Denver closes two parks to deter drug dealing, crime

On Monday afternoon, several people who appeared to be homeless loitered under the trees and in front of fences that closed off most of La Alma Park, one of Denver’s largest public spaces in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

The city installed the fences to deter what officials described as increased levels of drug dealing and violence in the area.

If anyone trespasses, people will be prosecuted, dozens of signs posted on the fences warned.

On the same day early last week, the city also fenced off Sonny Lawson Park, which is located at Welton Street and Park Avenue in north Denver.

Huge sections of both parks are closed for at least 30 days, Denver Parks & Recreation spokesperson Stephanie Figueroa told The Denver Gazette in an email on Monday.

“DPR attempted other interventions before deciding on the closures, but the problem persisted,” Figueroa said.

She said the department made the decision “due to the increase in drug sales, violent incidents and vandalism.”

Some people at La Alma, located at 13th Avenue and Mariposa Street, could be seen sitting or sleeping right next to the fences.

Signs posted on the fencing read: "No stopping or standing."

Other signs said: "This area is closed to all entry."

Fences primarily blocked off the green spaces mostly covered by trees.

Despite the fences, normal scheduled events, such as recreation softball or baseball games, can still be held at any of the two parks, according to Figueroa.

When asked about increased levels of crime at the two public parks, a Denver Police Department spokesperson said the agency has increased patrols and enforcement at both of those areas.

“There had been an increase in community complaints in those areas in relation to illegal drug use, assaults and disturbances,” the police spokesperson said. “DPD increased patrols and enforcement in those parks in response to those complaints from the community.”

In a statement, representatives of the La Alma-Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association said the group has seen a "rise in received complaints about the conditions in the park." The group's president, Nolan Hahn, expressed "disappointment in the steps parks and public safety officials took in response to the concerns raised."

In the last seven days, police arrested two suspects on drug-related charges, with a reported two cases of robbery and one act of larceny near La Alma Park, according to the Denver Police Crime database.

The Sonny Lawson Park area witnessed two other drug-related charges, plus a larceny case, in the past seven days, the database also showed.

Sonny Lawson’s playground and dog park will remain open, according to Figueroa.

Meanwhile, La Alma Park's playground, the all-dirt baseball field and the large open space with picnic tables along Mariposa Street will also remain open.

Several sections of Denver have been grappling with open-air drug use and drug dealing.

This isn’t the first time the city closed a large city park to try and deter crime.

Most recently, Denver officials also closed Civic Center Park, which is located outside the Denver City and County Building, on and off between 2021 and 2022, with little, limited or no access to the park until 2023.

“This allowed DPR to ensure the park was safe once we totally reopened the area,” Figueroa said. “As you walk the park today, you can witness firsthand how successful that closure and reopening was. The park is in amazing shape and is welcoming to all who want to visit this public space.”

In an interview in 2021, Denver Parks and Recreation Deputy Executive Director Scott Gilmore, who grew up in the city and was married at the Denver courthouse across the street, said the decline of Civic Center Park had been personal.

“Homeless people sitting in the park is not bad, but when you walk by somebody and they have a needle in their arm or they’re sniffing fentanyl off of tin foil, that is not OK!” he said.

Gilmore, in fact, was assaulted by a stranger in a Denver park on the very day he was set to show off a new beginning for the Civic Center Park.

A parks worker had found needles in a neighboring and park called Gilmore to check it out.

“I was assaulted in one of my own parks. A man struck me with a stick!” said Gilmore, who followed the alleged attacker and had him arrested. “I’m the head of the parks department. If I go into a park and I can’t feel safe, that means I’ve got work to do.”

The two recently closed parks will open “when appropriate and safe,” Figueroa said. "Denver Park Rangers will make contact to enforce park rules and regulations. Denver Park Rangers strive to gain compliance with park rules and regulations and will issue park citations as needed.”

In a statement, Mayor Mike Johnston's office told The Denver Gazette on Monday that his administration's first priority is to ensure every Denver resident is "safe in their community."

"The city will work closely with neighbors, DPD, and Council to address concerns and needs while prioritizing public safety. We look forward to reopening the parks soon,” the mayor's office said.