INC PARC (Parks and Recreaction Committee) met May 17 at Brookdale, 2020 S. Monroe Street. Present were: co-chairs Cindy Johnstone and Maggie Price, Katie Fisher, Kathleen Wells, George Mayl, Jay and Kathleen Rust, Ronnie Crawford, Marlene Johnson, Diana Helper, Herb Kindsfater, Terry Quilliver, John Joseph Neimann, Greg Sorenson, and guests from DPR Kris Wilson and Fred Weiss.

Fred talked about Public Event Permitting Policy and Rules and Regulation. Drafts of these were sent to PARC members shortly before this meeting.

Public Event Rules and Regs Draft

They (Parks and Recs) are under time constraints to have all complete by August, DPR needs public input. Park facility-rentals for 2017 are granted beginning October ’16. PARC input included using 2016 rules in 2017 to provide time to get this completed properly. Because Denver’s population is growing much faster than its ability to open new parks to accommodate so many people, there are more requests for park use than can be filled, which must be explained to the public. Some present policies are no longer useful. Future plans could include raising fees and fines and adding on-site enforcement at events. Formula for capacity must include surrounding area impact. To help RNOs use parks, produce clear guidance brochure.

Fred will return to PARC June 21 for further discussion. All advised to read materials and be ready to comment. Kathleen Rust said you may send comments to her for inclusion at a Stakeholders’ meeting is June 6 at rustkj@aol.com.  Bottom line: Growing Denver must provide more parks for the livability, mental and physical good health of its people.

A 2016 Park Rest Period Survey from DPR was believed to be not reliable by PARC by not providing sufficient information and time to evaluate rest periods for thoughtful answers. INC Parks and Rec asked DPR to interpret survey replies mindfully of limited time.

Jay Rust Handed out copies of the PRAB recommendations for the 2017 Parks and Rec. budget.  He also briefed us on the current status of park designations – to date 749 acres of park land has be designated. Round 7 is being worked on.

Jay talked about recycled water . Jay and Bridget Walsh independently testified on proposed changes to State Reg. 84 regarding new uses of recycled water  — they addressed the addition of irrigation of crops for human consumption; addition of livestock washdowns and accumulation of dissolved solids.  It will be studied by Colorado Dept of Public Health and Public Environment(CDPHPE). Jay stated there is a need for Denver Water to take the lead in testing for other elements in the recycled water besides what is required by CDPHPE . Katie mentioned concern for new ideas for water-play features using recycled water.

Wynkoop Plaza Fountain. Note example only, no use of recyled water is meant to be implied.

May Recycled Water meeting with DPR and Denver Water was positive with cooperation by both entities to do short term remediation and develop long term strategies. There will be data gathering this summer to establish a baseline for remediation strategies. It was acknowledged that there are other factors effecting trees but the sodium in the recycle water is contributing.

Ronnie Crawford reported on his S. Platte personal tour with Kim Morse. Denver Trout Unlimited is another organization with eyes on the water and effect of storm water runoff.

INC has received and posted the  US Core of Engineers report on Cherry Creek Dam which shows the extent of flooding possible which includes Hentzell Park.

REPORT IS HERE

Next Park Mtg. 6-8 PM Tue., June 21. – Diana Helper, PARC member