Volume 54, Issue No. 3
A Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Publication
March 2015
Left: One proposal in the Denver Zoo Master Plan is an architectural zoo fence. Artist rendering provided by Andrew Rowan, Denver Zoo.; Center: The art installation, Avian Front, creates visual interest through a flowing sinuous structure based on the microstructure of a bird feather.; Right: The historic City Park Pumphouse, now used as a maintenance facility. 100 feet of reclaimed historic brick fencing replacing the existing chain link would showcase the historic building. Many pedestrians currently can be observed either unconsciously moving away from this building when walking by or deliberately avoiding this edge of the park. Photos by Greg Davis
City Park Border Marred By Chain Link Fence, Poor Passageways A Vision for Aesthetic Improvements
By Greg Davis On Dec. 15, the Denver City Council granted a certificate of designation to operate a gasification system in a building adjacent to Duck Lake in City Park. Some citizens rallied against this decision focusing on the aesthetic of the building itself. Fast-forward two months. The Denver Zoo hosted its first public meeting related to the Denver Zoo Master Plan, a significant
topic within being the look of this building. I have thought about this frequently over the past two months, questioning what is missing in terms of how the zoo aesthetic works within City Park. After awhile, a vision materialized, and I’m providing this to briefly summarize that vision with you. The goal within is not a fix to a singular building, but to use the Denver Master Planning process as an opportunity to improve the co-existence of the Denver Zoo within City Park.
Drawing people into the interior The greatest single asset of City Park is the iconic view to the west from the Museum of Nature and Science. It is so cherished that this view has been protected for future generations by designating it as a “historic viewplane.” However, for most visitors not living immediately adjacent to the park, the exploration of the park ends there. A lack of visual interest and pedestrian pathways cre-
ate a disincentive for visitors to explore the park’s interior. This is most pronounced at the southern border of the Denver Zoo. This border currently largely consists of a chain link fence with poor pedestrian passageways, the center of which is occupied by a Denver Parks and Recreation maintenance facility. Many pedestrians can be observed either unconsciously moving away from this continued on page 20
Adventures in The Emerald Isle An Interview With Musician By Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
After several years in Ireland, Park Hill native Joanna Hyde recently returned to Denver to pursue music with her longtime music partner and brother, Iain. Ms. Hyde has played classical & folk music from an early age. She graduated with a music degree from Colorado College, and headed to Ireland on a scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for an MA in Irish Traditional Music – playing pubs and festivals and other venues. Back in Denver, the Hydes just finished performing and recording with Joanna’s boyfriend, Tadhg O’Meachair, a musician from Dublin. The sister and brother duo are
getting ready for upcoming shows in Denver around St. Patrick’s Day, and then Joanna Hyde plans to spend time making music in Colorado, Ireland, and elsewhere – including a trip this summer to perform at a festival in Akureyri, Iceland. She recently shared some details of her adventures in the Emerald Isle: Greater Park Hill News: Why did you pick Ireland to live, and why did you pick Irish music to play? Joanna Hyde: Growing up, our parents generously provided us with myriad musical experiences, from classical violin lessons to summer music camps where we learned numerous styles. Along the way, we were introduced to Irish music at a music camp
In Memory of Jessica Hernandez The Jan 26 police killing in Park Hill of Jessica Hernandez set off a series of vigils, protests, demands for a federal investigation, and tributes to the 17-year old girl. Police fired on Hernandez, who was in a stolen vehicle with four friends, in the early morning hours, after they had been parked in the alley between Newport and Niagara streets and 25th and 26th avenues. An officer sustained a leg injury during the confrontation. On February 19, dozens of Hernandez’s family and friends gathered in vigil in the alley where she was killed, and created a memorial in her honor. Turn to page 18 for a story about what has transpired since the shooting, and additional photos. Photo by Cara DeGette
Summer Camps: A Guide To Fun In 2015
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The Perennial Question: How To Be Heard
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Inside This Issue
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March 2015
Joanna Hyde
Law Would Protect Citizens Videotaping Cops
Next GPHC Meeting Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. 2823 Fairfax St., Denver
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