Westwood Neighborhood Projects

Overview

Several projects and planning efforts are underway in Denver's Westwood neighborhood, bringing new green space and amenities to the community. Learn more about these projects in the following sections:

Via Verde Trail

The Via Verde Trail project will widen the existing multi-use trail from S Perry St to S Lowell St and construct a new multi-use trail from S. King St to S Irving St. Trail improvements include new signage and pedestrian crossings. A raised crosswalk and green infrastructure will also be constructed at the intersection of S Irving St & W Tennessee Ave/W Ford Pl. This trail will create neighborhood connections that may integrate with other city projects, community-led efforts, and private partnerships. Construction is scheduled January 2025 - Fall 2025.

Download the project information sheet(PDF, 1MB)

Public Meeting | November 7, 2023

In this community meeting, the nearly completed design of the Via Verde between S. Irving St. and W. Kentucky Ave. was demonstrated. The Via Verde will create a trail for pedestrians and cyclist that connects community landmarks. This phase includes a safe street crossing at S. Irving St., new trail segments, green infrastructure, educational opportunities, native planting and improved trail amenities.


En esta reunión comunitaria, el diseño casi completo de la Vía verde entre S. Irving St. y W. Kentucky Ave. se presento. La Vía Verde creará un sendero que conecta sitios comunitarios para peatones y ciclistas. Esta fase incluye una cruce segura en la S. Irving St., nuevos segmentos del sendero, infraestructura verde, oportunidades educacionales, siembras nativas, e instalaciones mejoradas para el sendero.

Public Meeting | August 25, 2022

Date: Thurs. August 25, 2022
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Kepner-Beacon Middle School: 911 S. Hazel Ct. 80219

The project team discussed the current status of Via Verde Trail, and the community provided feedback on early designs of the Irving to Kentucky section. 


Kentucky & Knox Park

Kentucky & Knox Park is a pocket park located in the Westwood neighborhood. The redesign consists of a new playground, irrigation system, and walk connectivity around the playground and picnic shelter, thanks to DPR Capital Funds.

Download the project information sheet.(PDF, 3MB) 


Project Timeline:

  • Spring 2022: Public Outreach
  • Summer 2022: Design Start
  • February 2024: Construction Start
  • Fall 2024: Project Complete

Kentucky & Irving Pocket Park

As of April 2024: the Kentucky & Irving Pocket is complete! View the photos from the ribbon-cutting celebration. Thank you to Denver Voters, this project was funded by Parks Legacy funds.

Kentucky & Irving Park_Mural and basketball

Park Improvements

Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) and Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure have collaborated with community partners - Trust for Public Land, D3 Arts, Groundwork Denver, and Westwood Unidos – to turn an old Xcel Energy substation into a resident envisioned pocket park. Park amenities were prioritized by and for neighborhood youth and include: skate features, basketball, seating, shade structures, original art mural along the park boundary. When complete, the project will also bring intersection and green infrastructure improvements along the Kentucky corridor.

The 2016 Westwood Neighborhood Plan identified transformative projects such as “Create a Neighborhood Greenway” and “Strengthen Community Resources & Spaces.” Spearheaded by Cool Connected Westwood (CCW), a coalition of over 20 public agencies, non-profits, and community partners, which formed in 2015. They created a vision plan for the Westwood Via Verde. The objective of the coalition to collaborate with residents to identify and implement neighborhood-scale improvement projects that improve access to parks, improve water quality, reduce the heat island effect and allow for potential job creation can all be found in the Via Verde project. A portion of which will soon be implemented near the Irving & Kentucky Park by DPR. 

Download the project information sheet(PDF, 467KB)

Community Outreach

Fiesta 1: Oct. 15, 2018

Flyer | Presentation | Survey [closed]


Westwood Recreation Center

Funded by the Elevate Denver Bond Program, this new recreation center will be the first in the neighborhood, providing increased access to health and wellness opportunities. This project is currently in the planning and community engagement phase.

Learn more and get involved!