Sun Valley’s big new park is finally happening

The Denver Housing Authority recently poured hundreds of millions of dollars into a project to replace Sun Valley’s old public housing with new affordable apartment complexes. But when residents returned, they found little new green space. Plans for a riverfront park in Sun Valley go back as far as 2017, when voters approved $2 million for it as part of the Elevate Denver bond package. But despite projections that the park would be finished in 2024, the project has continually been delayed. Finally, on Wednesday, city officials broke ground on Sun Valley Riverfront Park and promised neighbors part of it would open in 2027. “It took a long time to get to this point, and I am thrilled that we are here to begin this park construction,” said Jamie Torres, the Denver City Council member who represents the neighborhood. “These residents are coming back and they need somewhere to play.” Denver City Council member Jamie Torres speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for Sun Val