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Week of January 6, 2022
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
EnglewoodHerald.net
VOLUME 101 | ISSUE 47
Tri-County extends school mask order; metro mandates continue Tri-County, other metro counties’ indoor mask mandates still in effect BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
was sparked by pushback from residents, according to Englewood Open Space Manager Dave Lee. The proposal has gained attention from area skaters, something that Lee said was evident during a Dec. 14 open house the city held for community members to provide feedback on the project. “Typically, when we have an open house regarding improvements in a park, we may get a dozen or two people to provide comments,” Lee said. “On Dec. 14, we had between 30 and 40 skate-park individuals who came to weigh in on what they would like to see in the park. It’s important to them.” The proposal has brought on
Facing what could be a dramatically steep surge in new cases of COVID-19 in Colorado amid the spread of the omicron variant, several metro Denver counties announced they would continue their local mask mandates. In Adams and Arapahoe counties, a school mask mandate will be extended, and a broader mandate for masks in public indoor spaces will continue, according to Tri-County Health Department. With the surge in cases “it makes sense to continue with as many prevention practices as possible to protect the health of everyone in Adams and Arapahoe counties,” said a statement from Becky O’Guin, spokesperson for Tri-County Health. “We also need to help protect our frontline workers who have worked exhaustively for the last two years.” Hospital capacity remains “very tight,” and surges in omicron cases are likely to further aggravate the situation, according to a Dec. 28 news release from the Colorado Health Institute.
SEE PARK, P13
SEE MASKS, P21
A city draft shows plans to rebuild a skatepark at Cushing Park north of the area’s parking lot and away from homes. COURTESY OF CITY OF ENGLEWOOD
Skate park planned for relocation in Cushing City’s plans garner attention from users of current facility BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Three parks in Englewood are slated to be renovated this summer after the city approved $3 million for updates to Baker, Centennial and Cushing parks last October. Renovations are set to include new sidewalks, restrooms and sheltered picnic areas as well as updates to playground areas. But perhaps the most high-profile change will center around Cushing
Park and plans to scrap a nearly 30-year-old skate park and replace it with a new one in a different area of Cushing. The plan evokes years of controversy dating back to at least 2007, when residents of homes along West Eastman Avenue, which sits adjacent to the skate park, railed against unwanted noise and litter that they said was a result of the park and its skaters. One resident told the city council at the time that she had called the police after she believed skaters at the park were responsible for property damage and theft at her home. Now, 15 years later, the city plans to move the skate park to the north end of Cushing’s parking lot away from homes, something that
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LOCAL FLAVOR
International tastes are coming home P14