Where The Foxes Play
With Slicers Long Gone, Wildlife Returns To The Park Hill Golf Course Land
Story and photos by Reid Neureiter
For the GPHN
The former Park Hill Golf Course stopped operating in December, 2018. It lies fallow while politicians and developers plot the site’s potential redevelopment, and open space advocates work to keep its protective conservation easement in place.
But just because the former sand traps are going to seed does not mean there is no activity at the 155-acre site, bordered by 35th Avenue on the south and Colorado Boulevard to the west. To the contrary, with the land relatively free from human activity, wildlife has begun to move in.
A recent April evening walk revealed numerous bird species, including goldeneye and northern shoveler ducks and red-winged black birds in the small pond located to the north of the property, a hovering kestrel, and a magnificent red-tailed hawk, first perching in what used to be a fairway tree and then soaring off in search of an evening meal.
But the most noteworthy new residents of this open space so far are a family of foxes, who have dug a den off an old cart path and are raising at least three kits. On April 8, as the sun was setting, one handsome, healthy adult red fox was seen crisscrossing the grounds, inspecting piles of branches for voles or squirrels (dinner). Two small fox kits were playing near the den entrance.
According to a pamphlet on foxes published by the Office of the City Naturalist of the Denver Parks & Recreation Department, the red fox, vulpes vulpes, a member of the canid (dog) family, has the widest range of any carnivore. It can be found in diverse habitats from forests, grasslands, mountains, deserts and adapts well to living around people. (That last point is likely no surprise for many Park Hillians, who occasionally report other red fox spottings around the neighborhood.)
The fox’s diet consists of everything from insects to small mammals, birds, snakes, fish and frogs. They will even eat Canada goose and duck eggs. Garbage and pet food are also potential food sources.
Fox kits are born from March through May. As explained in the naturalist’s pamphlet, while adults are out hunting, the kits are frequently left alone to play in or near the den. So people should never pick up what might appear to be an abandoned fox kit. It will be fine left alone pending the parent’s return.
Foxes are typically shy and will avoid human contact. The greatest danger from foxes comes if they become habituated to humans because of feeding, which might make them aggressive. In fact, a fox was recently captured on the grounds of the United States Capitol after having bit a number of Capitol employees, including a congresswoman and a reporter. That fox tested positive for rabies and had to be euthanized.
The Denver naturalist’s office recommends admiring foxes from afar, and reminds us that feeding foxes in the city is illegal. Here are a few additional tips:
1. Do not leave pet food dishes out. Feed pets indoors.
2. Keep garbage and compost in securely closed cans or inside.
3. Clean up fruit that has fallen to the ground.
4. Clean under bird feeders and barbeque grills regularly; and
5. Enclose poultry and rabbits in secure pens.
Because foxes are extremely intelligent, they will learn locations where they are not welcome. “If a fox enters your yard, yell, wave your arms or a broom, or bang on something to make noise to scare it away,” advises the naturalist.
In the meantime, an early morning or late evening walk across the old golf course might give a glimpse of Park Hill’s own fantastic new fox family.