Talk of the Neighborhood
Compiled by Cara DeGette, Editor, GPHN
The following is a synopsis of what was discussed during the May 2 Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. monthly meeting. The next community meeting is Thursday, June 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. It is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome. Note: there is no monthly meeting in July.
City Park Golf Course Update
GPHC, Inc. board member Ryan Hunter provided an update on the new City Park Golf Course. Hunter, who represents Park Hill on the golf course committee, noted that there have been delays on construction due to inclement weather. He and others recently toured the soon-to-open bar and restaurant, which is to the north of the zoo off 23rd Avenue. Hunter said the buildings are beautiful, though the interiors had not yet been completed. One piece of good news, Hunter noted: The city was able to save 60 more trees than was expected at the outset of the nearly 2-year old project. Stay tuned for additional details, including the date the reconfigured golf course will open.
Food and Sustainability
GPHC, Inc. Executive Director Lana Cordes provided a brief update on food pantry operations and other programs. A total of 111 people received supplies from the food pantry in April, for a total of 284 so far this year. The weekend school food program serves around 80 local students weekly.
On a separate topic, Greater Park Hill received its annual rating in the city’s neighborhood sustainability program. The ratings are based on a points program, and 110 points puts neighborhoods in the “outstanding status.” Park Hill racked up a walloping 162 points, which means that the neighborhood is overachieving in a big way on the sustainability scale.
Garden Walk Update
Park Hill Garden Walk co-chairs Carla Finch and Patty Mead provided an update on preparations underway for the June 23 Garden Walk. (See pages 14-15 for details, including how and where to purchase tickets.) Finch and Mead say they are always on the lookout for beautifully landscaped, as well as artsy and quirky gardens whose owners will agree to participate. If you have just finished a gorgeous garden, or know someone who may be interested, contact Finch and Mead via parkhillgardenwalk.org. Also, if you spot Finch and Mead driving or walking down alleys in the neighborhood and peering into peoples’ backyards, please don’t call 9-1-1. They are just out scouting for possibilities.
District 2 Police Update
Denver Police Department Officer Sharon Avendaño provided an update on activities in the neighborhood. Overall, crime is down, though there continues to be reports of theft from cars. Avendaño reminded people to lock their doors and not keep valuables in cars. School is nearly out for the summer, and motorists should watch out for children outside playing and riding their bikes. Avendaño noted that residents with concerns can contact her directly at Sharon.avendano@denver gov or calling her at 720-913-1094 or 720-737-0739.
Early Pitch For School Board
Community advocate Tay Anderson is running for an at-large position in the DPS Board of Education in November. He provided an update on his reasons for running, including ensuring gender equality and providing equitable access to high quality education for all students. In addition, he supports providing additional counselors in schools, restorative justice programs and gender-neutral bathrooms. Anderson is a recent graduate of Manual High School who is now working at North High School. “If we are going to close the education gap we have to touch every neighborhood and know there is a new era of leadership for DPS,” Anderson said. His website is tayanderson.org.
Note From Editor
Last month we reported the newspaper won seven awards for excellence from the Colorado Press Association. Our writers and photographers won four first place awards, including for sustained and investigative news coverage of the Fairfax Park land swap deal, which detailed the park land deal that was brokered out of public view by Denver Councilman Chris Herndon and top officials of the city’s Parks and Recreation department. The newspaper also received top honors for political column writing, sports, education writing and layout and design.
We have since been notified of three additional awards for work done in 2018. The Top of the Rockies, a regional journalism contest sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists, honored the newspaper for photography, political column writing and headline writing.
The awards are testament to the incredible field of talented writers, photographers and designers that we have Park Hill. Major thanks and appreciation to all who contribute to the newspaper –including volunteers who bundle and deliver the newspaper. If you are interested in contributing – or if you have a story idea or tip – contact me at editor@greaterparkhill.org or at the phone number listed below in the staff box.