1-Color
April 17, 2014
50 cents Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 69, Issue 23 A publication of
westminsterwindow.com
Public meeting discusses uses for future park By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ coloradocommunity media.com The first of two public meetings was conducted on the future Clear Creek Valley Park site in south Adams County. The meeting on April 10 was hosted by the Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District and MIG, the design firm on the project. Located immediately north of Interstate 76 between Lowell Boulevard and Tennyson Street, the Clear Creek Valley Park site is an 86-acre parcel owned by Hyland Hills. With assistance from Adams County Open Space grant money, in 2002 the district began the process of acquiring the land. In 2007, the district developed a multi-use design plan for the area
to include trails and open space. The goal of the public meeting was to solicit input from the community on the design plan, hear comments and answer questions. Since the original design plan was developed in 2007, Paul Kuhn MIG senior associate said it’s important to hear from the residents now on what they want in the park. “The 2007 plan is a good plan, but things can change and we want to hear from people on what they want changed and what they want to stay the same,” Kuhn said. “We want to make sure we are hitting all of the right notes.” Terry Barnhart, a planner with Hyland Hills, said it’s important to have a plan that meets the needs of the district. Ideas for the park include a wide range of uses including: multi-use turf field, chil-
dren’s play area, picnic shelters, walking trails, fishing and piers at the multiple ponds, paddle boating, sand volley ball courts, amphitheater, farmers market and a skate park. During the meeting, attendees participated in a dot priority exercise to vote for the most important aspects wanted in the park. “In 2007, we decided to have 70 percent remain as open space and trails and 30 percent would be a more active area,” Barnhart said. “We are sticking to that plan.” Because of the multiple ponds in the park, some residents were concerned with mosquitoes and others were concerned with the future of the tree farm in the area. Park continues on Page 4
The Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District hosted a public meeting on April 10 on the Clear Creek Valley Park site to gain input on the design plan for the 86-acre park located immediately north of I-76 between Lowell Boulevard and Tennyson Street in south Adams County. Photo by Ashley Reimers
IrvIng Street entertaInS
Mountain Range High School Mustang Nirvana Maldonado runs through a fan-filled tunnel after her name is announced during the first unified basketball game on April 8 at Westminster High School. The Mustangs took on the Horizon Hawks in front of a packed gym. Photo by Ashley Reimers
New sports program highlights social inclusion By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ coloradocommunitymedia.com For the first time in the Adams 12 Five Star School District, student athletes and students with disabilities came together on one court, competing in a unified basketball game on April 8. In front of a packed gym, the Mountain Range Mustangs, the home team, took on the Horizon Hawks in a game where winning and losing wasn’t the most important thing. Instead, the goal focused on inclusion and teamwork. The game was the first of five in the new Unified Sports Program in Adams 12. Collaborating with the Colorado Special Olympics, the athletic department and student support services worked for a year to integrate the program and offer a co-ed basketball league that consists of teams from all five comprehensive high schools made up of students with and without dis-
abilities. Eddie Hartnett, director of district athletics and activities for Adams 12, said the Unified Sports Program is a nationally renowned program found in many other districts in and out of Colorado. He said the program is dedicated to social inclusion through shared sports trainings and competitive experiences. “We are really excited to have the program in the district,” he said. “It’s been quite the learning experience or all of us, the students, administration and the coaches. But the program is also impacting all of us at the same time. It’s been very positive.” Hartnett said it’s really special to see the student athletes work one-on-one with the students with disabilities. “As these student athletes work with Sports continues on Page 4
POSTAL ADDRESS
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.
Musician Eric West performs during Irving Street Library’s 10th anniversary celebration on April 12. The day also included free hot dogs and cookies for patrons as well as zoo animals from the Denver Zoo. Photo by Ashley Reimers