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On this cold morning, AJ and I went to Washington Park to take a stroll. Many of the leaves are and have been changing over the past couple weeks. As we walked, we wondered how long Washington Park has been around. We saw many benches and other places with plaques about people and what their contributions to Washington Park were.
Here are some dates and people that contributed to the creation of Washongton Park:
The land that became Washington Park was anchored by Smith’s Ditch, an early irrigation canal was completed around 1865–1867, which brought water to parts of the area.
The area around Smith Lake was a local feature. In the 1890s, Smith Lake even supported ice harvesting operations.
In 1897, after Denver annexed the area, Mayor Thomas McMurray initiated condemnation of land south of Smith Lake to create a public park.
The park was named Washington Park in 1899, in honor of the centennial of George Washington’s death.
Design, Landscape, and Growth
Design, Landscape, and Growth
Landscape architect Reinhard Schuetze was commissioned to lay out the park in 1899, designing the first plans with meadows, curving paths, lakes, and aesthetic plantings.
Over the years, other notable landscape architects and planners contributed: the Olmsted Brothers (who refined paths, green spaces, and overall design) and S. R. DeBoer.
By 1904, the park had reached roughly its present size via additional land purchases.
In 1905, a pump house was built to support irrigation of the park’s plantings.
In 1913, the Boathouse (boats & pavilion) was completed (designed by J. J. B. Benedict), becoming a landmark building in the park.
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