Alamo Placita Park

Historic Origins

Established in 1911, Alamo Placita Park covers 4.6 acres of land and is situated north of Speer Boulevard, between Ogden and Emerson Streets. The park serves as the namesake for the surrounding Alamo Placita neighborhood.

Originally part of Arlington Park, a private amusement park that operated in the late 19th century, the land was acquired by the City of Denver in 1912 after a series of fires and changes in ownership.

Distinctive Design

The park's design was created by renowned landscape architect Saco Reink DeBoer in 1927, featuring a distinctive layout that combines formal and recreational elements. The southern section of the park, visible from Speer Boulevard, showcases a sunken Italianate flower garden accessed by sandstone steps.

This area is known for its symmetrical parterres of annual and perennial flower beds, which radiate from a central juniper mass.

Recreational Features

Alamo Placita Park is bisected by East 3rd Avenue, with the northern section offering more recreational facilities. This area includes basketball courts, a playground, and open lawn spaces surrounded by a variety of trees, including flowering shrubs, maple, pine, and spruce.

The park also features a paved plaza with benches and a sundial, encircled by a grove of cottonwood trees, paying homage to the park's name, which translates to "Little Place of Cottonwoods".

Historical Significance

Today, Alamo Placita Park is recognized for its historical significance and is a contributing feature of the Denver Park and Parkway System, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.