Letters To The Editor June ’24

Is The City Stalling?

Thank you for last month’s news story and update on the current status of the Park Hill Golf Course property. (“At A Standstill,” online at greaterparkhill.org/at-a-standstill/)

I’ve been watching with growing sadness and concern the degradation of the land and trees at the former golf course. In my opinion, the owner is not acting in good faith, and the city is not honoring the wishes of its citizens. I have lost trust in our city’s leaders.

Cynically, in the face of inaction, I fear the city is intentionally stalling. As the property falls further into degradation and blight, I envision the city eventually presenting a “solution” in which Westside, or some other greedy developer, offers to renew and develop the property. A tragic outcome. I implore the Mayor and city council to honor the voice of their constituents and the spirit of the perpetual conservation easement by preserving the green space that was once the Park Hill Golf Course.

Merry Davis, Park Hill

The Work Is Not Over

I’ve been thinking about the empty and abandoned Park Hill Golf Course, where a park should be. I do hope that Mayor Mike Johnston’s team is paying attention.

Thank you for reminding us all that the work didn’t end with the election. I’ll send a note to Denver Councilwoman Shontel Lewis’s office. Her team has been responsive when our district raises concerns.

This regional park should be much further in the process. Hopefully more Park Hill residents feel the same.

Veronica M. D’Annibale, Park Hill

Editor’s note: Mayor Mike Johnston can be reached at 720-865-9000 The mayor can also be contacted via email at tinyurl.com/DenverContact.

City Council Districts 8 and 9 currently include portions of Greater Park Hill. Two at-large council members also represent the entire city. The following are phone numbers and emails to reach those representatives:

District 8 Councilwoman Shontel Lewis: 720-337-8888
District8@denvergov.org

District 9 Councilman Darrell Watson: 720-337-7709
District9@denvergov.org

At-Large Councilwoman Sarah Parady: 720-337-7713
ParadyAtLarge@denvergov.org

At-Large Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez: 720-337-7712 G-Gutierrez.atlarge@denvergov.org

There Will Be Flowers

City Park Adopt-a-Flowerbed is working hard to make sure City Park blooms this summer. There is more reason than ever to volunteer for the program, now in its fourth year of operation.

The city initially announced that flower beds in city parks would not be planted due to budget cuts addressing the influx of migrants.  On April 3, Adopt-a-Flowerbed volunteers gathered at the City Park Pavilion to ask Denver Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) Superintendent of the East District, Adam Smith how they can help in this crisis.

After discussions that were driven by the outreach efforts of Frank Rowe, executive director of the Denver Park Trust, and Darrell Watson, councilperson for District 9, Parks Deputy Manager Scott Gilmore has announced the creation of a City Park Flowerbed donor account. The account will support the gardens and planting areas throughout City Park, including any perennial gardens, Lilac Lane, Cordova Rock Garden, Ida’s City Park Rock Garden, the Benedict and Sopris Rose Gardens, Thatcher Fountain, Burns and Sopris Gardens, and the Esplanade flowerbeds. City Park Alliance has made a generous donation of $5,000 to kick off the account.

DPR Executive Director Jolon Clark and DPR Partnership Manager Dan Williams played crucial roles in creating this new donor account. Reach out to Mr. Williams at dan.williams@denvergov.org for information on how to donate.

According to Denver Parks and Recreation, the City Park Adopt-a-Flowerbed program is now the model for volunteer  programs throughout the city’s parks. Please join us as we maintain City Park’s flowerbeds, bask in nature and renew old friendships while making new ones. Weeding, pruning, fertilizing, are some of the gardening tasks volunteers perform.  For more information or to sign up, contact Maria Flora at mjflora@msn.com. The program is sponsored by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., City Park Friends and Neighbors, South City Park and City Park Alliance.

Georgia Garnsey, Park Hill

Golf Tourney is June 24

City Park Alliance is holding its 4th Annual Golf Tournament on June 24 at City Park Golf Course. The proceeds from the tournament will go to help plant some flowers in City Park, help to maintain those flower beds, and to accomplish the things that will keep City Park our “crown jewel.”

City Park Alliance was formed in 1999 to work with Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation with a vision of restoring City Park as the gem it has been in the past and to help make the park a more beautiful and user-friendly place to visit. (To learn more, go to cityparkalliance.org)

The golf tournament is our main source of fundraising, and it is a delightful morning with lunch at the end. Proceeds from last year went to purchase two park benches for the new playground that replaced the Dustin Redd playground.  That playground is busy and seating was often scarce for parents and daycare providers who bring their kids to play.

Please join us for this fun tournament. Register at cityparkalliancegolf.com. Singles and Foursomes are welcome, sponsorships are available, and it promises to be a fun game of golf with a spectacular view.

Alice Kelly, City Park Alliance

We love your letters, and give preference to those that address an issue that has been covered in the newspaper, or a topic that is Park Hill or Denver-specific. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name, and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.