This 18-hole regulation golf course dates from 1913 and exemplifies early municipal course design in landscaping and layout of its tight
fairways. In addition to its 1.5 acre lake, this public course located directly across 23rd Avenue from both Denver’s Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science has a new
clubhouse, new irrigation system, and
new tee boxes. At roughly 40 square city blocks immediately adjacent to Denver’s largest park, this course
illustrates our city’s early commitment to preserving valuable central urban real estate as open spaces for public recreation, and because of its prime location offers golfers unrivaled views of the downtown skyline against its backdrop of mountains. City Park Golf Course, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 as part of Denver’s Park and Parkway System, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2013! City Park Golf Course, located directly north of City Park, is one of the oldest municipal golf
courses in Denver. The idea of a golf course in North City Park was proposed in 1899. The 136-acre course designed by Landscape Architect Thomas Bendelow was built in 1912 and opened on September 6, 1913. Most of the golf course was built on land donated to the city by the City Park Dairy Farm, with another 50 acres rented from the state until a land swap decades later formalized the property transfer to the City of Denver. The original Pueblo Revival clubhouse, which was designed by Frederick Ameter and built in 1918, was furnished with mission furniture that was manufactured at the City Park Shops. The clubhouse was enlarged in 1923 to
accommodate more players. The existing City Park Golf Course Clubhouse, constructed in
2001, was designed by Pahl-Pahl-Pahl Architects (now Pahl Architecture) in Spanish
Mediterranean stucco reminiscent of the original clubhouse style. Housing the popular restaurant Bogey’s On the Park, the new clubhouse has an expansive view of the golf course and an outdoor patio. From its early days, City Park Golf Course attracted middle-class players at a time when most courses served only the social elite. The golf course is also significant for its tradition of ethnic diversity, particularly during the 1940's - 1960's when the course hosted several ethnically diverse golf associations. This 18-hole regulation Denver golf course is located in a beautiful urban setting with fantastic views of downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains. Clusters of trees line various fairways and frame views of the skyline. Small sloping greens, unique bunkering, and tight fairways make City Park Golf Course deceivingly difficult. City Park Golf Course is also the home to The First Tee of Denver Program, which teaches young people life skills and character education through the game of golf.
