In 1890, legislation was passed authorizing the conversion of the cemetery into a park. The removal and relocation of the existing graves was not without controversy and the process extended over many years. The principal park was named Congress Park in honor of the Act of Congress that created the park. This land included today’s Congress Park and Cheesman Park neighborhoods. The original and larger park was named Congress Park, but was renamed Cheesman Park in 1907 in honor of a $100,000-donation by the Cheesman family to build a pavilion in the park.      

Reinhard Schuetze, the city’s landscape architect, began a city nursery in 1903 to provide landscaping stock for the city parks. When Congress Park was renamed Cheesman Park, the city nursery area became the new Congress Park. As a result, today’s Congress Park is smaller than many of the city's other parks. Still, the park includes an outdoor swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, soccer fields, a baseball diamond, a playground, and picnic areas.   

The first residential subdivision plat was recorded for Congress Park in 1887. The park and recreational facilities stimulating housing development and by 1909, many of the streets were improved and a good number of homes were built. By1930, most of Congress Park was developed with Victorians, Queen Anne’s, Denver Squares, Bungalows, and 1930s-era elegant apartment buildings. A few larger mansions can be found along 7th Avenue. Since the 1940s, a few Art Deco apartment and 1960s mid-rise condominium buildings have been built.  

The appeal of the Congress Park neighborhood is its location. Close to Downtown, yet tree-lined streets speak of turn-of-the-century charm. On the western border you will find the Denver Botanic Gardens. The Gardens are open year around and an outdoor summer concert series is sure to delight.