History

In 1860, Henry and William Lee homesteaded what is now Crown Hill Park. They raised produce for the mining camps and planted the first apple orchard in the area. They founded the Agricultural Ditch Company, then sold the land to the Crown Hill Association 1907.

The history of the park and cemetery are one. The park land on the West of the property was purchased by Crown Hill in 1908 from the Union Pacific Railroad. The “Olinger” Crown Hill Association then opened the cemetery on the East portion of the property. In 1972 the West Aspen Company of Texas proposed a high-rise residential and commercial development at the site. This proposal triggered concern from the community regarding preservation of the lake and the surrounding open space.

Jefferson County Open Space, working with the cities of Lakewood and Wheat Ridge, was then able to acquire the 242 acre preserve now known as Crown Hill Park and Kestrel Pond National Urban Wildlife Refuge from the Crown Hill Association.