Vanover Park is adjacent to Clear Creek, the Clear Creek Trail and is just a few minutes walk from Golden's downtown.

 

A fundamental objective of the design was to provide a public space that was easiliy accessible to the Creek, as the design evolved the Park would connect the Citizen's to their past as well.

 

When the City acquired the site it included several small wood frame residential structures, overgrown vegetation and a large Cottonwood.

 

Through extensive neighborhood meetings, a program and design were developed.  It was this process that revealed a tale of historic lore that gave the park its name and centerpiece.  Obscured by the residential sructures the full size and character of a single magnificant Cottonwood tree was uncovered.  

 

Residents knew of a story regarding its use as a hanging tree.   Whether true or not, the tale gave the design and this park an historical dimension that further informed the design.

 

The simplicity of the design defers to the natural and the historic character of the site.  The Creek, the regional trail and the tree create a place that functions as a platform for City celebrations,  access to the Creek, a quiet place for a picnic lunch or spining a tale in the shade of the Cottonwood tree.