Page 20 - Denver, CO Sunken Gardens

SUNKEN GARDENS

Significance
The rock garden, waterfall and stream are highly signif-
icant to the original park design. The meandering swale
through the southern portion of the park is also highly
significant.
Condition
The condition of these landscape features vary. The ser-
pentine swale still exists and is in good condition. While
remnants of the rock garden still exist, they are in poor
condition and nowhere near the original design. The wa-
terfall is now missing.
Treatment
Consider reconstructing or reinterpreting this feature.

Lost Structures
While remnants remain of the majority of the structures
that were once part of Sunken Gardens, a few structures
The original rock garden and waterfall was designed to be much have been completely lost as the park has changed.
more extensive and dense in landscaping than the remnants No evidence remains for most of the structures in this
show. Opportunities to enhance this area of the park should be category, although some evidence remains of the histor-
studied. (“Corner in Sunken Gardens.” Western History Collec-
tion: X-27742. 1910-1930. Denver Public Library.) ic “comfort station.” The letter and number combination
after each structure refers to the map on page 16.
Comfort station (3A)
The comfort station, which also served as an overlook,
was built into the embankment along 9th Avenue. While
the cut out remains from this structure, the restroom
building no longer remains. Instead, this cut out space is
now used as a basketball court. This concrete area is in
need of serious maintenance if it is to continue function-
ing as a sport court. The concrete walls are crumbling and
being used for graffiti, and the basketball hoop itself is
missing. Safety concerns have also been raised about this
structure due to the height between the path along 9th
The original comfort station consisted of bathrooms and an ob- Avenue and the base of the court. Overall, this structure
servation deck overlooking the park. This structure has not been is a noncontributing component of the park and detracts
part of the park for many decades, but its location is still key to from the original park features and intent.
the park as it has been adapted for other uses and should be
considered for additional uses in the future. (Denver Municipal Significance
Facts: Volume 2 number 52, 1910 December 24. Denver Public The comfort station was somewhat significant to the park
Library.) design.
Condition
The comfort station building is missing, although the ob-
servatory deck component of the building overlooking the
park remains and is in fair condition.

Treatment
Consider other uses for what was once the comfort sta-
tion and is now a ball court.

Wooden footbridge (3B)
The original design of the southern end of the park con-
tained lush vegetation, a rock garden, waterfall and a
wooden footbridge. This footbridge that was once part of
the circulation system in the park was demolished.
Significance
The wooden footbridge was a significant component to
the design of the southern portion of the park.
A wooden footbridge was once part of the southern portion of Condition
the park, embedded in the dense landscaping. While no longer
part of the existing park features, there are opportunities for The wooden footbridge is missing.
reconstruction or reinterpretation of this feature. (“Footbridge at Treatment
Sunken Gardens.” Western History Collection: X-27740. 1910- Consider reconstructing the wooden footbridge or incor-
1930. Denver Public Library.)
porating an interpretive feature.
CITY & COUNTY OF D ENVER | P ARKS & RECREATION
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