All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1961 • Volume 56, Issue No. 1 • January 2017
Inside This Issue PAGE 2
Jump In, Join In
Schools Update | Lynn Kalinauskas
Editor’s Note: New Year, New Look, New Website
Ways To Help In The ‘Hood
PAGE 4
By Tracey MacDermott Board Chair, GPHC, Inc.
By Lynn Kalinauskas On Dec. 15, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education passed a resolution to co-locate DSST Conservatory Green High
School next to Northfield High School on the Paul Sandoval Campus, in Stapleton. The section of Park Hill between Monaco
PAGE 16
Board Extends Support To Northfield After Contentious Hearing
PAGE 8
continued on page 12
DPS To Build Charter High School Next To Northfield High
PAGE 5
As we say goodbye to 2016 and welcome in 2017 I would like to invite all of you to come and be a part of your community. Greater Park Hill Community (GPHC) did a tremendous amount of good work in 2016. All tallied, members of this community put in more than 13,350 hours volunteering for various projects, events and meetings. Our Garden Walk Committee organized another amazing tour of the best gardens right in our backyard. They also worked with the Park Hill Library to improve the landscape around the building at 4705 E. Montview Blvd. (See the story below for details.) I Tracey look forward to the MacDermott new blossoms coming in spring and hope you are able to go see it for yourself. Our Home Tour committee once again highlighted spectacular homes and introduced us to churches in our community. The work of both the Garden and Home Tour Committees help raise money to continue our work as your Registered Neighborhood Association, support various projects and help feed our neighbors. GPHC is committed to partnering with the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District to improve the corridor, which will help beautify, attract business and make Colfax a safe and vibrant street. GPHC is also working to become a sustainable neighborhood. This program encourages neighborhoods to reduce emissions, create conservation of our ecosystems, promote energy efficiency and encourage use of renewable energy sources, conserve water resources and improve water quality, and encourage our residents through community interaction and partnerships. Currently, at our offices we implement a little-to-no-waste policy. We are working on bringing you workshops this year on how to protect yourself from large storms and ways to improve water quality. We will also be presenting other programs to help us achieve the Sustainable Neighborhood status with the city. If you are reading this article you are reading our award-winning newspaper. The Greater Park Hill News will continue its journalism excellence by bringing you the stories and issues about our city and neighborhood. Your newspaper is delivered to your home by a dedicated group of volunteers. I hope you have enjoyed reading your newspaper. 2017 will bring change to us. We will be saying goodbye to our executive director, Rebecca Born. Rebecca and her husband, along with a new baby, will be moving to Japan. Rebecca has been a terrific executive director, and has helped us grow as an organization. Her vibrant spirit and endless talent will be missed. With goodbyes comes a new hello. Please welcome our new Executive Director Sierra Fleenor. Sierra has a
MLK Marade Jan. 16
Bolt From The Blue
Legislature Kicks Off January 11. Hold On Tight.
Best And Brightest Books of 2016
Next GPHC Meeting is on Thursday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m., 2823 Fairfax St., Denver All are welcome to attend
continued on page 14
Volunteers reworked and expanded the garden at the Park Hill Branch Library, at Montview Boulevard and Dexter Street. In Spring, the beds are expected to explode with Knock Out roses, Veronica, Dwarf Shasta Daisies, Stella Daylilies, and more. Photos by Tara Bannon Williamson
A Garden, A Library, A Partnership Park Hill Library Garden Set To Blossom In Spring, Courtesy of GPHC By Tara Bannon Williamson Senior Librarian – Park Hill Branch
Beneath the gleaming blanket of snow, slumber the buds of Spring. Love and devotion for our community nourish the roots that deepen and thrive, though they remain unseen. Because of the leadership and generosity of the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc and Park Hill Garden Walk, the Park Hill Branch Library received landscaping rejuvenation in the garden beds facing Montview Boulevard in October. As longtime collaborators, the library has proudly been a ticket sale location for the Park Hill Garden Walk that happens each year. Demonstrating remarkable patience and fortitude, Helen Quinn, Barbara Ar-
mendariz, Patty Mead, Carla Finch and Tracey MacDermott of the Garden Walk Committee spearheaded the effort to launch this project in collaboration with the library. Their gardening knowledge and eye for design were complemented by the expertise of Jose Chavez of JS Landscaping, whose company skillfully completed the work. While some plants that had overgrown their spaces were removed, many more new plants were added. The gentle winds and soft rains of Spring will welcome Knock Out roses, Veronica, Dwarf Shasta Daisies, Stella Daylilies, Zebra Grass, Dwarf Lilacs and Rose of Sharon. The symmetrical placement will be restful and uncluttered. The plants were selected for their beauty as well as their minimal needs for water, demonstrating thoughtful environmental planning that reflects Park Hill values.
The subtly fragrant flowers will waft and greet neighbors as they use the library, as will a plaque commemorating this gift and thanking the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. and Park Hill Garden Walk with the quote, If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need, by the Roman philosopher, Cicero. Sadly, it is true that you cannot please everyone. While watering our new plants this past Fall, I heard from several neighbors as they walked their dog that their beloved canines would really miss sniffing and relieving themselves on the recently removed Juniper bushes. Despite the olfactory absence for Man’s Best Friend, we hope that our human neighbors will enjoy this continuing collaboration between historic Park Hill institutions.