Burns Garden, originally designed by Reinhard Schuetze in 1896, consists of a small formal flower garden surrounded by evergreen and deciduous trees. Three cannons, dedicated in 1897, began a long-standing tradition of commemorating events and people through monumentation and sculpture placed strategically within City Park. In 1904 a bronze statue of Robert Burns, a Scottish poet, was placed in the center of the garden. The Burns Statue and Flower Garden is located just northwest of the City Park Pavilion.
Thatcher Fountain
The Thatcher Fountain was designed as one of the main entries into City Park. It was a gift of Joseph Addison Thatcher, a pioneer banker, to the people of Denver. It was created by sculptor Lorado Taft and architect J.R.M. Morison at a cost of $100,000, and was presented on September 14, 1918. The entire fountain is 34 ft. high, with a central 18 ft. high bronze female figure holding a sword and a shield. The base is made of granite. Three blocks on the edges of the pool have small groups of bronze figures representing “love, loyalty and learning.” Water cascades between the blocks from an upper pool into the lower basins to the lowest round pool. The site does not function as a park entry as originally intended, due to existing visual and physical barriers.
City Park Pavilion
The City Park Pavilion, designed by John Humphreys and William Fisher, was completed in 1882.
The original structure was replaced in 1929 and refurbished in 1992. Surrounded by Sopris Garden, Ferril Lake, and historic band shell, the Pavilion offers many photo opportunities. The Spanish style landmark features towers and arches and is nestled in front of the Denver skyline. City Park Pavilion is on the US National Register of Historic Places and Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. Only one event is permitted per day.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue
The first statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Emmett Till was done by sculptor Ed Rose and installed in City Park in 1976. That statue found a new home in Pueblo and a new statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Ed Dwight was installed in 2002. The statue also features depictions of Frederick Douglas, Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and Sojourner Truth. The statue is surrounded by beautiful flowers during the Summer.
Source:
Mundus Bishop Design, Inc. “Revitalizing the Legacy of City Park“, City and County of Denver Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Sept. 2001. Denvergov.org.