The Silver Crash of 1893 led to economic hard times and forced South Denver to annex to Denver. Reinhard Schuetze, appointed in1893 as Denver's landscape architect, worked on the design and oversaw the construction of Washington Park beginning in 1899 through 1908. Many of Schuetze’s design elements remain intact today – Smith and Grasmere lakes, the Lily Pond, the Russian-willow lined city ditch, and the “carriage-ways” that wind through the park.

Denver poet Eugene Field lived in the neighborhood beginning in 1881. His cottage was restored and moved to the eastside of the park and is occupied by the non-profit Park People. A statue of “Wynken, Blynken & Nod” from his poem “Dutch Lullaby” was erected near Field’s cottage.

Stimulated by the development of Washington Park, many brick houses were built in the neighborhood between 1900 and 1940. A drive through the tree-lined streets of the Wash Park neighborhood will be greeted with set-back Craftsman bungalows, Tudors, Victorians, newly constructed modern houses, “pop-top” expanded homes, rehabbed / renovated / reconditioned / rebuilt existing houses, and wonderfully-designed new condos & townhomes, each within walking distance of the park.

The park is what this neighborhood is all about. At 162-acres, Washington Park is the largest conventional park in Denver. What will you find at the park? Two-lakes, ball-playing fields, a 2.8-mile jogging trail, paved bike path, flower gardens, volleyball, summer concerts, lawn bowling, picnic areas, recreation center, fishing, sailing, bocce, tennis, historic pavilion, boat house with paddle boats for rent, and Frisbee enthusiasts. After all of this, you will need a relaxing nap under the canopy of a 100-year-old tree.

A few blocks east of the park, is the old-town South Gaylord “main” Street business district. Here you will find boutique restaurants, shopping, coffee houses, ice cream cafes, an apothecary, and an occasional street festival. Need more entertainment and shopping? The Cherry Creek shopping and dining mega-area is a few blocks further east. Hop on the light rail at the intersection of Louisiana and Pearl in neighboring Platt Park and you will be in LoDo / Downtown Denver in a short time for even options or work.