City Park Golf Course Redesign

Reimagining a historic golf course as a resilient community asset that blends recreation, sustainability, and flood protection.

The City Park Golf Course Redesign transformed one of Denver’s most iconic recreational destinations into a modern, environmentally resilient facility that serves golfers, park users, and the broader community. The comprehensive redevelopment included a redesigned 18-hole golf course, a new clubhouse and maintenance facility, innovative stormwater infrastructure, and an extensive reforestation program, creating a project that balances recreation, sustainability, and public safety.

The design emerged from an extensive community-driven planning process that brought together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders to shape the future of the course. The result is an 18-hole, par-70 golf course that preserves the historic parkland character of the site while enhancing playability and accessibility for golfers of all skill levels. The redesigned course incorporates existing corridors on seven holes, maintains sweeping views throughout the park, and offers a diverse mix of hole lengths and playing experiences. Additional amenities include a short-game practice area adjacent to the clubhouse, a full-length driving range exceeding 300 yards without netting, and an expanded First Tee course that supports youth golf and player development.

Beyond recreation, the project serves a critical infrastructure function for the City of Denver. The course was engineered to temporarily store and slow floodwaters during major storm events, providing additional protection for thousands of downstream homes and businesses. Integrated stormwater management features include natural drainage channels and water treatment systems that enhance water quality while creating golf course hazards and landscape features that complement the course’s parkland aesthetic.

Environmental stewardship was a central project goal. Construction prioritized the preservation of healthy existing trees, retaining nearly all perimeter trees and minimizing impacts to the surrounding landscape. The reforestation program resulted in a net gain of approximately 500 trees and introduced species selected for long-term resilience against environmental stressors, pests, and reclaimed water use. The plan also preserved important views and maintained the open character of City Park.

The new clubhouse was designed as both a golf facility and a community gathering destination. Featuring expansive west-facing views, floor-to-ceiling glass, and materials inspired by the surrounding landscape, the building accommodates golf operations, events, and community activities simultaneously. Sustainable design strategies helped the facility achieve LEED Gold certification while enhancing occupant comfort and operational efficiency.

The result is a revitalized civic asset that preserves the legacy of City Park Golf Course while delivering enhanced recreation, environmental benefits, and long-term resilience for the Denver community.

This project received multiple industry awards, including:

• 2020 Best Project Winner Award for Water/Environment from Engineering News-Record (ENR) Mountain States
• 2020 Best of the Best Project Winner Award for Water/Environment from ENR Nationa
• 2019 Environmental Excellence Award from American Society of Golf Course Architects
• 2018 Design Excellence Award from American Society of Golf Course Architects
• LEED Gold Certification, 2019