Parks and Open Space

Denver has a century-old love affair with parks.

 

Robert Speer, Denver mayor from 1904-12 and 1916-18 when he died of influenza during a national epidemic, was the city’s first major proponent of beautifying public land and dedicating it for public use. Most every mayor since Speer has shared his value of civic beauty and pride and demonstrated it by ensuring proper funding for parks and municipal buildings.  

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Speer was inspired by the City Beautiful Movement that emerged in the 1890’s. It was promoted by architects and urban planners who saw a need for more focus on aesthetics for the nation’s growing – and grimy -- urban areas and grander public and cultural buildings. The movement got a huge boost from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair – dubbed The White City because it featured massive European-style white buildings based on the Beaux-Arts style of architecture that is influenced by classical Roman and Greek forms, 

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Speer initiated the construction of Civic Center Park that separates Denver City Hall and the state Capitol. He laid the groundwork for the city’s boulevards and many parks and instilled an ethos in City Hall of valuing public open space that has lasted into the 21st century. 

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Idealists in the movement believed it would promote a more cohesive social order and enhance the quality of everyone’s life.  

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In many ways, they were right. Particularly when it comes to Stapleton!