INC PARC Meeting March 19 2019

In attendance: Brad Cameron, Ronnie Crawford, Cindy Johnstone, Katie Fisher, Steve Fisher, Maggie Price, Greg Sorenson

Program: Brian Kurzel and Caitlyn Shaughnessy of the National Wildlife Federation. Denver Parks and Recs are looking engage a Community Wildlife Habitat certification program in the Parks.

National Wildlife Federation has a collaboration with Denver Parks and Recs . There are many concerns in our communities about density and livability. Creating and managing our open space will also provide more livability. In the past many people came to Denver/Colorado for the mountains and life in the high country. Now newcomers may never go to our mountains and stay in city or suburbs. They need the benefits of out doors and nature. 80% of our population lives in urban front. Near by green space has been shown to increases profit in shopping centers and rental units are more likely to be rented at higher cost if close to green space. Climate change is evident in Colorado and will probably take the form of more rain rather than snow. More park land needs to be purchased but it is a challenge because of the lack of available land and the wealth of some of the developers. Green space can occur in small areas, roof tops and pocket parks. Habitats can be many things, Brian and Caitlyn encourage people to get certification for their personal habitats. Patios and small garden spots can be certified as long because they can provide habitats for pollinators and birds. The more small certified habitats that Denver contains allows it to become a certified wildlife city. NWF is working with Denver Parks and Recs, Botanic Garden, Publicworks to that end. City is planting milkweed in parks to attract more butterfly species. ECHO is a program designed for young children 0-7 to learn to interact with nature from the beginning of their lives. The intent is to make the concept of the need for nature inherent to their lives as they grow into adults.

Discussion ensued regarding the impact of the Game Plan and our open spaces. PARC voiced their concern about the Game Plan and plans for alternative land uses for golf courses and the possible future development of further open space. Brian offered to give voice to our concerns regarding overlapping concerns in Game Plan and NWF goals. A reminder of the past trade of public land (Henzell Park) by the present administration was given. Brad told NWF about the designation process and the past and future progress. The next designation will be a portion of City Park Golf Course. It was discovered that during the 1955 designation process, a portion was under lease and not owned outright by the City. That 80 acres will be designated in the upcoming round. On May 11 NWF is scheduled to appear at the INC delegate meeting.

FURTHER ITEMS

Katie reported that the Game Plan will go to the PRAB April 15. Cindy and Maggie plan to attend.

Cindy and Maggie reported that they have put together another letter listing our concerns about items lacking in the game plan. The letter will be sent to Parks and Recs, CPD, PRAB and Council. Our previous letter voicing our concerns were largely ignored and without response.

A brief discussion of the committee from INC to study impact of I300 and its possible recommendations. PARC recommended members and their neighbors review the video of the presentation at the last INC meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 7:15

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE