Talk of the Neighborhood

Editor’s Note: The following is a synopsis of items that were discussed during the September 3 Greater Park Hill Community monthly meeting. The next GPHN meeting is the annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8 beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Park Hill Golf Course clubhouse, at 35th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. It is free and everyone is welcome.

District 2 Police Report

Officer Martinez provided an overview of crime and police activities occurring in the neighborhood for the previous month. Burglaries are up throughout Park Hill. Police have zeroed in on an organized group of about 30 who are committing burglaries across Denver. Their MO is often to ring doorbells or knock on doors, and if no one answers they kick in rear doors or climb in through unlocked windows to gain entry.  Police have collected some DNA on burglars and are actively investigating. Officer Martinez recommended people keep their porches and homes well lit at night, and for neighbors to watch out for each other’s property.  There has been a decrease in serious crimes in Park Hill.

National Western On The Ballot

Park Hill resident Anthony Grimes addressed the group as a promoter for the ballot issue to pass the tax to build a new Denver Western Center. “I grew up in Park Hill and one of my fondest memories is going to the stock show and rodeo,” Grimes said.  More information on the proposal is at smartdealfordenver.com

University of Colorado Students In Park Hill

As part of a class project, CU-Boulder students Zoe Pasternak and Brian Mueller have been working with the Greater Park Hill Community on neighborhood planning issues, including environmental, infrastructure and green spaces. Pasternak spent a few minutes reviewing the work they are doing.

GPHC, Inc. Executive Director report

Executive Director Rebecca Born provided reminders and updates on a number of items. The Sept. 12 Tour de Fat bike ride was to close part of the neighborhood, and Born reminded people to make sure to plan accordingly. The Sept. 26 NorthEast Walk Fest was coming up, as was the Park Hill Home Tour and Street Fest on Sept. 27. Once again Street Fest organizers are working toward realizing a zero waste event via recycling and reuse.  The GPHC annual meeting to elect new and returning officers is scheduled Oct. 8 at the Park Hill Golf Course clubhouse at 35th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. This year, officers from even-numbered districts are up for election and reelection. RSVP to director@greaterparkhill.org. Born was pleased to announce that an application to provide bicycle parking in front of the office at 2823 Fairfax was approved, and the city will install the system. The car-sharing operation Car2Go announced it will no longer circulate in Park Hill. The demand simply was not high enough in Park Hill, and many of the cars were sitting parked and unused for long periods of time.

Education Update

Education Chair Lynn Kalinauskas provided an update on education issues in Park Hill. Many parents, she said, are battling with Denver Public Schools to provide buses to shuttle Park Hill students to other schools in the school zone – which extends beyond Park Hill. Kalinauskas also reminded people to brush up on the candidates running for the school board and to make sure to vote in the Nov. 3 election. It’s an all-mail ballot election, and ballots will be mailed in October. (Check out Kalinauskas’ interview with at-large board candidates Robert Speth and Allegra “Happy” Haynes beginning on Page 1.)

Building Committee Update

GPHC Building Committee Chair Louis Plachowski passed around branches from the dreaded Sumac tree and talked about how to identify it by its telltale scent. The tree establishes itself in troublesome spots, including in foundations of buildings, and can create big headaches for property owners. Plachowski said to some, the Sumac is the tree of heaven, but to others it’s the tree of hell.

Zoning In Denver

Margie Valdez of Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation provided a report on zoning and planning issues throughout Denver. INC is hosting several Citizens Academy sessions to train residents about the ins and outs of zoning issues citywide, including on Oct. 14 and Oct. 28. Registration is closed for those sessions, but future academies will likely be held. Also on the schedule is a January, 2016 academy on excise and licensing. E-mail Margie at zoningplanning@denverinc.org for more info.  Margie also discussed the potential for upcoming legislation regulating short-term rentals in Denver, including AirBnB. City Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman is the chair of that committee overseeing the potential regulation of short-term rentals of properties.

What One Thing Would You Change?

In his ongoing effort to draw out the neighbors, encourage folks to get to know one another, and liven up monthly meetings, GPHC, Inc. President Dave Felice posed a question to attendees: If there was one thing you could change in the world, what would it be? Here are a few of the answers from the crowd: To reverse acidification in our plant’s oceans; To hear cats speak; To find a way to provide homes for homeless people; World peace; End cruelty to animals; Provide better medical care to veterans; More diversity and understanding in the neighborhood; Improve the stormwater drainage in Park Hill; A living wage for all; Change bad attitudes; and witness a ridiculously high voter turnout in November.

Get Spooky With Phil Goodstein

If it’s October it must mean noted Denver historian, author and Park Hill native Phil Goodstein is going bump in the night. A number of spooky tours involving the notable ghosts and otherworld occurrences are planned in Denver neighborhoods throughout the month.

Crown Hill Cemetery, Sunday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Gather at the parking lot along the main road of the graveyard, just west of the administration building along West 29th Avenue about two blocks west of Wadsworth Boulevard. Cost is $10. For more info, check out LeonardLeonard.com/neighborhoods/walkingtours

Ghosts of Cheesman Park, Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Meet at the wooden gazebo near the equivalent of 12th Avenue and Gilpin Street. It is directly south of the RTD bus stop on the 12th Avenue loop in the park. Cost is $10.

Capitol Hill Ghost Walks

Saturday, Oct. 17, Friday, Oct. 23, Saturday, Oct. 24, Friday, Oct. 30, Saturday, Oct. 31, all ghost walks are 7 to 9 p.m. Meet at the statute of the Indian on the east lawn of the Capitol along Grant Street between Colfax and 14th avenues. Cost is $20.