Grow Together

Cultivating Wellness, Community, and Connection

Providing a regenerative sanctuary for holistic learning & nourishment in Northfield Central Park of Denver, CO.

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The Northfield Central Park Opportunity

Project Context & Location

An undeveloped open plot of land just off the Bison Passage, currently owned by the Denver Public Schools (DPS) system.

With no plans to build a school or offer more traditional uses, like pools or parks, on the property, we decided to explore something new.

We believe this space is ready for a vision that fosters neighborhood wellness and connection for all generations.

From undeveloped land to community legacy…

A New Vision

What is Grow Together?

Grow Together is a community-centric third space that prioritizes nature, connection, movement, and nutrition.

Our idea transforms this empty plot into a Wellness Community Garden experience supported through food, art, and holistic learning.

A destination for all ages and abilitiesto reconnect with the soil and their roots.

SAY NO MORE, I'M IN
SAY NO MORE, I'M IN

Spatial Strategy: Site Master Plan

Proposed Land Allocation*

50% = Raised Beds

  • Food production & pollinator habitats

25% = Greenhouse

  • Year-round growth, preservation, kitchen & storage

25% = Social Lawn

  • Cafe & community gathering area for workshops, classes, events

A balanced ecosystem of production, education, and social interaction designed for the Central Park community.

* Percentages subject to change based on final project plans.

50% Raised Beds

Edible Bounties

Dedicated to regenerative, organic food, herbs, and pollinator plants to support Central Park’s green network and produce healthier options for the community.

Planted with smart farming practices for optimal water usage and seasonality.

365 Farm Stand

Options to purchase fresh or preserved produce from the on-site stand offers additional retail revenue opportunities – think a year-round farmers market.

Potential wholesale partnerships with other local farms to sell their products (meat, dairy, eggs) not produced on site.

Expert Guidance

Learn to grow yourself OR opt for professional gardeners to maintain your beds for a stress-free harvest for a nominal fee.

No more unattended, unproductive community gardens!

25% Greenhouse

Year-Round Resilience

25% of the space is dedicated to an architectural greenhouse that supports year-round gardening and climate-controlled cultivation.

Equal parts functional and beautiful.

Greenhouse gardening can include vertical hydroponics/aquaponics,  solar power, and modern farming practices to maintain sustainability in every way.

Integrates a communal kitchen space for food preservation as well as storage for the farm stand and equipment.

Potential space for master chef dinner parties, intimate farm-to-table events, and photography backdrops as additional revenue opportunities.

25% Social Lawn & Cafe

Gather, Connect, Learn

A groomed lawn featuring a cafe for food and beverage operations.

Equipped with tables, string lights, and an open space for events and movement classes like yoga or tai chi, morning conversations, sunset happy hours, silent discos, local musicians, and movie nights.

Plans could include a coffee cart, a standalone cafe with a creators’ corner, or rotating food trucks from local small businesses.

This is the hearth of the space and offers a quiet, but sociable opportunity to connect face to face.

I LOVE IT - LET'S DO THIS

Nature-Based Learning

“We can find Nature outside us only if we have first learned to know her within us. What is akin to her within us must be our guide. This marks out our path of enquiry.””
— Rudolf Steiner

Intentional, Holistic Education

Weekly classes engage the Denver community by prioritizing rhythm, imagination, and real-life interaction.

Teachers and families are encouraged to disconnect from technology and reconnect with "roots" through touching soil and observing seasonal growth cycles.

Continuing education with Denver Public Schools includes:

  • Hiring DPS staff to lead alternative teaching styles, especially during summer months.

  • Field trips, classroom involvement, volunteering.

Additional research opportunities through universities (CSU), healthcare, and future residential or urban planning organizations.

Sustainable Ethos

  • Water Wisdom

    Water Wisdom

    Regenerative irrigation and native pollinator support to minimize resource extraction are especially important in the Denver arid climate.

  • 100% Toxin-Free

    Zero toxins or harmful chemical exposure to protect the neighborhood's health and surrounding wildlife for generations to come.

  • Neighbor-First

    Operating from sunrise to Sunset with strict noise ordinance compliance to avoid disruption to the quiet community.

  • Open Access

    Open Access

    Primarily serving Central Park, with public access available (potentially via a small operational fee), similar to MCA pools.

Exploring Strategic Partnerships

Leveraging Local Expertise

Grow Together connects with Colorado's leading agricultural nonprofits and experts to implement climate-specific best practices and regenerative systems.

By partnering with established CO entities, we ensure:

  • Resource sharing for soil health, seedling propagation, and organic pest management optimized for Denver's semi-arid climate.

  • Community engagement pathways through top nonprofit networks.

  • Additional research opportunities for schools, healthcare, and future communities.

  • F&B licensing or mini footprints from existing local cafes with streamlined operations & sourcing.

Why Now?

“As of 2026, Central Park has a median age of 30, and a high concentration of young families, with about 46% of households having children.

Our young, tech-forward demographic is seeking a landscape that prioritizes the tangible over the virtual for the entire family.”
— Claire Crookston, Founder of Grow Together

Gen-Z and Millennials are leading a cultural shift toward "Third Spaces"—physical environments that facilitate genuine human connection and a necessary detox from digital fatigue.

The Evidence:

  • Recent studies link increased soil contact with the release of serotonin, acting as a natural antidepressant.

  • 90% of Gen-Z report feeling "overwhelmed" by technology, citing gardening as top-tier stress relief.

  • Tactile experiences are proven to reduce cortisol levels 3x faster than digital entertainment.

  • Garden-based learning improves science scores by 12-15% for younger students.

  • Community gardens increase fruit and vegetable intake among youth by up to 40%.

Low-Risk, High-Impact

A Cost-Effective, Flexible Third Space

A community garden provides both the MCA and DPS a streamlined, low-liability path to creating a shared community asset without the massive capital expenditure or regulatory hurdles of housing or aquatic facilities.

Minimal Risk Profile

  • Very low structural impact; no major infrastructure or disruption.

  • Operational year-round with seasonal opportunities for DPS schedules.

  • Greater flexibility for future land use; scope is easily scalable.

Comparative Value

  • vs. Housing: 90% lower development and permitting costs.

  • vs. Pools: Significantly lower water usage, staffing, liability, and maintenance costs

  • Sustainable, recurring community value for generations to come

SIGN THE PETITION
SIGN THE PETITION

The Evolving Landscape of Conscious Living

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The Evolving Landscape of Conscious Living •

Agrihoods & Gardening Communities

While most of Central Park master plans have been traditionally developed, this opportunity aligns with an emerging popular concept called ‘Agrihoods.

Agrihoods are residential communities built around working farms and hospitality gardens, prioritizing wellness over amenities like golf courses or pools.

Popular Communities Across America:

Benefits Include

  • Residents in garden communities consume up to 40% more fresh produce and report clinical improvements in blood sugar, cortisol, and stress levels. 

    Specific projects have shown reduced feelings of depression up to 60%. *

  • Garden communities boost property values by 9.4%, with some agrihoods reporting premiums of up to 30%.*

    6:1 ROI in food value ($6 revenue: $1 investment)

  • Reduces crime up to 20% through unique land use and diverts millions of gallons of stormwater annually.

    Some Colorado sites have reduced emissions by 52% by upcycling materials into infrastructure like raised beds.*

SIGN THE PETITION
SIGN THE PETITION

FAQs

We might not have all of the answers you’re looking for, but these are a few that have been asked so far.

We will update them as progress is made.

  • We're building a team of passionate thinkers and doers, experts from all angles of the project dedicated to building a unique community centered space. Collaboration and curiosity drive everything we do. Interested to join us? Let us know!

    This current project proposal is being led by Claire Crookston, a fellow neighbor to the plot. Claire has +15 years of experience in design with a focus on retail and wellness. She is a mom of twin toddlers, has a yoga teacher certification, a passion for herbalism, and is technically a 4th-generation farmer —although she hasn’t had the opportunity to plant her own…yet!

  • Denver Public Schools currently owns the plot of land. We are exploring potential options to lease it from them.

  • Our current vision includes establishing Grow Together as an offical PCB or B-Corp organization to raise private funding as well as any grants or bonds that might apply.

    All financial partners will be carefully and intentionally selected to maintain the integrity and core values of the project.

    If you or someone you know might have a desire to invest, please let us know!

  • When we think of a garden, we think of nature’s sanctuary. Our goal is to maintain a quiet and calm environment, operating all outdoor facilities from sunrise to sunset. With security and perimeter measures in place, we can ensure the space is kept clean and safe. Any indoor events will be kept small and intimate with an early curfew.

    Parking is yet to be explored, but planning for some being street and some offered on an accessible lot on the property.

  • We are in the very ‘seed’ (pun intended!) stages of exploring this project. Many details are still being ironed out, but there are a few easy ways we would love your support:

    1) Sign the petition, share the links on social or with friends/family, and hand out flyers (ask us for some!)

    2) Connect us with the right folks who might be able to partner with us or fund the project. Any introduction would be greatly appreciated.

    3) Call/email DPS board members and let them know you want to Grow Together!