| 9.A. Should Community Planning and Development include regional park planning in its scope of work? Yes/No | 9.B. Why? | |
| MAYORAL CANDIDATES | ||
| Matt Brady | Yes | There is a need to do studies and surveys of residents present use of open spaces, the amount of people useing parks and when. We need projections of park use with any increase in population density. |
| Jim Walsh | Yes | This planning must have a regional focus as Denver is not an island, but is interconnected with the surrounding region. |
| Trinidad Rodriguez | Yes | There are important opportunities in enhancing the quality of the public realm if/when the conversation is limited to parks. |
| Mike Johnston | Yes | Regional cooperation is key to ensuring we have parks that are accessible to the widest range of people. Many Denverites travel outside of the city limits to enjoy regional parks, and our city should be committed to working with others in our region to make those parks the best they can be. |
| Chris Hansen | Yes | We need to look at the larger picture and ensure that our plans coordinate with one another. |
| Lisa Calderón | Yes | Yes, which is why I support the protection of the conservation easement at Park Hill Golf Course to create a regional park. As noted above, parks are a central part of community planning and development. We need a holistic approach to planning that recognizes the intersection of issues like green space, affordable housing, environmental justice, and human health. When these issues are considered in isolation, we miss opportunities to create co-benefits and mutually reinforcing systems that achieve multiple goals at once, and produce the most benefit for every dollar spent. Moreover, the legacy of unequal access to greenspace, and its benefits, is a product of community planning and development that has favored certain communities over others. As mayor, as noted above, I would make sure community planning processes not only include extensive community engagement, but prioritize including communities typically excluded from political decision-making processes. By including parks in these processes, Black and Brown communities would have better opportunities to receive the same benefits offered by parks and open spaces. |
| Kelly Brough | Yes | We have to ensure our residents close to the borders of our city have access to parks, whether or not they are Denver’s. Further, Denver’s Mountain Park System must be part of our planning. I generally support a regional approach to addressing both opportunities and challenges we face. Finally, I believe more could and should be done to ensure better alignment between city agencies, likely including alignment between Parks and Recreation and Community Planning and Development and even Denver Public School assets, as we develop our priorities. And, I always welcome the chance to learn more. |
| Renate Behrens | Yes | see before. Rentals and parks (essential) should be one unit |
| Deborah “Debbie” Ortega | This should be left to the parks department, that would require interfacing with CPD to address open space needs that will benefit new and existing neighborhoods. | |
| PAUL NOEL FIORINO (write-in) | Yes | More PARKS and Greenspace will enhance any neighborhood and community gardens already demonstrate. The Park Hill project is another chance to make a statement about your Greenspace, no matter what you call it. Community space is needed in every way, and a Park can serve everyone. Mayor Fiorino for Denver is to write. |
| Thomas Wolf | Yes | As stated above, for our citizen’s and planet’s health, but also park or greenspace ratio requirements are much more critical as we urbanize than other antiquated metric such as parking ratios. |
| Dr. Abass Yaya Bamba | Yes | Park is part of the societal landscape of the wellbeing of the community. Therefore, any community planning should include regional park planning. My administration will support any new idea for the benefit of the community. |
| Terrance Roberts | Yes | Yes for all of the reasons listed above. Parks are a central part of our city being able to boast any kind of greatness, no city brags it’s the concrete capital of the country. |
| AUDITOR | ||
| Timothy M. O’Brien | Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation currently manages planning for park development and acquisition. Best practices support centralized decision-making and clear documentation of roles and responsibilities because both lead to more efficient use of resources and clear authority. | |
| Erik Clarke | Yes | Community Planning and Development doesn’t only focus on development services. The city planning focus of the office, in terms of long-term and short-term planning activities, should prioritize expanding green space in our city to reduce the heat island effect, improve air quality, and increase quality of life in every neighborhood. |
