Lawrence Halprin's Skyline Park

Skyline Park is the first book in our new Masterworks of Modern Landscape series. Designed by acclaimed landscape designer Lawrence Halprin in the 1970s, the park was part of an effort for urban renewal in downtown Denver and became a signature landmark of the city after its construction, attracting local residents, businesses, workers, and visitors alike. Skyline Park exemplifies Halprin's unique vision of the importance of a city's "livability" within the urban context, offering an oasis from the surrounding streets and businesses while still remaining a part of the city's vibrant downtown area. Drawing on Denver's natural surroundings for inspiration, Halprin captured Colorado's rugged beauty in his design. This monograph documents the history of the park's conception, construction, and use in the time before its complete redesign in 2003, which essentially destroyed Halprin's original work.

Modern Landscape: Transition and Transformation is new series produced with The Cultural Landscape Foundation that focuses on important midcentury works that have undergone significant change. Each publication in this series chronicles the planning and design motivations behind the work, illuminates its history, places it within its historical design context, and, perhaps most importantly, draws attention to midcentury landscape treasures while raising awareness of their unique design value, inherent vulnerability, and historic preservation needs. Ann Komara is associate professor and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Colorado Denver. A licensed landscape architect, she also maintains a small consulting practice in Denver. Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR, is the founder and president of The Cultural Landscape Foundation in Washington, DC.