Denver Parks proposes $211 million 2027 budget to maintain services
The proposal would keep recreation-center hours and park-maintenance levels steady, fund preparations for Westwood Recreation Center’s expected summer 2027 opening and convert 40 acres of turf next year.
Denver Parks and Recreation proposed a $211 million budget for 2027 at a Sept. 24 City Council hearing, saying it would maintain current recreation-center hours and park-maintenance levels despite rising employee benefit and minimum-wage costs.
To manage those higher costs without broader service reductions, the department proposed an additional 2.66% in vacancy savings. Parks Director Jolon Clark said managers would review vacancies individually and, when appropriate, delay filling a position by 10, 20 or 30 days. Managers would prioritize filling positions whose vacancies could disrupt operations, she said.
The proposal includes about $1 million to begin operating Westwood Recreation Center, which Parks officials expect to open in summer 2027. Deputy Executive Director John Martinez said operating costs would rise to about $1.3 million in 2028, when the center is budgeted for a full year.
Parks is implementing 40 acres of turf conversion in 2026 and plans to convert 40 more acres in 2027, toward a goal of 230 acres by 2030. Officials said they assess how people use park spaces, including for informal play and picnicking, before choosing areas for conversion, which is intended to conserve water. Clark said landscape changes and irrigation controls helped the department meet Denver Water’s monthly 20% water-reduction targets during the current drought.
The department also highlighted more than $14.5 million in climate-resilience-related work in its proposed budget, including landscape changes, water conservation, tree planting and canopy preservation. It cited nearly $2.5 million for bridge repair and replacement. The figure covers Parks’ proposal; the Mayor’s 2027 proposed budget lists Parks and the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency as separate agencies. The climate office presented its budget separately to Council.
City Council has not adopted the 2027 budget. The hearing was for presentation and discussion, not a vote; Council can review and revise the Mayor’s proposal before adoption.