Page 6 - Denver, CO Sunken Gardens

SUNKEN GARDENS

This aerial view shows Sunken Gardens before the construction of West High School. The reflecting pool, formal gardens, original
pathways and the “woodland glen” design are all shown. Speer Boulevard’s separated nature and the creek are also visible. (Denver
Municipal Facts: Volume 8 Numbers 1 and 2, 1925 January-February. Denver Public Library.)
EXISTING CONDITIONS OF SUNKEN
GARDENS PARK
From its inception to the current condition of the park,
the design and its overall intent remains the same. While
many of the original structures have been removed and
the formal qualities of some landscaping features have
not been maintained, the visitor experience of two sepa-
rate spaces connected by clear pathways remains intact.
The following section describes key components of the
park and for historic components, describes their signifi-
cance, condition and potential treatment options.
Sunken Gardens Context
Sunken Gardens is located between 11th Avenue and 8th
Avenue, running parallel to Speer Boulevard and Cherry
Creek. The park is primarily two triangular shapes with
the larger portion to the north and a smaller southern
portion. To the west, the park is bordered by Elati Street,
which contains the majority of parking access for those
driving to the park. West High School sits on the other
side of Elati Street. The high school’s building and fields
run the length of Elati Street. 9th Avenue and Delaware
Street narrow the park at approximately the north-south
halfway point. Denver Health borders the southern por-
tion of Sunken Gardens Park, occupying the full block
along 8th Avenue between Speer Boulevard and Dela-
ware Street. Speer Boulevard, part of the original City
Beautiful parkway system designed by George Kessler , is
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directionally divided and is split by Cherry Creek and its
West High School borders Sunken Gardens Park to the west and
serves as a key landmark adjacent to the park. (Winter & Com- 4 “Speer Boulevard.” The Cultural Landscape Foundation.
pany, 2020) 2001-2020. https://tclf.org/landscapes/speer-boulevard
CITY & COUNTY OF D ENVER | P ARKS & RECREATION
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