Page 7 - Denver, CO Sunken Gardens

HISTORIC ASSESSMENT

subsequent trail system. Due to the grade separation be- Treatment
tween Speer Boulevard and Sunken Gardens, a series of The spatial organization of the park should be preserved
small staircases lead from the park to the sidewalk along in planning efforts in order to reflect the original design
Speer Boulevard. One of the staircases in this series leads of the park occurring in two distinct styles.
to the foundation of what once was the pedestrian sus-
pension bridge crossing Cherry Creek. Land Use
Specific land uses and cultural traditions have varied
Spatial Organization throughout the history of Sunken Gardens park as the
Sunken Gardens consists primarily of two main spaces, active and social needs of the community and users of
each of which resemble a triangle framed on the east by the park, including Denver citizens and West High School
Speer. The north triangle is framed by Elati Street to the students, changed. Originally, the design of Sunken
west and 9th Avenue to the south; the smaller, southern Gardens responded to the need for a combination of
triangle is framed by Delaware Street to the west and 8th active and passive spaces that could be utilized by the
Avenue to the south. Originally designed in accordance surrounding neighborhoods. Prior to the opening of
with the City Beautiful movement, the northern triangle West High School, Sunken Gardens offered swimming,
retains its open concept. While the formal gardens no ice-skating and space for gathering and walking. When
longer exist, the large lawn and landscaping around the West High School opened in 1926, the number of regular
edges is reminiscent of the original plan for the park, users increased significantly as it provided an important
despite the filling in of the reflecting pool. The southern space not only for the community, but for the social,
component of the park also retains its original charac- recreational and educational growth of the students. It
ter which incorporated denser, more informal landscape became the school’s “front yard” and provided a land-
plantings, taking advantage of its natural setting. Despite scape setting.
the numerous changes to the park over its 110 year
history, the spatial configuration of two distinguishable After 1926, many of the activities once offered were no
sections remains a key feature. longer available. Swimming and ice-skating were dis-
continued in 1951 when the reflecting pool was filled
In addition to the two primary sections of the park, a se- with rubber and soil. Water activities were replaced with
ries of rooms create an intimate experience for the user. baseball, soccer and other sports, as well as a gathering
Similarly to the experience in each of the two primary space for local community members.
park sections, each room creates a unique experience for
the visitor. These rooms can be seen in the map on page Where the formal flower beds once were located is now
8 and reflect historic features of the park. The two rooms another open area surrounded by trees and some low
in the northern section of the park reflect the former for- bushes. Like the large space that was once the reflecting
mal garden space and the former reflecting pool, sepa- pool, this smaller portion of the northern triangle is now
rated by a berm and surrounded by trees that continue to primarily a gathering space, although it is also used for
buffer the room from adjacent traffic. recreational activity and exercise.
The rooms in the southern portion of the park reflect The previous public “comfort station,” the structure built
the historic design of this area as a woodland glen. into the hill along 9th Avenue that incorporated re-
The rooms are defined by the tree cover, and while the strooms and an observatory deck, has now been repur-
changes in vegetation since the original design may posed as a basketball court. The building was removed,
have altered the rooms slightly, the historic spaces can but the court is still built into the hill. While Sunken
still be experienced. As seen on the map, the sunshade Gardens does not contain many areas planned as active
structure, serpentine swale and the rock garden are all uses, the other is the large playground facility located at
key components to a defined room. The trees around the the center of the southern triangle. This playground con-
new playground structure are key in defining this room, tains a variety of equipment pieces for children to play
although it was not part of the original design. The final on, as well as seating at the edges for families.
room at the southwest corner is part of a gateway into
the park and defined by mature and newer trees. Other than the playground equipment, the southern
portion of the park continues to reflect the primarily
Another key experience in the park is the “walk in the passive design that was part of DeBoer’s original plan. A
woods”, which occurs along the internal pathway paral- few structures, including the maintenance building, the
lel to Speer Boulevard. While not a defined room, this sun shade structure and a handful of picnic tables, dot
corridor creates a unique experience surrounded by trees the landscape, but the southern portion largely remains
while still near adjacent activity. open. Small remnants of the original rock garden remain,
but this space is now more open than it originally ap-
Significance peared and functioned.
The original design of the park and its two main spaces
are highly significant and a key component of the park. Significance
While historic uses throughout the park were originally
Condition key to the park’s design and operation, the current land
While some key features and structures of each of the uses are not significant.
two park areas have been removed over the years, the
overall spatial organization remains in good condition, Condition
and the visitor experience of the two park sections con- The changing land uses in Sunken Gardens over its
tinues to be distinct. hundred year history reflect the changing needs of the
CITY & COUNTY OF D ENVER | P ARKS & RECREATION
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