Neighborhood board OKs “Stapleton” name change to Central Park

The decision puts in motion a final legal step.

Central Park, formerly Stapleton, on Aug. 29, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Central Park, formerly Stapleton, on Aug. 29, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

staff photo

Don’t call it “Stapleton” anymore. The northeast Denver neighborhood is now officially Central Park.

The executive board responsible for neighborhood operations on Wednesday unanimously approved changing the neighborhood’s name to Central Park, weeks after residents there voted for the new name.

The vote means the Master Community Association has given its blessing for the new name. It will now ask the neighborhood’s developer, Brookfield Properties Development, to officially change the name to Central Park. Brookfield has said it would support the name change.

Brookfield and the MCA have taken down signs with the previous neighborhood’s name, though they’re asking people to reach out if they see any signs in public spaces. MCA Executive Director Keven Burnett said they will continue making other appropriate changes in the neighborhood to reflect the new name, like changing the official website address and social media handles.

Brian Fennelly, who’s on the board of directors and represents Brookfield, said he would try to get a letter signed by the company approving the name as soon as possible this week.

The name change was spurred by local and national demonstrations against racism and police violence following the death of George Floyd. The neighborhood got its previous name from former Denver Mayor Benjamin Stapleton, who was a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

The new name is already visible in Denver’s online neighborhood map.

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