Tuesday, September 18, 2012

2020 S. Monroe (Heritage Club)

6:00pm-8:00pm

MINUTES OF THE AUGUST PARC MEETING:

INC Parks and Recreation Committee (PARC) met at 6 p.m. August 21 at the Heritage Club. Present were co-chairs Maggie Price and Katie Fisher, Steve Fisher, Marlene Johnson, Kathleen and Jay Rust, Cathy Donohue, Ronnie Crawford, Michele Fuerst, Diana Helper, and from DPR Angela Casias. Guest presenters were Polly Reetz and Nance Stocker of the Audubon Society.

 PARC discussed the draft of a letter stating PARC’s comments and questions regarding the proposed Dustin Redd Playground at City Park. Edits and suggested revisions are to be sent to Maggie ASAP.

 Several concerns from University Park were discussed, and answered or noted by Angela. Art in Parks comes primarily from the city 1% for Public Art. She also told of the free movie night downtown, and later described the new park planned for the Heron Pond as a beautiful green space with bike trails. A meeting is set for 9/12 at 5:30 at Stapleton Rec Center.

 Ms. Reetz and Ms. Stocker presented information in opposition to the proposed plan to enlarge Chatfield Reservoir, home to some 350 bird species. It would mean a loss of a major recreation area, just when a large residential area is to be built nearby. PARC recommended that, to gain strong allies, they inform the jurisdictions and towns which studies show will lose water if the plan is adopted. RNOs are urged to convey opinions to the Corps of Engineers and the Governor. An alternative is to store water in the emptying aquifer.

 PARC agreed a thank-you letter be written to DPR Manager Lauri Dannemiller for her quick and forthright response to concerns at Washington Park and other Denver parks. Diana will write it.

Concerns sent by email from Dave Felice were discussed. Some items are still not fully reported; others will be considered in depth by the newly formed Resources, Allocation and Priorities Project (RAPP). Kathleen Wells and Cindy Johnstone are INC reps on RAPP. Diana presented Kathleen’s report from the organizational meeting. She and Cindy will report at PARC next month.

Among the City Goals for 2013 in the proposal for use of TABOR tax money (CB12-0566) is “Improve Denver’s Parks irrigation and maintenance.” City Council approved this inclusion on August 20, when DPR Mgr. Dannemiller and a number of Councilpersons spoke earnestly in its support. This bill would send a question to the November ballot for Denver voters. Jay suggested INC support this issue. Michele said the fountain at Stapleton park had been constructed poorly and repairs were costing $250,000…a use of irrigation/maintenance money?

Maggie spoke about the Congress Park neighborhood, commenting on the difficulty of encouraging neighborhood involvement. Several agreed this is a concern in many areas.

Katie reported that Cathy Calder did not wish to be on the new Parks Public Engagement committee, and Cathy Donohue had never received a letter from DPR about it. Katie has one other person to check with, and Kathleen Rust agreed to serve if necessary.

Ronnie reported that fishing is good in the S. Platte, and he has been working with the State Biologist on stocking fish. At the Denver County Fair the booth for the S. Platte Greenway showed future destinations with kayaking, fishing, etc. Funds are being raised.

The meeting ended at 8:15 p.m. Next meeting: September 18.
Diana Helper, PARC member