Letters To The Editor September 2023
Sewer Story Was Disturbing
Thank you for the important story entitled “A Sewer Runs Through It,” last month’s page 1 story by Mark Silverstein. His investigative reporting revealed the fact that the city of Aurora bulldozed open space through parts of Denver without the broader community even being aware of it. The findings are critical and disturbing.
We, the readers of The Greater Park Hill News, are fortunate to have a community newspaper that exposes such otherwise hidden environmental degradation. Our community should also be thankful that your paper was willing to venture outside of Park Hill to disclose this information. After all, if you hadn’t, it seems no one else would have.
Dan Recht, Park Hill
The Animals Are Gone
The article “A Sewer Runs Through It” was profound. The walkway and little pond referenced served as a sanctuary for several birds and animals.
Living in a neighborhood where there is frequent gun fire, screeching cars and sirens, this area was a peaceful respite from a chaotic world. My dog and I would watch turtles sunbathing on floating logs in the pond, pelicans gathered and interacting with each other as though they were conducting a big business deal, a raccoon who would play peek-a-boo with us from behind a large oak tree, a mother eagle feeding and nurturing her eaglets and an occasional inquisitive fox running carelessly through the tall grass.
Now, with the exception of some persistent ducks, all the animals have disappeared. The area is now desolate, replaced with mounds of dirt and piles of rocks. Large sewer pipes replace the large towering oak trees. There was no regard for nature, it appears it was all about money in the name of progress.
It makes me sick my taxes are paying for this destruction. My plea is if this type of “construction” is planned in other natural areas that more consideration be given to either not proceeding with the project or carefully and strategically implementing it with conservation of natural habitat as the focus.
Debbie Jackson, Green Valley Ranch
Don’t Try This At The Office
Mark Silverstein did a great job on last month’s article about the bulldozing of First Creek open space and trail. The construction seems to be very slow going. Being a birder, I’m going to attempt to get out there in the next month or two for fall migration, but I’ve barely been back out there since May. Too depressing.
I love the city’s definition of replacing trees. Tear out a huge mature tree here and plant a sapling somewhere else. I wonder if I can get away with that with my mortgage company. I’ll tell clients they will “still get their money” but I’m just replacing the final destination of the payment from their account to an account of my own. I’m sure they will understand and think that is fair. After all, it is really the same thing, right?
John Breitsch, Denver
Editor’s note: The author is a Denver-based birder and bird photographer.
Students Still In Danger At 23rd And Kearney Street
This letter is in response to the recent sidewalk and street crossing construction for children’s safety to McAuliffe. (“Third Time’s A Go” in the August issue.)
As I have watched the construction in the area take shape with the installation of new sidewalks and curbing leading towards the newly installed crosswalk of concrete islands at Kearney and 23rd Avenue, I can’t help but wonder if the city is really addressing the safety of the children, bikers and surrounding homes and businesses or simply “checking the box.” Without the installation of a manually operated flashing crosswalk light initiated by pedestrians, many cars will not stop. In fact, it likely will be more dangerous at this crossing as it is an inadequate response and this is the busiest intersection in the area.
Anyone that has tried to cross the similar pedestrian crossings on Montview Boulevard on foot or been riding a bike near them (Kearney and Holly), can surely attest that it is no safer to cross at these locations or ride a bike near them than at any other street crossing. In fact, I would argue that it might be more dangerous in these areas, as the obstacles for cars to avoid actually force vehicles into bike lanes and towards sidewalks and homes, and create a launching ramp if the driver is not paying attention.
It seems every several months, the metal traffic signs at these crossings are folded over from where a car has run over them. I have attempted to cross at these crossings numerous times to witness countless cars continue at full speed right past myself and other pedestrians, and my wife and son even witnessed a near-miss of a vehicle and a family not long ago.
Without a flashing light being triggered by the pedestrian at the time they are prepared or in the act of crossing, drivers are not alerted adequately. Even worse, children are being led to believe they are safe to cross at these intersections. I can’t believe $2.3 million was spent on this “Safe Routes To School” project and no one brought this to the table as a requirement.
Yes, sidewalks and crossings are necessary, but without actively alerting drivers that a child (or any pedestrian) is ready or in the act of crossing, is it $2.3 million wasted?
Mark Almquist, Park Hill
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.