City Hall Art Walk
Location – Westminster City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave.
Map – Use this map to follow the directions below
Distance – 2.14 miles
Difficulty - easy
Parking – Parking lot on the east side of City Hall
Description - This easy 2 mile stroll takes you past over 50 individual pieces of outdoor art at and near Westminster City Hall. The path takes you past some Westminster iconic architectural landmarks. You will be transported to Italy as well as London, England!
Directions (print directions)
· The walk starts at Westminster City Hall (#1), located at the southeast corner of 92nd Avenue and Yates Street.
· Walk to the plaza between the entrance to City Hall and the bell tower (#2). City Hall was completed in 1988 and was designed by the architectural firm Murata Outland Associates. City Hall provides offices for many of the city’s employees, as well as the Council Chambers where City Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
· Note the 130-foot-tall bell tower which was built in 1988 and is visible throughout the Denver metropolitan area. The suite of 24 bells inside make it a carillon, an instrument that consists of at least 23 cast bronze, cup-shaped bells sounded together to play a melody. The bells are operated by a keyboard located at the base of the bell tower. The bells can be played by a carillonneur or preprogrammed tapes can be played through the keyboard. This is the second largest carillon in Colorado, after the one at the University of Denver, and is renowned as one of the most beautiful and finely tuned in the Western U.S. The bells ring for 5 minutes at 10:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The bells weigh between 40 and 340 pounds each. The bell tower is open upon request for those who want to walk up all 182 steps to take in the magnificent view of the entire metro area from the top. Contact the General Services Department at 303-658-2150 to make arrangements to climb the tower.
· Just southeast of the bell tower is Westminster’s first public art piece titled “Promise of the Prairie,” (#3) sculpted by Loveland’s George Lundeen. This bronze sculpture of a pioneer man, woman and young boy gazing to the horizon evokes Westminster’s agricultural roots.
· Go south to the driveway between the bell tower and the Public Safety building (home to the Police Department and Fire Department Administration). The Public Safety Building (#4) was designed by the architectural firm Humphries Poli, and was dedicated in November 2002.
· Cross the drive and proceed to the striking bronze sculpture in front of the Public Safety Building entitled “Teamwork,” (#5). This sculptural montage was unveiled in August 2012, and pays homage to the Police and Fire departments personnel.
· Backtrack to the access drive (but don’t cross) and go left (west) to where the sidewalk dead ends at Yates Street. The magnificent sculpture of a bull elk, titled “Challenge” (#6) by Gerald Balciar, is on your left.
· Turn right, cross the drive, and nestled within the trees on your right are several bronze sculptures (#7), including:
· Continue on the loop path through the sculpture garden, returning to Yates Street. Go north (right) to 92nd Avenue and turn left, crossing Yates Street. Now go right (north) across 92nd Avenue.
· Turn left on the north side of 92nd Avenue and walk along the sidewalk west to Sheridan Boulevard. At the corner is the iconic sculpture of five dolphins (by sculptor, George Lundeen) leaping from a water fountain surrounded by a circular plaza. This sculpture, "Dolphins," (#8) is best viewed in the summer when the fountain is operating and the flowers are blooming.
· Retrace your steps by going back east along 92nd Avenue and turn left and go north to the front of the Westminster City Center Marketplace shopping center. This shopping center was built in 1996 by Denver developer Jim Sullivan. The center was designed by the architectural firm Humphries Poli, which incorporated a Italian Tuscany design theme.
· Some interesting architectural elements include (#9):
· Walk north along the entire west-facing front of the shopping center to the Farmers’ High Line Canal, taking time to appreciate the wonderful architectural features.
· Find the sidewalk next to the canal and go left (west). Proceed to the structure on your left which looks like a miniature Greek or Roman temple (#10). The structure was built to look like a ruin. Developer Jim Sullivan and his son actually used sledge hammers to enhance the “ruin” look! “Faux” ruins built from scratch were popular in the early 1900s, especially in Europe. They were called “follies” which is why this structure is called “Folly.”
· Turn around and go east along the concrete sidewalk next to the canal to where it dead ends at City Center Drive. Go left along that street and cross the street by the large building on your right, which is the newly built clubhouse and restaurant for the Hyland Hills Golf Course.
· Walk north along the west side of the clubhouse to the main entrance. Go inside to see the wonderful bronze sculpture titled “It’s Only a Game” (#11), by Loveland sculptor, Bill Bond. The piece captures some of the humor and frustrations of the game of golf.
· Continue walking east through the clubhouse to the outdoor patio. Two other sculptures can be found next to the first tee area, which is next to the patio. They are titled “Little Jack Golfing” and “Study Time” (#12).
· Continue north and then back west along the north side of the clubhouse, then go back south past the main entrance to make a loop.
· Continue south to City Center Drive and turn right back to where you crossed the street. Cross the street and go left (south) along the street.
· Continue south along the back of the Westminster City Center Marketplace shopping center. Note several painted murals or frescos, some which are hidden by tree branches (#13).
· At 93rd Avenue, go left (east) across City Center Drive. Continue east along the north edge of Westminster Center Park to the playground and picnic shelter.
· Stop at the tall column (obelisk) which is similar in shape to the City Hall bell tower, but a lot shorter. The obelisk is actually a stylized copy of Cleopatra’s needle in London (#14). Take a photo of the park obelisk and bell tower lined up.
· Look around and you will find many other references to London, including the River Thames, Big Ben, etc. The playground has a “Peter Pan” theme complete with pirate ship (#15). This is by far the most popular playground in Westminster. The pop jet fountain is particularly fun for kids in the summer.
· After touring the features of the park, go to the southwest corner of the park to the intersection of Yates and 92nd Avenue. Cross 92nd Avenue south and then turn left (east) on 92nd Avenue. Turn right into the entrance of City Hall to complete your tour, ending back at the bell tower. You have walked by more than 50 public art pieces!