Talk of the Neighborhood
Compiled by Cara DeGette, Editor, GPHN
The following is a synopsis of what was discussed during the Sept. 6 Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. monthly meeting. The next community meeting is Thursday, Oct. 4, and is the annual meeting of GPHC, Inc. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Park Hill Golf Course clubhouse, at 4141 E. 35th Ave. The November meeting is Thursday, Nov. 1 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. The meetings are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome.
District 2 Police Update
Community Resource Officer Sharon Avendaño provided an update on police activities in and around Park Hill. In response to inquiries from audience members, Avendaño noted an uptick of prostitution, particularly along Colfax. In addition, several people reported windows being smashed at their homes and businesses, as well as an increase in bicycle thefts. Avendaño recommended people keep their garages closed and their cars locked, and not leave valuables in their cars. She also said that, due to a hiring freeze from 2008 to 2012, there are currently the same number of police officers on the streets as 22 years ago. “It will get worse before it gets better,” she said. People are urged to call 911 if they see suspicious activities happening in their neighborhoods, or go online to report incidents. One woman asked about an increase in the number of homeless individuals, particularly on the Monaco parkway near Colfax. Avendaño said there is just one officer in District 2 assigned to work with the homeless population, and he “moves them along as best as he can.” Avendaño also said that there will likely be an initiative on the Denver ballot next spring called “Right to Survive.” If passed, she said, homeless people will be able to “set up a tent wherever they want, including in your front yard.” State Rep. Leslie Herod, who was in the audience, spoke up to refute that claim. “It won’t allow people to camp in your front yard – that’s just not true,” Herod said.
Caring 4 Denver
State Rep. Leslie Herod spoke to the group about Caring 4 Denver, an initiative that is on the November Denver ballot to raise $45 million for mental health and substance abuse treatment for children and adults. Herod urged people to share their stories using the hashtag #caring4denver. To learn more, go to Caring4Denver.com. (See page 8 for an exclusive guest editorial from Herod detailing the specifics of the Caring 4 Denver proposal.)
RTD Board Candidates
Shontel Lewis is running for the RTD Board of Directors for District B, which includes Park Hill. She asked for a few minutes to introduce herself and urged people to check out her campaign website at Shontelforrtd.com. Two other candidates are running for the RTD District B seat, including JoyAnn Ruscha (whose website is joyannforrtd.com) and Chris Martinez (electchrismartinez.com).
Traffic In The ‘Hood
GPHC, Inc. District 5 Rep. Blair Taylor moderated a wide-ranging discussion about traffic problems throughout Park Hill. The latest concerns, she said, came to a head in early September after a week during which several accidents were reported involving cars and cyclists and/or pedestrians. Several audience members weighed in with opinions and anecdotes, notably about dangers to young people who are walking and riding their bikes from Stapleton and throughout Park Hill to McAuliffe Middle School and the several elementary schools in the neighborhood. Several people were highly critical of the poor condition of bike lanes, poor signage, cars speeding through the neighborhood, and of confusing traffic/bicycle lanes that have recently been repainted. City Traffic Engineer Justin Schmitz was in attendance, and said he wants to work with residents and figure out ways to improve safety. Taylor underscored the urgency of the situation, and noted that in just one day, more than 100 comments were logged on a neighborhood Facebook page responding to concerns about traffic and safety in Park Hill. See page 2 for letters from neighborhood residents on this topic. We will continue coverage of the topic in November. Submit your opinion or a personal story to editor@greaterparkhill.org
The Game Lounge Opens
Adam Alleman is the owner of the new Game Lounge at 1490 Eudora, at Colfax. The Game Lounge is designed as a family-friendly establishment with food, drinks, music, board games and music. Alleman invited people to stop by and say hello. The website for the Game Lounge is Denvergamelounge.com
Partners in Literacy
Julie Neitz Wielga, director, of Partners In Literacy, spoke briefly about the nonprofit, which pairs adult volunteers who read with students in schools. The program is currently in Park Hill and Roots elementary schools. The Partners In Literacy website is partnersinliteracy.org.
GPHC, Inc. Update
GPHC, Inc. Executive Director Sierra Fleenor provided an update on the operations of the Registered Neighborhood Organization. In August, the Emergency Food Pantry provided supplies to 64 households and 168 individuals. The tally for the year so far is 174 households and 463 individuals – which is twice as much volume as last year. (Check out page 16 for a list of items that people can donate to help keep the Food Pantry operating.) Now that schools are back in session, the Weekend Food Program is back in operation, serving students from Park Hill Elementary, Roots Elementary, Smith Elementary, and the Vickers Boys and Girls Club. GPHC’s free Monday Farm Stand has distributed 1,249 pounds of food since June 5, with a total of 250 people who have stopped by. The Farm Stand will continue to run through the month of October. Fleenor also noted that preparations for the Thanksgiving dinner box program are already underway, and she is seeking donations as well as volunteers to help. Email her at info@greaterparkhill.org for more info.
Fairfax Park Update
District 5 Representative Blair Taylor provided a brief update on the city’s Fairfax Park land swap deal with the developer of Park Hill Commons, which was approved by the Denver City Council on Aug. 27. A community design process for the park will be comprised of eight people, including members appointed by GPHC, Inc., Councilman Chris Herndon, Denver Parks and Recreation and the developer of Park Hill Commons, HM Capital.
DPS Superintendent Update
GPHC Education Chair Lynn Kalinauskas provided an update on the search for a new superintendent of Denver Public Schools. See her full report on the process to replace Tom Boasberg, who resigned in August, beginning on page 1.
Renaming Stapleton Roads
The board of GPHC, Inc. voted unanimously to support changing the names of the frontage roads along the northernmost boundary of Park Hill, from Stapleton Drive North and Stapleton Drive South to 45th and 44th avenues. The vote followed an August request from the organization Rename Stapleton For All to support the change. The board will send a letter to the city in support of the change.
GPHN Intern Adam Uribes contributed to this report.