THE BATTLE FOR PARK HILL

Directors Statement

As a filmmaker, I am drawn to stories that reveal the intersections of history, politics, and community identity. The Park Hill Golf Course debate is more than a local land-use issue—it is a microcosm of the broader housing crisis affecting cities nationwide. My personal connection to urban planning, through my grandmother’s pioneering work in Colorado, informs my approach to this film. I see this documentary as an opportunity to critically examine how communities navigate the tension between preservation and progress, and how well-intentioned policies can sometimes deepen economic and racial divides. Through intimate interviews and immersive cinematography, this film will explore what is truly at stake for Denver’s residents.

Synopsis

The Park Hill Golf Course in Denver has become the battleground for one of the city’s most contentious debates: Should the land remain open space, or be developed into much-needed housing? Park Hill: A Community at a Crossroadsfollows the activists, city planners, and residents who are shaping the future of this historic site. With perspectives from long-time Black community leaders, housing advocates, and urban policy experts, the documentary unpacks the complex history of racial segregation, environmental justice, and economic inequity that underlies the debate. As cities across the country face worsening housing shortages, this story resonates far beyond Denver.

For decades, the 155-acre Park Hill Golf Course has been protected by a conservation easement, restricting development. However, as Denver grapples with soaring housing costs and displacement, city officials and developers argue that the land could be a solution to the crisis. In contrast, community activists fear that breaking the easement will set a dangerous precedent, prioritizing profits over public interest.

Key issues explored in the film:

• Housing Crisis: Denver’s rising rents and home prices have displaced long-time residents, disproportionately affecting communities of color.

• Gentrification & Displacement: The historically Black neighborhood of Park Hill has faced waves of gentrification, raising concerns about who benefits from new developments.

• Urban Planning & Policy: The history of the conservation easement, its legal standing, and how it reflects broader trends in urban land use decisions.

• Environmental Impact: The role of open green spaces in urban planning and how cities balance ecological sustainability with housing needs.

Through archival research, expert interviews, and on-the-ground reporting, Park Hill: A Community at a Crossroadsseeks to illuminate the past, present, and future of one of Denver’s most pivotal land-use decisions.