Cheesman Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of Denver’s historic park and parkway system. It was designed in 1898 by Denver’s landscape architect Reinhard Schuetze and constructed between 1900 and 1910. However, the park site has served a civic function from Denver’s earliest days as the City’s first cemetery. Initially called Congress Park following its dedication as parkland by an 1892 act of the United States Congress, this public ground was renamed Cheesman Park by Denver City Council in 1907 to commemorate the $100,000 donation from the Walter Cheesman family for construction of the Cheesman Memorial.
Data Collection Process
Throughout the spring and summer of 2006, data about Cheesman Park was gathered through the following four methods:
- Historic Landscape Assessment
Existing historical accounts of the park as well as original plans and park records were examined in order to document the historical development and changes that have occurred in Cheesman Park since its construction over a hundred years ago. Historic research occurred throughout the summer to further refine the historic assessment of Cheesman Park. The Cheesman Esplanade, affectionately known as ‘Little Cheesman’, was also included in this project.
- User Intercept Survey
A web-based, statistically significant park user intercept survey was conducted to assess park visitation and user preferences.
- Transportation Activity Plan
A comprehensive overview of transportation issues in Cheesman Park was completed. Data on vehicular traffic counts, traffic speeds, parking availability and utilization, RTD service as well as bicycle and pedestrian movement was collected and evaluated.
- Assessment of Existing Park Conditions
The consultant team made additional visits to Cheesman Park for recording and evaluating existing park conditions.
Public Process:
The following four public meetings were scheduled to provide public information and receive citizen comments at key stages of the planning process:
- A Project Kickoff was held on April 13, 2006 at the Tears McFarlane House Annex after a re-dedication ceremony at the reconstructed Cheesman Park Rustic Shelter.
- Public Meeting #1 occurred on the evening of June 8, 2006 at Mitchell Hall, Denver Botanic Gardens and focused on Cheesman Park’s historic legacy, the historic landscape assessment process and project’s schedule.
- The consultants reviewed the results of the summer’s data collection tasks and solicited public input on park issues and master plan alternatives during Public Meeting #2 held on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 in Denver Botanic Garden’s Mitchell Hall .
- A draft of the Cheesman Park Master Plan was presented on Tuesday, December 8, 2006 at Public Meeting #3 held in Gates Hall at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
This project was made possible through a grant from the State Historical Fund, a program of the Colorado Historical Society.