More than 4 acres of new riverfront parks, plazas and green space are set to open this week at Denargo Market in Denver’s RiNo Art District.
Located along the South Platte River, the new public space will include a nature-inspired playground, a dog park, sport courts, fire pit, pop-jet fountain, a half-acre green lawn and improved pedestrian and bike paths connecting to downtown.
At the heart of the space will stand Rhingo, a 30-foot-tall, climbable steel rhino sculpture at the corner of 29th Street and Arkins Court, named by the community earlier this summer.
“Delivering this public realm first reflects our commitment to creating spaces that connect people to the riverfront and to each other, in a pocket of the city that has historically lacked open and green space,” said Laura Newman, vice president of investment and development at Golub & Co.
“We’re thrilled to open these parks and plazas for everyone to enjoy and can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by filling them with music, food and community.”
A community block party will take place from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 to celebrate the opening, with live music from Denver rock bands Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille, Velvet Daydream and Something Vinyl Club.
The event, 3380 Denargo St., will also include a market of local artists and makers, food trucks and pop-up bars benefiting Denver Urban Gardens, which will soon debut a new community garden at Denargo Market.
For much of the 20th century, this site was home to Denver’s largest food market, housing more than 500 grower stands, according to the project’s website.
However, in July 1971, a four-alarm fire destroyed the market, and the site became largely industrial or vacant until redevelopment efforts began in 2023.
“This is exactly the kind of moment we envisioned when we set out to build Denargo Market’s public realm,” said Sean Campbell, CEO of FORMATIV, which partnered with Golub & Co. on the development.
Denargo Market will cover 17 acres and add 3 million square feet of development, including residential, retail, office and hospitality spaces, public art and more.
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