Central Park
Denver, CO

Denver’s New Urbanism Success Story

Central Park — known for most of its history as Stapleton, and still widely called that by longtime residents — is built on the 7.5-square-mile former site of Stapleton International Airport, which served Denver from 1929 until Denver International Airport opened in 1995. The neighborhood is the largest residential community within the city of Denver, home to more than 30,000 residents, and one of the most celebrated examples of new urbanism and urban redevelopment in the United States.

Planning for the redevelopment began immediately after the airport’s closure. A group of Denver civic leaders formed the Stapleton Development Foundation in 1990 and completed a master plan by 1995 that was explicitly designed to avoid the mistakes of car-dependent suburban development. The plan called for walkable streets, front porches rather than garage-forward facades, alley-loaded garages, a mix of housing types within the same blocks, abundant parks and trails, neighborhood schools within walking distance, and transit connections to downtown. Nearly a third of the airport site was reserved as public park space.

The community voted in 2020 to rename the neighborhood from Stapleton to Central Park — a decision that reflects both the neighborhood’s central 80-acre park and its desire to move forward from the legacy of the name’s origins. The neighborhood now comprises 12 named sub-neighborhoods, each with its own character: Beeler Park, Bluff Lake, Conservatory Green, Eastbridge, Central Park North and West, South End, Westerly Creek, and others. This sub-neighborhood identity is a distinctive feature of the community — residents tend to identify strongly with their specific section rather than Central Park as a whole.

RTD A-Line, DIA, and Downtown

Central Park’s transit connection is genuinely exceptional for a Denver residential neighborhood. The RTD A Line commuter rail runs directly through the neighborhood with a station at Central Park Boulevard, connecting residents to Union Station in downtown Denver in approximately 20 minutes and to Denver International Airport in approximately 25 minutes. This makes Central Park one of the few Denver neighborhoods where airport travel is both easy and car-free.

Interstate 70 forms the northern spine of the neighborhood, providing quick access to Denver International Airport, the ski resorts to the west, and the broader metro area. The neighborhood’s grid of internal streets is designed for cycling and walking — 38+ miles of trails connect the sub-neighborhoods to each other, to parks, and to the Stanley Marketplace. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge borders the neighborhood to the north, providing a dramatic natural buffer and recreation space.

50 Parks, 7 Pools, and the Arsenal

• Central Park — 80 acres (namesake park)
• 50 parks across the neighborhood
• 7 swimming pools
• 38+ miles of trails
• Bluff Lake Nature Center
• Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
• Westerly Creek open space corridor
• Multiple outdoor amphitheaters
• Public community gardens
• Sand volleyball, ping-pong, climbing structures
• Central Park Rec Center (City of Denver)
• Weekly farmers market (summer)

Education in Central Park

Central Park has built a reputation as one of Denver’s best neighborhoods for families with school-age children. The master plan specifically called for school sites within walking distance throughout the community, and the result is a network of highly regarded DPS schools. The neighborhood is served by both traditional DPS schools and several high-performing charter options.

School boundaries and enrollment options change — always verify with Denver Public Schools before purchasing.

Where Central Park Eats

Central Park’s dining scene is anchored by two major commercial hubs: the Eastbridge Town Center (around East 29th Avenue) and the Stanley Marketplace — a massive adaptive reuse of the former Stanley Aviation building that has become one of Denver’s premier food and retail destinations. The neighborhood has matured considerably in terms of dining options since its early development days.

Living in Central Park

Central Park’s master-planned design means residents have an unusual density of community amenities within walking or cycling distance. The neighborhood actively cultivates a community culture — front porches, pocket parks, farmers markets, summer concerts, and neighborhood events are intentional features of the design, not afterthoughts.