Talk of the Neighborhood
Editor’s Note: The following is a synopsis of items that were discussed during the May 7 GPHC monthly meeting. The next GPHN meeting is on Thursday, June 4 beginning at 6:30 pm, at the GPHC Room at 2823 Fairfax St. It is free and open to the public.
District 2 Police Report
Officer Reyes Trujillo reported that during April there were nine burglaries and “a couple of shooting events” in Park Hill north of 28th Avenue. There were no fatalities. One sexual assault was reported, and there were nine reports of theft from motor vehicles. Trujillo urged residents to make sure to lock their back doors when not at home, and to put locks on their gates to prevent thieves from coming into their backyard and stealing stuff. Residents are also reminded to close their garage doors to avoid being victim to crimes of opportunity.
In Park Hill on the south side of 28th Avenue, Trujillo reported a rash of 14 burglaries, geographically spread out around the neighborhood. Volunteers have been handing out fliers to alert neighbors and hopefully help apprehend the suspects. Also on the south side, 16 thefts from motor vehicles occurred, and 16 incidents of criminal mischief, including broken windows and graffiti.
Trujillo was asked by audience members to detail a dramatic increase in gang activity in Park Hill. He said that several gangs have been engaging in infighting in the Cole and Park Hill neighborhoods. (The Denver Police Department reports 12 gang-related homicides have occurred as of May 15 in Denver.) A meeting in late April at District 2 headquarters drew a standing-room only crowd. Anyone with information is urged to call 9-1-1.
What’s the Best Book You’ve Ever Read?
GPHC, Inc. Chairman Dave Felice asked neighbors in the audience to introduce themselves, as per usual custom. In a new twist, he asked everyone to also name a favorite book. The many and varied titles that were identified included:
War and Peace, Siddhartha, Animal Dreams, Warmth of Other Suns, Tom Sawyer and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the Hunt for Red October, The Godfather, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Where the Red Fern Grows, Blood and Thunder, Once an Eagle, Cosmos by Carl Sagan, Shogun by Clavell, Midnight’s Children, Animal Farm, Fast Food Nation, anything by Shakespeare, and this response, from board member Veronica D’Annibale: “My favorite book is the one I’m reading.”
Denver Water Update
Jason Finehout and two other representatives from Denver Water provided an update on several water pipe replacement and rehab projects planned and underway in Park Hill. Three crews are working in areas including along Montview Boulevard, along Cherry Street from Montview Boulevard north to 29th Avenue, and along Krameria Street from Colfax to 26th. These projects are estimated to take approximately six months to complete. Finehout thanked neighbors for being courteous to the workers, who are decked out in traffic hard hats and safety vests.
4th of July Update
Parade founder and organizer Justin Bresler reported that planning for Park Hill’s annual 4th of July Parade is on track, with a new logo and website, at parkhillparade.org. The parade will start at 1:30 p.m. and the route runs along 23rd Avenue from Dexter to Krameria Streets. So far, 40 groups have signed up, including the show-stopping Star Wars characters. As of the meeting time, organizers were still working to secure a marching band. The parade will once again be followed by a carnival and street fair. Bresler urged parade participants to sign up early, as the cut-off for entries is mid-June. He also urged groups to get creative with their floats and themes. Volunteers are needed.
Update on the June 13 Garden Walk
Board member Pat Quinn provided an update on the Park Hill Garden Walk, scheduled for Saturday, June 13. Volunteers are being sought to greet people at the various gardens on display during this year’s event, and to help sign them in. In exchange for help, volunteers receive a free pass to tour all of the gardens. If you are interested, check out parkhillgardenwalk.org or call GPHC Executive Director Rebecca Born at 303-388-0918. See more on the Garden Walk on page 12 in this issue.
Rebecca Born’s Executive Director Report
GPHC, Inc. executive director Executive Director Rebecca Born provided updates on numerous events taking place in the month of May. They included the May 9 Denver Cleanup Day, the food co-op’s May 17 bluegrass and blues fundraiser, the GPHC-sponsored food access forum on May 20 at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, the ice cream social at City Park on May 29, and the GPHC-sponsored May 30 neighborhood-wide garage sale. Born also noted that volunteers are needed to help out at the GPHC food pantry and in the garden, as well as at the Boys and Girls Club at Holly Square. Give Rebecca a call at 303-388-0918 if you can help out.
Communications Update
Board Chair Dave Felice read the following communications plan that was discussed during the March board retreat: Every month, the names, districts and best desired contacts of the GPHC board will be published in the newspaper. In addition, at least once quarterly, a map detailing the boundaries of districts will be published, more often if space allows. The monthly publication of board members names and districts began in the April issue In addition to the names and contacts of board members, the mission of GPHC, Inc. will be included, as well as the name and contact of the executive director, a brief explanation about the operations, and the website link, at greaterparkhill.org to read the elected officers’ bios. The following current board members wish to be contacted at the following: Dave Felice (chair@gpah.org), Veronica D’Annibale (gphcdistrict9rep@gmail.com), Louis Plachowski (lpachowski@gmail.com) and Melissa Davis (newspaper@greaterparkhill.org). People who are interested in contacting other board members are directed to contact them via the main office phone number or at a general account that was set up by Melissa, info@greaterparkhill.org. The executive director will refer calls to the appropriate party.
Following the reading, the communications plan was approved by a unanimous vote of a quorum of board members who were present. The list of district representatives and other information is on page 19 of this month’s paper.
Education Update
GPHC Education Chair Lynn Kalinauskas reported a busy month. She and other GPHC representatives attended a DPS meeting at Stedman Elementary during which Superintendent Tom Boasberg said the district is planning a second middle school in Park Hill. Though he initially indicated the McAuliffe Middle School at the Smiley Campus would not be expanded, a district staff member subsequently indicated that McAuliffe, which is at maximum capacity in its first year, might be expanded after all.
For details on the controversy, check out the April and May issues of the Greater Park Hill News Online at greaterparkhill.org – including the news story “The Choice of Being Pushed out of Park Hill,” and an Open Letter from the board of GPHC, Inc. to DPS administrators and board members asking the district for transparency when making decisions.
Home Tour & Street Fair Set For Sept. 27
Organizer Nina Kuhl announced the date of the annual Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair has been set for Sunday, Sept. 27. The event lasts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seven homes will be included in this year’s tour, including three midcentury homes designed by Edwin Hawkins (see page 13 for more). The volunteer and sponsor appreciation party will be held the night before this year, rather than post-event. The street fair, which is an all-day gathering on Forest Parkway, will include bands, booths, kids activities and food. Check out the website and sign up for booths at parkhillstreetfair.com.