The Passing of the Torch
New GPHC Board Chair Roberta Locke takes over the role from LeAnn Anderson
At the Annual Meeting of the Greater Park Hill Community, Roberta Locke became the new Board Chair of the organization, replacing LeAnn Anderson who had served a one-year term. Anderson and Locke sat down with the GPHN to reflect on the year behind and the year ahead.
What are your proudest achievements / What do you want to accomplish for the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.?
Anderson: I most proud of defeating the Liquor Store application at 33rd and Holly, which has allowed the current development and transition at the site.
Locke: I would very much like to put together a coalition of neighbors and businesses to devise a plan to bring more economic and business development to the 2800 block of Fairfax. We have so few commercial areas in Park Hill that it’s a shame to not make better use of this opportunity right in the middle of Park Hill. I would like to be able to attract more businesses to join with the viable businesses that are already on the block.
What do you think the GPHC does best?
Anderson: It serves as a resource for neighbors and businesses. The GPHC has gone through several transitions since I’ve been a part of it – each transition brings with it an end but also a new beginning. Here are a few highlights: The food pantry has reopened and serving neighbors in need. The newspaper has a new look thanks to the new Editor, Graphic Artist, Sales Advertising representative, and Executive Committee. The organization has added the Evening of the Arts and the 4th of July Parade to its longstanding Home Tour, Garden Walk and Family Bike Ride community events.
Locke: The organization is extremely resilient and continues on year after year with old people and new people cycling in and out. Since it’s an all-volunteer organization, the focus will change as its members change but it is always, first and foremost, the face of the Greater Park Hill Community. It takes on issues of importance to the community and provides a strong, collective voice.
What are the challenges facing a modern-day Registered Neighborhood Organization?
Anderson: Involvement: it takes community to build community. In today’s busy world, it’s a challenge to get people involved.
Locke: Lack of participation on the part of the residents. People tend to come to GPHC and other RNOs when they have a problem, but are not involved otherwise. We need more active participation to help address some of these problems in their early stages. Since GPHC is a volunteer organization, it can do only as much as its volunteers are able to do or interested in doing. We would be able to provide more services to the community and to apply for and receive grants for programs if we had adequate numbers of volunteers to help.
How did you originally get involved in the GPHC and what kept you involved?
Anderson: I originally got involved in the Park Hill organization as a volunteer blockworker. Our block was covered, but the block across the street was not, so I became that block’s blockworker for the Greater Park Hill Newspaper. Although I am no longer a blockworker, I still love the Greater Park Hill Newspaper!
Locke: I became involved when neighborhood activist, Liz Kreider, in response to gang activity in Park Hill, formed the Sector Leaders group. We divided Park Hill into sectors with representatives from each sector. It was the sector leaders responsibility to gather and disseminate information to the neighbors in their sector. It was a very successful bit of organizing. We started the Halloween curfew, the ghost posts to help parents and children feel safe, we were instrumental in developing the nuisance property policy of the city and helped to bring attention to traffic and safety issues, to mention a few things.
Since you came aboard, what positions have you held in the organization?
Anderson: Since I came aboard, I have served as the Zoning Co-Chair. I served terms as the Chair and Chair-Elect. I have been a District Representative, and also serve on the Executive Committee.
Locke: Since I came aboard in 1993, I have been a member of the Executive Committee, the Fundraising Chair, the Home Tour Chair and, now, the Board Chair.
Out of all the neighborhoods in Denver, why did you make Park Hill home?
Anderson: We made Park Hill home because we found a home we loved, at a price we could afford. It was our last day to “look” at properties. We drove up in front of the house, it was snowing and the previous owner was out shoveling the sidewalk. We stayed and “looked” at the house for over 2 hours. When we made an offer later that evening, the seller lowered the price by $5,000 so it would be in our price range. We always say, Park Hill, actually our home in Park Hill, picked us!
Locke: I married into it! My husband moved to Denver, bought a home in Park Hill, met and married me. We then promptly moved to Anchorage, AK, for a few years but returned to Park Hill where I have raised my family.
You can always reach the chair of the Greater Park Hill Community organization by emailing chair@greaterparkhill.org.