunken Gardens Master
Plan, this historic assessment memo summarizes the
history of the park, important historic resources within
the park and begins to explore ideas for alternative treat-
ments. Sunken Gardens Park is listed as a contributing
feature to the Denver Park and Parkway System listing
in the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore,
a closer look at the history of and historic resources in
Sunken Gardens is needed to determine the appropriate
treatment options.

While the relationship between the park and the sur-
rounding neighborhoods and structures, such as West
High School, are mentioned and considered, this memo
focuses on the park itself and the key historic structures
within the park. A graphic timeline supplements this text
to illustrate the changes in the park over time. The time-
line will be used during community outreach events to Before the construction of Sunken Gardens Park, the land along
allow participants to add stories and other information to Cherry Creek was a dump space. This photo shows the land a
expand the story of the park beyond the construction and few years before construction on the northern section of the park
began, 1908. (Denver Municipal Facts: Volume 4 Number 20,
demolition of structures. 1912 May 18. Denver Public Library.)
HISTORIC OVERVIEW OF SUNKEN
GARDENS PARK
For its 110 years, Sunken Gardens Park has played a
significant role in the city’s park system, serving as a
neighborhood park and a green space embellishment
along Speer Boulevard between 8th and 11th Avenues.
The history of sunken gardens is defined by evolution and
change as it responded to the needs of the community.
Initially designed in two stages, the park’s two main sec-
tions - the northern and southern - identify two different
design movements. The northern section, the first com-
ponent of the park, was designed in accordance with the
City Beautiful movement by George Kessler, while the
southern section was developed five years later by land-
scape architect Saco R. DeBoer with a rustic feel. While
all part of one park, these two design periods and de-
signers resulted in a park with two very distinct sections. Looking west from Cherry Creek to Sunken Gardens Park, final
construction efforts on the northern section of the park are
Many of the features incorporated as part of the original underway to prepare for the summer opening of the park. The
designs still survive today and convey the park’s history. reflecting pool and wooden pavilion can be seen as key features
of the park in this photo. (Denver Municipal Facts: Volume 2
This section describes the history of the park and is out- Number 15, 1910 April 9. Denver Public Library.)
lined in the following time periods:

• 1901 - 1911: The City Beautiful Period of Influence
• 1916 - 1918: Rustic Period of Influence
• 1921 - 1939: Completing the Visions

• 1940 - 1980: Responding to Changing Conditions

• 1980 - 2020: An Urbanizing Context

1909 – 1911: The City Beautiful Period of
Influence
During this initial time period, the framework for the
northern portion of the park was developed by George “Day View from Elati Street”. This image shows the original
Kessler. The grading and basic organizational struc- wooden pavilion structure, before it was destroyed by a wind-
ture and circulation of the park were established for the storm and replaced with a concrete pavilion in 1911. (Denver
Municipal Facts: Volume 2 Number 38, 1910 September 17.
northern portion of the park during this time in keeping Denver Public Library.)
with the classical traditions of the period. Elements added
CITY & COUNTY OF D ENVER | P ARKS & RECREATION
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