Walnut Hills is a neighborhood known for its tranquil environment and access to numerous green spaces such as Walnut Park Hills. The area features a variety of housing, predominantly single detached homes and row houses, many built between 1960 and 1980, with plentiful options offering four or more bedrooms. Bicycling infrastructure enhances mobility, complemented by convenient proximity to several businesses and supermarkets. Residents find local primary schools within easy reach, supporting education access. Streets are peaceful and parking is readily available, while highway connections facilitate easy travel by car. Bus lines also service the neighborhood, providing alternative transportation opportunities.
Walnut Hills is a "jack-of-all-trades" when it comes to the feel of this part of the city. Although the atmosphere is not the most lively in this part of the city with its about 10 bars, it is easy to find a place to grab a drink since they are generally located a short distance away. Most areas in Walnut Hills are very quiet, as the streets are very peaceful. Parks, like and Open Space and Trails, are very well-distributed and there are around 20 of them nearby for residents to explore, which makes them easy to access from the majority of locations in this neighborhood.
Parks, schools, dining, and what makes this neighborhood special
Walnut Hills Park is a central neighborhood green space adjoining Walnut Hills Community Elementary School near East Costilla Boulevard. Its playground, open lawn, mature trees, and connection to the Little Dry Creek corridor give families a convenient place for everyday play, walking, and informal outdoor gatherings. The park’s direct relationship with the school is one of Walnut Hills’ most distinctive community features.
Located at 8195 East Costilla Boulevard, Walnut Hills Community Elementary School serves as an important neighborhood anchor within the Cherry Creek School District. Its campus connects directly with Walnut Hills Park, creating an unusually integrated school-and-park setting. That arrangement supports walkable school access, nearby recreation, and a strong sense of place for families living along the neighborhood’s curving residential streets.
Just south of Walnut Hills, Hunters Hill Park offers a playground, open multipurpose fields, picnic space, and a small man-made lake, while the adjacent Hunters Hill Pool provides a seasonal gathering place for neighborhood residents. Together, these facilities add a distinctly local recreation option beyond Walnut Hills Park and help make the surrounding Walnut Hills–Hunters Hill area especially family-oriented.
Walnut Hills residents have convenient access to a concentrated commercial strip along East Arapahoe Road and the I-25 frontage area. Local standouts include Sabroso Fresh Mexican Grill, while nearby Albertsons, First Watch, and other everyday businesses provide dining, breakfast, groceries, and services without leaving the neighborhood’s immediate orbit. This corridor gives Walnut Hills practical amenities alongside its quiet residential interior.
The Little Dry Creek Trail passes through Walnut Hills Park and provides a neighborhood-scale walking and biking connection toward Arapahoe Road. Nearby, RTD’s Dry Creek light-rail station offers access to the E and F lines along the southeast edge of the community. Together, the trail and station give Walnut Hills unusually convenient car-light connections to Greenwood Village, the Denver Tech Center, and central Denver.
Things to do, events, and what's happening this month
This family-friendly Halloween event is a convenient Centennial outing for Walnut Hills residents, combining aircraft displays, tasty food, costumes, and trick-or-treating. It offers a distinctive seasonal experience for children and aviation fans without requiring a trip into central Denver.
View event details →Residents can enjoy an active fall morning at nearby deKoevend Park while supporting a community race centered on hope and healing. The 5K, 10K, and kids’ mile provide accessible options for families, casual walkers, and runners looking for a meaningful outdoor activity close to Centennial.
View event details →This educational event is especially relevant for Centennial families with middle- or high-school students exploring future careers. Local residents can meet professionals and learn about aviation, public safety, and engineering in an engaging setting at Exploration of Flight, close to Centennial’s business and airport district.
View event details →Centennial Center Park is a short, practical destination for Walnut Hills residents seeking a fall afternoon out. The event features Colorado breweries, distilleries, cideries, live music, food trucks, and vendors; admission is free, while beverage sampling is limited to adults age 21 and older.
View event details →This free Centennial gathering offers a more creative, community-oriented weekday activity for local residents, entrepreneurs, and supporters of small businesses. Attendees can meet 2026 SPARK participants, see what local businesses developed during the accelerator, and connect with neighbors at an art studio near South Quebec Street.
View event details →Stories, updates, and things to know in Walnut Hills
Local characteristics and demographics for Walnut Hills
