Cheesman Park, Urban park and historic district in Capitol Hill neighborhood, Denver, United States
Cheesman Park is an 80-acre urban park in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood featuring a central neoclassical marble pavilion as its focal point. The grounds include open lawns, tree-lined paths, and views of the Rocky Mountains from various locations throughout.
The grounds served as Prospect Hill Cemetery from 1858 until Congress authorized its conversion to public recreation space in 1890. This shift marked the start of the park's life as a community gathering place in central Denver.
The park holds deep meaning for Denver's LGBTQ community, hosting annual Pride celebrations and AIDS Walk Colorado events throughout the year. People from across the city gather here to celebrate together and show solidarity.
The park is open daily from 5 AM to 11 PM and includes picnic areas, playgrounds, restrooms, and marked biking paths for visitors. The quieter morning and late afternoon hours provide a more relaxed experience if you prefer fewer crowds.
Construction projects in the park have uncovered human remains from approximately 5,000 unclaimed bodies left when the cemetery was repurposed. These discoveries serve as a sobering reminder of the land's complex past beneath today's recreational setting.
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