Denver's Washington Park looks back at more peaceful times

Washington Park is the focus of a major brewhaha right now. Last week Denver City Councilman Chris Nevitt, who represents the area, sent a letter to the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation asking for a six-month alcohol ban at the park due to abuse and "bad behavior." The only...

By Westword Staff

April 11, 2014

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Washington Park is the focus of a major brewhaha right now. Last week Denver City Councilman Chris Nevitt, who represents the area, sent a letter to the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation asking for a six-month alcohol ban at the park due to abuse and "bad behavior." The only alcohol actually allowed at the park is 3.2 beer, so you need to swill a lot before you really reach the bad-behavior level - but even so, the controversy shows no signs of drying up. After a packed public meeting on Wednesday, Denver Department of Parks and Recreation director Laurie Dannemiller should issue a decision on the proposal next week

For a look at a time when the park was a much less rancorous spot, pick up a copy of Denver's Washington Park, the newest addition to Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series.

Author Sarah McCarthy is a thirty-year resident of the neighborhood; she's collected photographs that show how the park served as a model for new urbanism and continues to be a modern example of the City Beautiful Movement.

McCarthy will be at the Barnes & Noble at 960 South Colorado Boulevard at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, to sign copies of Denver's Washington Park.

We'll drink to that! But with 3.2 beer only, please.

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