In a remarkable turn of events, Denver Animal Control has successfully captured a German Shepherd-like dog known by residents as Park Hill Dave, or affectionately referred to as Mad Max. The elusive canine had been a familiar sight at the Park Hill Golf Course, deftly avoiding human contact for weeks, often keeping a distance of about 25 yards from park-goers.
Last Thursday, city workers set a humane trap equipped with enticing treats, allowing Park Hill Dave to acclimate to the idea of entering. Concerns about the dog’s well-being escalated over the weekend, prompting the city to cover the trap with blankets to protect him from the freezing temperatures and snow.
By Wednesday morning, city workers decided to step up their strategy by placing a juicy steak inside the trap. Within an hour of ensuring the trap was ready, Park Hill Dave finally ventured inside and was successfully caught, much to the relief of Denver Parks and Recreation director Jolon Clark, who promptly transported him to the shelter.
It’s unknown how long Park Hill Dave has been living independently; Clark speculated that someone may have lost the dog years ago, believing he had perished. Given the circumstances, the shelter will first check for a microchip to facilitate a possible reunion with his previous owners.
If no owner comes forward, the city will allow the previous family five days to claim him. Denver Parks and Recreation hopes for a reunion, yet if that isn’t possible, they will consider giving Park Hill Dave a job in the park, which seems to align with the dog’s apparent preference for outdoor life.
Interestingly, Park Hill Dave isn’t the only four-legged resident making waves at the golf course. Over the years, rumors suggested a mountain lion was roaming the area, but it was later believed to be a large domestic cat.
Adding to the area’s wildlife charm are several familiar creatures, including Sly the friendly fox, Sam the sassy squirrel, an array of woodpeckers, hawks, and even a multitude of black-capped chickadees. This diversity echoes the abundant wildlife typically found in expansive urban parks across the city.
In a separate yet linked development, the city is preparing to transform the 155-acre former golf course into Denver’s fourth-largest park. Owned currently by Westside Investment Partners, this land is expected to officially change hands in a land-swap deal that will provide a similarly sized parcel near the airport to the developer.
The land swap proposal will be reviewed by the Denver City Council in the coming weeks. If all goes according to plan, the new park will open for limited use by summer.
To engage the community in this exciting transition, Denver Parks and Recreation is gathering input for the future of the park. The renowned design firm Sasaki will spearhead the visioning and planning process.
Mark your calendars! On Thursday, a mini-festival and brainstorming session is set to take place at Axum Park, located near Colorado and Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Community members are invited to share their ideas for the new park while enjoying activities such as races, basketball, slacklining, and climbing.
The transformation of Park Hill Golf Course into a vibrant park space is poised to not only reshape the landscape but also bring together the community to celebrate and connect with nature.
image source from：https://denverite.com/2025/04/23/park-hill-dave-dog-captured/
