Denver Opens Bethesda Park, Transforming Former Greenhouse Site Into Community Green Space

Published: November 2, 2026

Residents of southeast Denver now have a new place to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors following the opening of Bethesda Park in the North University Hills neighborhood. The nearly two-acre park officially opened on October 22, 2026, transforming a former commercial greenhouse property into an accessible public space designed around recreation, nature, and community connection.

The project expands access to outdoor recreation in an area where major roadways have made reaching existing parks more difficult for some residents. With its inclusive playground, walking paths, shaded picnic areas, and natural landscaping, Bethesda Park provides new opportunities for families and neighbors to spend time outdoors close to home.

A New Park for an Underserved Neighborhood

Located near East Iliff Avenue and South Bellaire Street, Bethesda Park occupies the former Groundcovers Greenhouse property, which the City of Denver acquired in 2019.

Before the park opened, the nearest existing park was nearly a mile away. Major transportation corridors, including Interstate 25 and Colorado Boulevard, also created barriers for residents seeking convenient access to green space.

The new park supports Denver’s broader goal of ensuring that every resident can reach quality park space within a 10-minute walk or roll. Its opening represents a meaningful investment in neighborhood accessibility, outdoor recreation, and community well-being.

Accessible Playground and Recreation for All Ages

Bethesda Park features a variety of amenities designed to accommodate different ages, interests, and abilities.

The inclusive, two-tiered playground incorporates play areas for younger and older children, with climbing structures, sensory features, accessible surfaces, and opportunities for exploration. Its design works with the site’s natural elevation, connecting the playground’s two levels.

Additional amenities include:

• A multisport court for recreational activities
• Walking paths connecting different areas of the park
• Open lawns for play, relaxation, and informal gatherings
• Shaded picnic tables and seating areas
• Two plazas designed for neighborhood gatherings
• Solar-powered lighting
• A small outdoor classroom within a forest grove

Together, these features create a flexible public space where families can play, residents can exercise, and neighbors can gather in a welcoming outdoor setting.

Bringing Nature Into the Neighborhood

Environmental sustainability is an important part of Bethesda Park’s design. Approximately one-third of the site is dedicated to native grasses and pollinator-friendly perennials, which are intended to support local wildlife while reducing long-term water needs once established.

The landscaping also incorporates habitat features for insects and birds, helping create opportunities for residents to experience nature within an urban neighborhood.

Another notable element is the reuse of materials from the property and surrounding landscape. Fallen tree trunks were salvaged and repurposed throughout the site, while concrete pavers from the property’s previous use were incorporated into a pathway through the forest grove.

These features demonstrate how neighborhood parks can combine recreation, environmental awareness, and thoughtful use of existing materials.

Community Input Helped Shape the Park

Bethesda Park reflects several years of planning and community engagement. Denver Parks and Recreation began working on the project following the property’s acquisition in 2019, with a community vision-planning process helping establish the park’s direction.

Residents contributed ideas for recreational facilities, gathering spaces, walking paths, and natural landscaping. The resulting design follows an “Urban Wild” concept that brings people and nature together in an inclusive, sustainable public space.

The park’s name was also selected through a community-led process, reflecting the neighborhood’s involvement in shaping the project.

The opening celebration brought together city representatives, project partners, and community members to mark the completion of the long-planned neighborhood improvement.

Funding a Long-Term Investment in Public Parks

The acquisition of the former greenhouse property was the first purchase made through Denver’s Parks Legacy Fund, approved by voters in 2018 to help preserve and expand the city’s park system.

Construction of Bethesda Park was supported by $5.5 million from the RISE Denver General Obligation Bond program, a voter-approved initiative established to fund infrastructure and other public improvements.

The project adds to Denver’s ongoing efforts to expand access to green space, improve neighborhood amenities, and create public places that support recreation and environmental resilience.

What Bethesda Park Means for Denver Residents

The opening of Bethesda Park gives North University Hills residents a new nearby destination for outdoor activities, family recreation, and neighborhood gatherings.

For families, the accessible playground provides more inclusive opportunities for children to play. For other residents, walking paths, shaded seating, and open lawns offer space for exercise, relaxation, and social connection.

The park also demonstrates how unused commercial properties can be transformed into public amenities that serve long-term community needs.

As Denver continues investing in its parks and open spaces, projects like Bethesda Park highlight the value of community participation, accessible design, and sustainable landscaping.

A New Chapter for the Former Greenhouse Site

Bethesda Park’s opening marks the transformation of a former commercial property into a lasting neighborhood resource. Through accessible recreation, natural landscaping, and community-focused design, the new park offers residents more opportunities to enjoy outdoor space close to home.

Beyond its playground and gathering areas, Bethesda Park represents a broader commitment to making Denver’s neighborhoods more connected, inclusive, and welcoming for generations to come.