INC PARC met Nov. 15. at 2020 S. Monroe. Present were co-chairs Cindy Johnstone and Maggie Price, Katie Fisher, Diana Helper, Marlene Johnson, Larry Ambrose, Myles Tangalin, Amber Clark and Dee Turner. Scheduled speaker Tim O’Brien was ill, will be rescheduled.

There were thus nine speakers, as all present had a good deal to say. Katie reported on PRAB, where she is “the citizen” who attends regularly. The new Parks Designation Policy was presented. After the PRAB discussion about the policy, there was agreement that the policy should provide a list of all parks and include reasons for not designating those still undesignated.  The Policy was voted in without including the agreed addition. The Forestry Code Update which had been deemed not ready for vote because of  short notice to PRAB,  was voted in without further study. There will be no PRAB meeting in Dec. A report is due out in December on the quality of water and soil in parks.

Maggie reported that Brad Cameron was unable to attend this meeting but had sent email detailing new designations of park land. His email included round 8 and proposed round 9 of designations.  Round 8 was scheduled for hearing before LUDI ( a council committee)  on 11/15/16.  Although he did not have a list of parkland readily available at the time of his email, he stated that a 102 acre parcel known as the “Sand Creek Open Space” would be included in the designation.  Round 9 designations would have to go to a second reading of city council. The proposed list for designation in the spring is Aqua Golf, Overland Pond Park, Southwest Recreation Center Grounds, Confluence East Park, Lindsley Park (partial) and Un-named Asbury & Tejon Park (partial).

Cindy reported on the Game Plan and DenveRight meetings. Survey returns highlight need for parks that are equable, affordable and accessible, and for more trees. PARC discussed a particular need for more green spaces to be added not only in large parks but in many small spaces within the city such as areas at bus stops, train stations, pocket parks in small public “left-over” spots, more- and affordable- benches, closing off streets in certain places to traffic on Sundays for ped/bike folks to enjoy. Cindy also said Washington Park will get separated bike and ped. paths, playground redesigned, tree study report.

Marlene said the parks in her Hampden Hts. Area are busier, with two events in Rosemond Park, and an organized system of dog-bag volunteers keeping sites replenished. The RNO has been promised a ped-Xing light “when city funding is found” to make it safer to access the park.

Larry reported Sloan’s Lake park is crowded, and one of its concessionaires was allowed several parking places and to erect a tuff-shed type of building to store his wares, taking up public park space. He urged PARC to address the cause of preventing such sheds in public parks, and stand up for thoughtful planning and use of all parks. He spoke of a “Save Historic City Park Golf Club and Globeville Landing Park” benefit showing of the movie “Chinatown” with Jack Nicholson, which is set for Dec. 7 at 6:15 p.m. at SIE cinema on E. Colfax Ave.  A discussion will follow.

Myles said the Colfax/Josephine Rec Center will include a dog park, and PARC discussed dog parks (they do not have to be on grass), and other park uses including City Park (Zoo, golf course).   Also PARC discussed prairie spaces and the ongoing project to improve Prairie Park, the search for reasons ADA can have park space removed for unexplained concrete construction, a need to return Cheesman Park to “community” rather than “event” use,  a need to study demographic trends for park planning, continued need for event notification, and a city budget inclusion of funds for sidewalks in parks.

PARC will not meet in December, next meeting Tue., Jan. 17, 6-8 p.m. at 2020 S. Monroe St. (Brookdale). – Diana Helper

Tickets can be purchased on line at http://secure.denverfilm.org/tickets/film.aspx?id=22022

http://secure.denverfilm.org/tickets/film.aspx?id=22022