The Park People
The Park People is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1969, that plants trees, distributes 65,000+ trees through Denver Digs Trees, trains urban foresters, runs a workforce pre-apprenticeship, and operates Gates Tennis Center in partnership with Denver Parks & Recreation, serving Denver residents, corporate teams, and career seekers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Park People does
The Park People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 in Denver, Colorado, that operates urban forestry and park improvement programs in partnership with Denver Parks & Recreation. The organization runs a portfolio of programs centered on tree equity and community greening: Denver Digs Trees distributes free and low-cost climate-appropriate trees to residents (65,000+ since inception), Mile High Tree Champions provides turnkey corporate team-building planting events ($5K+ per event), Community Forester offers a five-workshop urban forestry training and badge certification ($25-$65 per workshop, $300 full badge), Park Legacy sells commemorative tribute trees and engraved pavers, TreeForce is a paid 6-8 week pre-apprenticeship addressing the 200+ annual tree care job openings in Denver, and Every Drop Counts delivers water-wise irrigation education in eight low-canopy neighborhoods. The organization also operates the Gates Tennis Center, an award-winning public tennis and pickleball facility under a 1975 public-private partnership, and has executed 50+ capital projects over its 56-year history.
The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: individual donations (Colorado Enterprise Zone tax credit of 25% on cash gifts), foundation and government grants, corporate sponsorships across six tiers (Forest through Seedling) with named sponsors including Newmont, Accenture, Xcel Energy, United Airlines, Intermountain Health, and Arbor Day Foundation, subsidized program fees ($15-$50 per tree, $25-$65 per workshop), corporate team-building events ($5K planting / $1K stewardship), and a real estate transaction partnership via Living Room Real Estate. Distribution is direct-to-community via the Denver Parks & Recreation partnership, the Gates Tennis Center facility, in-person workshops at Denver parks, and community events. The organization operates with a small staff (approximately 12-15 as of 2024, up from ~2 a few years prior) plus hundreds of volunteers and a Board of Trustees.
There is no software platform or proprietary technology product; the underlying capability is program operations, community mobilization, and arboricultural expertise. Customer segments span Denver residents (primary, including low-canopy neighborhood residents), corporate teams seeking ESG/volunteer activities, career seekers in green jobs, community volunteers, and commemorative tribute buyers. Headquartered at 450 Decatur Street in Denver's Valverde neighborhood, the organization serves a single metro market with no disclosed geographic expansion plans.
The Park People firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Park People
- Legal name
- The Park People
- Website
- https://theparkpeople.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Park People is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1969, that plants trees, distributes 65,000+ trees through Denver Digs Trees, trains urban foresters, runs a workforce pre-apprenticeship, and operates Gates Tennis Center in partnership with Denver Parks & Recreation, serving Denver residents, corporate teams, and career seekers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Park People industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Urban Forestry and Park Stewardship Services
- NAICS
- Landscaping Services (561730)
- SIC
- Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD)
Keywords
Where The Park People is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Park People business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Private donations from individuals supporting the organization's urban forestry and park improvement mission
- Program Fees: Fees from Denver Digs Trees ($15-$50 per tree), workshop fees ($25-$65), and Mile High Tree Champions team planting events ($1,000-$5,000)
- Foundation and Government Grants: Funding from foundations and government agencies supporting urban forestry and community greening initiatives
- Corporate Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors at various levels (Forest, Grove, Tree, Sapling, Sprout, Seedling) including Newmont, Accenture, Xcel Energy, and others
- Colorado Enterprise Zone Tax Credit: Donors to The Park People in designated Enterprise Zones can receive up to 25% state income tax credit on cash donations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One-time | Denver Digs Trees - Low-canopy neighborhoods |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | Denver Digs Trees - Standard neighborhoods |
| Freemium | One-time | Denver Digs Trees - Treeship (free) |
| Subscription | Per session | Community Forester Workshop - Volunteer rate |
| Subscription | Per session | Community Forester Workshop - Non-volunteer rate |
| Subscription | One-time | Badge in Urban Forestry (all 5 workshops) |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | Mile High Tree Champions - Planting Events |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | Mile High Tree Champions - Stewardship Events |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | Fall Yard Tree & Shrub Sale |
| Freemium | One-time | Water-Wise Workshops - Eligible neighborhoods |
| Subscription | Per session | Water-Wise Workshops - Non-eligible |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Park People product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Park People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a portfolio of urban forestry and park improvement programs in the Denver metro area. Core offerings include free and low-cost tree distribution to residents (Denver Digs Trees), volunteer training in urban forestry (Community Forester), corporate team-building planting events (Mile High Tree Champions), a paid pre-apprenticeship program for tree care careers (TreeForce), commemorative tribute trees and pavers (Park Legacy), and management of the Gates Tennis Center public recreation facility.
Product overview
The Park People operates as a nonprofit organization managing a portfolio of urban forestry and park improvement programs. The core offerings include Denver Digs Trees (free/low-cost tree distribution), Community Forester (volunteer training), Mile High Tree Champions (corporate team-building), TreeForce (workforce development pre-apprenticeship), Park Legacy (commemorative tributes), and Capital Projects (park improvements). The organization also oversees the Gates Tennis Center as a public recreation facility and runs the Every Drop Counts water conservation education program. These programs collectively engage residents, businesses, and community partners in planting and stewarding Denver's urban forest and parks.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Denver Digs Trees: A grassroots initiative providing free and low-cost trees to Denver residents, distributing over 65,000 trees citywide.
- Community Forester
- Park Legacy
- TreeForce
- Mile High Tree Champions
- Gates Tennis Center
Products and services
- Denver Digs Trees A grassroots initiative providing free and low-cost climate-appropriate trees to Denver residents for planting on private property or the public right-of-way. The program includes application-based tree distribution, permitting assistance, planting guidance, and follow-up support. Trees are $15 in low-canopy neighborhoods, $50 in standard neighborhoods, and free via Treeship requests.
- Community Forester A volunteer training program that teaches urban forestry skills through workshops covering tree biology, planting, pruning, identification, and community engagement. Graduates become Tree Stewards or Community Foresters and receive a badge in urban forestry.
- Mile High Tree Champions Corporate team-building program organizing group tree planting events at Denver parks, schools, nonprofits, and affordable housing communities. Events start at $5,000 for planting and $1,000 for stewardship and include site planning, tools, trees, meals, and team bonding activities.
- TreeForce A paid 6-8 week pre-apprenticeship program introducing people to urban tree care careers. Includes OSHA-10, First Aid, CPR, and TCIA certifications, with job placement support in the tree care industry. Entry-level tree care jobs start at $20/hr.
- Park Legacy Commemorative program offering tribute trees planted in Denver parks and engraved pavers in the Hazel Gates Woodruff Tribute Garden at Washington Park, for honoring loved ones or celebrating milestones.
- Capital Projects Park improvement initiative supporting restoration of historic features, new construction of amenities, and community projects including playgrounds, fountains, and park buildings throughout Denver.
- Gates Tennis Center Award-winning public tennis and pickleball facility in Pulaski Park offering court rentals, private lessons, group programming, USTA leagues, and youth camps with club-like amenities at affordable rates.
- Every Drop Counts: Water-Wise Workshop Series Water conservation education program teaching rainwater harvesting techniques, irrigation solutions, and water-wise landscaping practices to Denver residents, particularly in low-canopy neighborhoods. Free for residents in eight focus neighborhoods; $30 per workshop for other residents.
- Fall Yard Tree & Shrub Sale Seasonal tree and shrub sale offering trees at $100 and shrubs at $50 (40-50% off regular nursery prices), open to the public regardless of Denver residency.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 70,000 trees planted since 1969
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use The Park People
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Park People technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Park People partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Denver Parks & RecreationcorePrimary partner for park improvements and urban forestry programs. The Park People works hand-in-hand with Denver's Department of Parks & Recreation on capital projects, tree planting, and park stewardship initiatives. Executive Director of Denver Parks & Recreation serves as Ex Officio on The Park People's Board of Trustees.
- Gates Family FoundationcoreKey partner in the $4.7 million reconstruction of Gates Tennis Center in 2008. Foundation provides ongoing support for the facility and tennis programming.
- City & County of DenvercorePartnership for Gates Tennis Center reconstruction and ongoing urban forestry initiatives. Denver's Office of the City Forester partners on tree programs.
- KaBOOM!minorNational playground organization that partnered with The Park People on community playground builds at Chaffee Park and Knox Court Playground.
- Hitman Sports ManagementcoreConcessionaire hired by The Park People to run day-to-day operations at Gates Tennis Center.
- State FarmminorCorporate sponsor supporting TreeForce workforce development program.
- Colorado State Forest ServicecorePartner in urban forestry education and tree care resources.
- Colorado Water CenterminorLed by Jessica Thrasher, provides water-wise education for the Every Drop Counts workshop series.
- Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and ResiliencyminorPartners on workforce development initiatives including Green Workforce Development Award.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Park People competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Arbor Day Foundation: National tree-planting and conservation nonprofit operating at significantly larger scale. While broader in mission, it competes for the same corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and donor dollars as The Park People.
- American Forests: National urban forestry and forest conservation organization. Operates at larger scale across policy, education, and on-the-ground tree planting, competing for the same grant and donor pools.
- Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on creating parks and protecting land for public use. Overlaps with The Park People's park-improvement and capital projects work, and shares several of the same corporate sponsors.
- Davey Tree Expert Company: Large commercial tree care and urban forestry services company. Represents the private-sector counterpart whose labor pipeline TreeForce is designed to feed, and a potential scaling or partnership channel.
- Bartlett Tree Experts: National commercial tree care company with residential and municipal service lines. Adjacent competitor for tree-care labor and employer of TreeForce graduates, illustrating the ecosystem in which The Park People operates.
Direct peers
- Tree Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh-area nonprofit focused on urban tree planting, tree maintenance, and community forestry education. Comparable scope, funding mix, and metro-level urban canopy mission.
- Keep Indianapolis Beautiful: Indianapolis-based nonprofit delivering urban forestry, tree planting, and community greening programs with strong volunteer and corporate engagement models. Shares The Park People's community-led, tree-equity-focused operating approach.
- Friends of the Urban Forest: San Francisco nonprofit specializing in residential and neighborhood-scale tree planting, community forestry, and volunteer-driven stewardship programs. Directly comparable model to Denver Digs Trees and Community Forester.
- Casey Trees: Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on urban forestry, tree planting, and green workforce development. Closest direct peer given near-identical mission, program mix (free tree distribution, volunteer training, corporate partnerships), and metro-scope operating model.
Others
- City Parks Alliance: National membership organization advancing urban parks policy and funding. Relevant ecosystem peer given The Park People's park-improvement and capital-projects work, though not a direct service competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Park People financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Park People leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
The Park People funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Park People M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Park People
What does The Park People do?
The Park People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a portfolio of urban forestry and park improvement programs in the Denver metro area. Core offerings include free and low-cost tree distribution to residents (Denver Digs Trees), volunteer training in urban forestry (Community Forester), corporate team-building planting events (Mile High Tree Champions), a paid pre-apprenticeship program for tree care careers (TreeForce), commemorative tribute trees and pavers (Park Legacy), and management of the Gates Tennis Center public recreation facility.
Is The Park People a public or private company?
The Park People is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Park People founded?
The Park People was founded in 1969. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Park People based?
The Park People is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Park People make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are program Fees, foundation and Government Grants, corporate Sponsorships and colorado Enterprise Zone Tax Credit.
Who are The Park People's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Arbor Day Foundation, American Forests, Trust for Public Land, Davey Tree Expert Company and Bartlett Tree Experts. Direct peers are Tree Pittsburgh, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Friends of the Urban Forest and Casey Trees. City Parks Alliance is listed as an others.
Does The Park People have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Park People.
What industry is The Park People in?
The Park People's product category is Urban Forestry and Park Stewardship Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPABADAD, Tree Care & Arborist Services. Its NAICS code is 561730 and its SIC code is 800.