Starting off my review of Hirshorn Park, I would like to say for the umpteenth time, "When I review…read moresmall parks, they are rated in the category of small neighborhood and community parks." In this category I look at safety, the scale of graffiti and vandalism with the condition of the park. I also look at amenities. I review them in a different perspective than regional parks or urban spaces such as Commons Park, Skyline Park, and Civic Center Park. I have said this quite a few times in my Southern Nevada park reviews; however now after crossing over the Rocky Mountains into Colorado, this is my first time saying this in Denver.
Hirshorn is the quintessential neighborhood park in a major city (in 2020 the population for Denver was 715,522). It is in the very spot where the tourists (my brother and I) are leaving downtown for the local Highlands community. It is at the north westernmost point of 16th Street on the crest of the hill where it changes into Tejon Street.
My brother and I love walking. We had that opportunity when we flew into Denver hours before my dad arrived. This gave us the opportunity to partake in an extended walk from 15th at Welton Streets by the Convention Center, all the way south along the 16th Street corridor which included three bridges and Commons Park. When we reached the curve on the crest of the hill overlooking downtown Denver, where 16th Street changes into Tojan Street, Hirshorn Park made the perfect spot to turn around.
Our experience was one of where my brother and I were the few tourists that shared a community space with the majority who were local Denverites. Walking into the park from Tojan Street I saw parents sharing time with their children in the state of the art playground that includes spring cars and see-saws. When we walked deeper into the park by the basketball court and baseball diamond, we saw pet parents sharing time on the walkway and open grass with their fur babies. It was close to the baseball diamond where there is the ammenity of a "view plane. In urban planning terminology, a " view plane" is a spot that provides a protected unobstructed view of a skyline, mountain range, or scenic landmark. Situated on a hill, this park offers a "view plane" protection by the baseball diamond. From this spot, there is an unobstructed view towards downtown. My brother and I would soon spend time in a similar view when we walked back down the 16th Street hill towards downtown.
On the afternoon of Saturday, June 25, 2022, the park seemed to be safe. I spotted zero instances of graffiti and vandalism. This gave me the perception that the community cares about their park and that we were in a safe environment. My one complaint was that the grass had a plentitude of brown spots. In my opinion golf course green grass would have added to the park scenery.
As a local park designed for locals instead of tourists like your's truly, I rate Hirshorn Park four stars. From the perspective of a tourist walking from the Convention Center or Civic Center Park to the northwestern-most reaches at the end of 16th Street, these four stars are represented in a park that serves as a serene spot to relax while turning around to walk back towards the downtown skyline below.
