Introduction

With its tree-lined streets and rich mixture of architecture, Park Hill is a haven against Denver’s daily grind. The area’s charm is shared by long-term residences as well as young transplants starting new families. Not only is Park Hill multi-generational, the people have diverse culture, faith and political backgrounds which create Park Hill’s unique character and reputation.

Conveniently located several miles east of downtown Denver, the neighborhood encompasses 500 blocks and is divided into South, North and Northeast Park Hill. The Denver Zoo and Denver Nature & Science Museum are immediately to the west while the new Stapleton Urban development is to the east.

History

Established in 1887 by Baron Allois Gillaume Eugen von Winckler who purchased a track of land in the area, Park Hill was home to a dog track and served as a camp during the Spanish-American War. Park Hill did not flourish as a neighborhood until 1900s shortly after the Baron’s death. The neighborhood sprang to life through a series of additions that showcase the different architectural styles promoted by developers.

During the turn-of-the century, dairy farms and herds of cattle dotted the southern and eastern part of the neighborhood while the clay soil was idea for promoting the brick industry in the north. Ferry Brickyards, which closed in the 1950s, had produced more than 24 million bricks. The northern part of the neighborhood was home to the several airfields including Lowry Field and Curtis Humphrey Fields which eventually closed when the  Stapleton airport developed.

Family-Friendly Amenities

The large urban neighborhood offers plenty of educational and sports related activities to please everyone in the family. Often classes are offered by local residents and offered by “word of mouth”, advertised in the Park Hill News (neighborhood newspaper) or posted on community bulletin boards in churches, schools and local businesses.

Greater Park Hill Community Inc (GPHC) not only edits and delivers the newspaper but sponsors a community food bank and several major events each year including:
Garden Tour – Showcasing landscaping and gardens in June
Home Tour – Take a tour of six neighborhood houses in mid-Sept ranging in architectural style. Craft fair and food are also available.
Bike Tour – A five mile family bike ride through the neighborhood. Date varies.

Dining

With the exception of restaurants located in the south on Colfax Avenue, many of the restaurants are independently owned ranging from pastries to quick dining to fine (or almost fine) dining. There are several small business districts in the area but the two districts that are friendliest for pedestrians and dogs are Kearney (22nd and Kearney) and 23rd Avenue (23rd and Dexter).

Architecture & Housing

A variety of architectural styles that often vary by block are present in the neighborhood. The earliest homes were Victorian – Queen Anne style architecture but during the early part of the century the Foursquare (also know as Denver Square), one story bungalows and English Tudors became very popular. The neighborhood also sprouted a few Mediterranean and International-style homes. Housing in South Park Hill ranges from the lower $300,000 to over $1,000,000. Prices have remained strong, especially between 17th Avenue Parkway and 23rd Avenue.

The north and northeast part of the area was developed after WWII and is comprised of many simple tract homes. The homes generally are under 1,000 square feet and built from brick or cinder block. Housing remains affordable in this area from the low $100,000 to the low $300,000.

New development is occurring in the neighborhood where homes on larger lots are sub-divided to make way for a new home, existing homes have been scraped to build new homes and smaller houses have been expanded with a new addition onto the back or adding a second story (called a pop-top).

Businesses

A variety of businesses dot the neighborhood from doggy grooming to dry cleaners to fitness, residents do not have far to go. Large grocery stores are not present in the neighborhood but are conveniently located close-by (of course, Spinnelli’s does offer a small range of groceries when you can’t leave the neighborhood).

Education

A plethora of educational opportunities (too many to list) are available in Park Hill from a cooperative preschool to parochial schools to several public elementary schools.

Churches