‘Victory For The People’
The Odds Seemed Impossible, But It Happened. The Park Hill Golf Course Is On Track To Become Denver’s Fourth-Largest Park
Story
and photos
by Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
An eight-year struggle to protect the former Park Hill Golf Course from development ended last month, suddenly and, it appears, decisively.
At a Jan. 15 press conference on the grounds of the now-defunct golf course, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced the deal: Westside Investment Partners has agreed to swap the 155-acre property it’s owned for nearly six years at 35th and Colorado Boulevard for a 145acre commercial piece of land owned by Denver just south of Denver International Airport.
There are numerous additional details, but the upshot is the golf course property will become the fourth largest park in the city. It is
the largest acquisition of parkland since Washington Park was added more than a century ago.
“The last time this city opened a park of this size, people came to the press conference in a horse and buggy,” Johnston told the assembled group of citizens and open space activists, city officials and reporters.
“They came here before the world had ever seen a world war — that is the scale of how long it’s been since folks have come together from different parts of the city with different beliefs and different backgrounds to be able to say, let’s deliver something historic.”
“This,” added Denver Parks and Recreation Director Jolon Clark, “is a big deal.”
What makes this big deal utterly
remarkable is that, were it not for a grassroots group of open space advocates, the property would be — with the blessing and the direct help of a former mayor and City Hall — well on its way to becoming the city’s latest commercial and residential development project.
Story and photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
It’s billed as Denver’s best two weeks in January, and despite some wicked cold temperatures this year, that claim is undeniably true. The 2025 National Western Stock Show returned to the Denver Coliseum and the National Western Complex from Jan. 11 to 26. The never-ending series of events
included various versions of rodeos nearly every night, including the “Colorado Versus The World Rodeo,” which kicked off the festivities on Jan. 11. That big event was followed by the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza on Jan. 12, then three nights of hair-raising Professional Bull Riders’ performances, plus the annual MLK Jr. African American Heritage continued on page 6
Westside’s money and power Westside, a deep-pocketed developer based in Glendale, Colo. paid $24 million for the land in 2019. At that time, the closed golf course property was protected by a city-owned conservation easement, which was supposed to forever procontinued on page 4
Matador Isaac Leal Montalvo engages with a Spanish fighting bull at the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza on Jan. 12. The bullfights during this and other Stock Show rodeos were bloodless, meaning no bulls were injured or killed.
From left, Woody Garnsey, Mayor Mike Johnston and Penfield Tate at the Jan. 15 announcement that the Park Hill Golf Course property will be a regional park.
Febru A
Celebrate Black Artistry
Mile High Animation, along with Sie Filmcenter and the Art Students League of Denver, is holding an event called Animated Young Minds: A Celebration of Black Artistry on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8 and 9. The event, at the Sie Film Center at 2510 E. Colfax Ave., is free and for young people aged 11 to 18 who are interested in animation, drawing and filmmaking. Meals, films and training are all provided, and registration is limited. During the sessions students will engage in tutorials created by Mile High Animation and presented by visual talents Bruce W. Smith, Shawn Martinbrough, Sonya Carey and Coran Kizer Stone. Using animation tools, students will design a showcase piece following directives on the auditorium screen. For more information and to register, go to milehighanimation.com/ denveranimationevents.
Arthur Jones To Keynote Black History Event
Dr. Arthur Jones, the founder of the Spirituals Project at the University of Denver, is the featured speaker at the 3rd Annual Black History Celebration hosted by House District 8 Democrats. The event is Friday, Feb. 28 at the clubhouse at Park Hill 4000, at 4000 Albion St. Jones is the author of Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals, and a pioneer in the enduring psychological, spiritual and social justice power of the sacred songs created by enslaved Africans in North America. The event is also a fundraiser for HD8 Democrats. The fundraiser is from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and includes a tasting menu with soul food delicacies, as well as music and Black history games and
other festivities. The evening culminates with a group Electric Slide. For tickets and more information, contact Pat Morland at hd8pat@gmail. com or 720-352-5252.
Chamber Players To Perform
The Front Range Chamber Players performs on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, at 1980 Dahlia St. The February concert features the Ivy Street Ensemble (Cathy Peterson, Erik Peterson and Phillip Stevens) with guest cellist Thomas Heinrich. The February concert includes music by Beethoven and Mozart, as well as a piece titled Homeland, which was composed by Allison Loggins-Hull in 2018 after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and amid political and social turmoil in the United States. The concert begins at 2 p.m., with a Young Musician Prelude Concert at 1:30 p.m. There is no charge for students. Check out frontrangechamberplayers.org for more information and tickets.
Denver Zoo Free Day Feb. 9
Go wild at the Denver Zoo on Sunday, Feb. 9. The day is one of seven free days in 2025, meaning free admission for up to five tickets per person. Tickets are not available at the gate, but must be obtained online on a first-come, first-served basis. The other remaining free zoo days this year are April 6, Nov. 7, Nov. 15 and Nov. 23. For details, including when each ticket window opens, visit denverzoo.org/free-days.
National Parks Free Days In 2025
Mark your calendars for the free days offered in 2025 to national parks, including Rocky Mountain National Park and numerous other Colorado parks and monuments. The U.S. National Park Service is waiving entrance fees on April 19, June 19, Aug. 4, Sept. 27 and Nov. 11. For more info, including a complete list of parks and monuments, check out tinyurl.com/FreeNationalPark2025.
whO we are
Editor: Cara DeGette
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how to FIND US
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Address: 2823 Fairfax St. Denver, 80207
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CoNtACt US
Story Tips and Letters to the Editor: Cara DeGette:
The Greater Park Hill News is published by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC) on the 1st of each month. Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily the opinions of GPHC. GPHC does not necessarily endorse the companies, products or services advertised in The Greater Park Hill News unless specifically stated. GPHC reserves the right to run any advertisement.
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The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteerbased registered neighborhood organization that: promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill; provides resources, information and advocacy; and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation.
Dr. Arthur Jones
The Enchanting Cuckoo
1/21/25, 8:19
The Squirrel Cuckoo is a spectacular large cuckoo found in woodlands and forests from Mexico to Argentina. This species nimbly navigates trees, hopping along branches like a squirrel and bounding from perch to perch in search of caterpillars, grasshoppers and other insects. This Squirrel Cuckoo was photographed near Morgan’s Rock, Nicaragua by Mark Silverstein.
Victory continued from page 1
tect the land from development. Any development would require the city to agree to surrender the easement. And clearly, the developer thought their gamble would pay off.
Indeed, the mayor at the time, Michael B. Hancock, as well as a majority of the Denver City Council, offered full support for development. With its money and influence and the help of powerful lobbyists, Westside initially approached the protective conservation easement as an inconsequential hurdle — even Denver’s city attorney at the time took the position that a simple vote of the city council was enough to make the easement go away.
Enter Save Open Space Denver (SOS Denver). Led by Park Hill residents Woody Garnsey and Penfield Tate and supported by Wellington Webb — who had secured the conservation easement in 1997 when he was mayor — the grassroots citizen group mobilized. In 2021, SOS Denver sponsored a citywide initiative that would require a future citywide vote to remove the conservation easement.
By a 60-40 majority, Denver voters — including an overwhelming majority of Park Hill voters — approved SOS Denver’s initiative, keeping the conservation easement intact. By the same margin that year, voters rejected a second ballot measure — pushed by Westside — asking voters to effectively invalidate SOS Denver’s initiative. City doubles down
Mayor Hancock and his appoin-
tees responded by doubling down their support for Westside. Over the next two years, managers and employees — whose salaries are paid by taxpayers — were deployed to work with the developer on its private project.
It’s impossible to put a price tag on the total amount of taxpayer resources that Denver contributed to work with Westside to create its massive development plan. The project, a new metro district, would have been a commercial and residential development, with a portion becoming a dedicated park.
Nearly every city department pitched in, including Community Planning & Development, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, Department of Housing Stability, Economic Development, Department of Finance, Public Health and Environment and the City Attorney’s Office. Additionally, the city brought in outside consultants to convince citizens that development would be beneficial to northeast Denver neighbors.
Even the Parks and Recreation Department — the stewards of the city’s parks — was pro-development. Under the leadership of thendirector Happy Haynes, multiple parks employees were assigned to work with Westside on its development plan for land that, remember, was supposed to be protected from development.
The final hurdle was, once again, the voters. Two years ago Westside launched what became a $1 million
campaign to convince Denver voters to approve the mixed-use development.
Operating on a comparative shoestring, SOS Denver again mobilized. Denver voters again rejected Westside’s plan by a 2-1 margin. Park Hill voters again — including in the northeast neighborhoods immediately surrounding the golf course — overwhelmingly rejected the development.
The conservation easement protecting the property remained intact. The will of the people
When he was initially running for mayor, Mike Johnston supported Westside’s plans. After the decisive city-wide vote rejecting it, however, and during the mayoral run-off election, Johnston told SOS Denver representatives that if he won he would respect the will of the people.
It took nearly two years after the election to close the deal. During last month’s press conference announcing the land swap and new regional park, Johnston invited five guest speakers to the podium: former
Mayor Webb, Penfield Tate, Woody Garnsey, current Parks and Recreation Director Jolon Clark and city councilwoman Shontel Lewis (whose district includes the golf course). No one from Westside was there to speak.
“It’s because of community members who raised their voices today that we are all here,” Johnston said.
“Today,” said Webb, “is a victory for the people.”
“Today,” said Tate, “is a celebration of what collective action can do. We fought and beat the monied interests of the city time after time.”
Tate also acknowledged Johnston for “something obvious, but it isn’t always.”
That is, keeping his word.
“[Johnston] said, ‘if I become mayor this is gonna be a park. We are going to get it for the community, we are going to engage the community, and this is gonna be a park,” Tate said.
“He could have easily gone back on that and gone in another direction, ’cause we’ve seen other elected officials do that. He did not.”
Imagine A Great Space
Residents Invited To Help Plan Denver’s New Regional Park
Rendering of what a regional park could look like, courtesy of SOS Denver.
Denver Parks and Recreation Director Jolon Clark says the new park will open this summer and will grow in a series of stages.
Expect things to be pretty wild-looking at first. The city will create entrances to the currently fenced-off former Park Hill Golf Course and will clear out the weeds and debris that has accumulated over the past several years. Watering the hundreds of mature trees on the land is already underway. The trees have been stressed (and some killed) from neglect while under the control of Westside Investment Partners. Existing trails will be repaired, and basic amenities, like picnic tables, will be added.
For the long term, Denver is launching a community-wide planning effort to determine what else people want for the park. The money to acquire and build out the park will come from the city’s Parks Legacy Fund, which voters approved in 2018.
Several years ago Save Open Space Denver released a rendering, pictured above, which was created by landscape architect Edward Shalkey. The rendering highlights what the property could look like as a regional park. Possible amenities include playgrounds, trails, an off-leash dog area, community gardens, ponds, sports fields, a skate park, water park, and more. Open space advocates say the rendering can be a good starting point.
Sign up for city updates on how to participate in community planning efforts for the regional park here: tinyurl.com/PHGCSignUp.
Amy Harris and Alex Walsh, who live adjacent to the Park Hill Golf Course, displayed this vinyl banner on their fence for the past several years. They added a handwritten “D” at the end of the word “Save” and brought the well-worn sign to the Jan. 15 announcement.
Proud Day For Denver
SOS Denver Fought Hard To Preserve The Park Hill Golf Course
By Wellington Webb
For the GPHN
It’s been a long eight-year battle, but the former Park Hill Golf Course in northeast Denver will finally become the city’s largest new park in more than 100 years.
The reason these 155 acres will be a park for generations starts with the neighbors who fought to keep this open space from becoming a major housing development.
I applaud Woody Garnsey, Penfield Tate, Sheila MacDonald and others of the grassroots group Save Open Space Denver (SOS). With their leadership, Denver voters three times supported preserving a conservation easement, which my administration placed on the land in 1997 to protect the land from development.
This deal is a massive win for Denver. This not only gives a new park to the city but also protects our other parks, including Washington Park, Sloan’s Lake and City Park, from future development without voter approval.
Mayor Johnston has assured me that he will now move to transform the Park Hill Golf Course into a modern, urban park. This brings closure to the endless squabbling about the future of the property that has paralyzed it from realizing its full potential as a community treasure.
In 2019, Westside Investment Partners purchased the land from a nonprofit after the golf course closed. In a fight waged through multiple ballot measures, SOS Denver stopped the city from allowing the housing development to move forward. Voters overwhelming defeated the city and developers three times and made it clear that grass instead of concrete was more important for the Park Hill neighborhood.
Mayor Mike Johnston stuck to his word after the 2023 election. Despite initially supporting the developers, Johnston respected the will of the voters. Without expending tax dollars, the city will trade 145 acres of undeveloped industrial land in Adams County near Denver International Airport in exchange for title to the former golf course.
Once the land swap is approved by the Denver City Council and the Adams County Commissioners, the Denver Parks and Recreation Department will remove fencing currently around the property and open it for public use, which initially will be limited to walking trails, maintaining trees and a possible dog area.
Folks may begin to enjoy the open space by summer. The same plot of land that has so long sat neglected will be transformed over the next few years into a crown jewel of the city.
Being mayor is not an easy job. Mayor Johnston stood strong with the community, and he is doing what is right over what is easy. During my time as mayor, my administration added more park and open space than any previous mayor. Mayor Johnston should be proud to continue that important legacy of being the city’s leader. As I have often said, the parks are the backyards for all of our residents.
Reclaiming the golf course for the people also should be a catalyst for more investment for northeast Denver. Though there have been improvements, the neighborhood, one of the most diverse in the city, remains underserved.
Residents have gone too long without a nearby grocery store, and the price of housing continues to rise. With the park as its heart, we should be able to attract around it more amenities and resources and housing options that our community deserves, without losing the neighborhood’s history or character. We will need Mayor Johnston’s continued focus and partnership to ensure we find that balance.
Wellington Webb served as Denver’s 42nd mayor and first Black mayor from 1991 to 2003.
Cheris
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and former Mayor Wellington Webb at the Jan. 15 announcement of the new park.
Photo by Cara DeGette
Rodeo, Military Appreciation Rodeo, a First Responders Pro Rodeo and Canadian Night Rodeos.
The traditional rodeo events include saddle and bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding, steer wrestling and roping events. The rodeos also offered unique entertainment, including performances by the famous Westernaires youth precision trick-riding group.
Always a crowd pleaser, the mutton bustin’ event invited children ages 5 to 7 and under 55 pounds to ride sheep out of a chute and into the
arena, with the goal of staying on for the duration.
The Mexican Rodeo indeed proved to be an entertaining extravaganza, and included a Cala de Caballo. That event marks the traditional opening of a Charreada — the Mexican contest of equestrianism between historic Mexican haciendas — accompanied by a mariachi band and folkloric dancers in colorful traditional dresses.
Attendees of the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza also witnessed seemingly death-defying feats of Manu
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Above, jumper Manu Lataste leaps over a Spanish bull during the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza on Jan 12.
At left, Staci Diaz presents the “Tandem Liberty” with an Andalusian Stallion.
Below, charro Jerry Diaz demonstrates his rope skills.
Lataste, a professional bull jumper whose act involved leaping, diving and summersaulting over a charging Spanish fighting bull.
Also confronting a fighting bull were two matadors, dressed in gold and red skin-tight silk outfits, who used capes to dodge the raging bull at the last moment. The arena crowd collectively held its breath when one of the matadors lost his footing and fell backwards onto the arena floor just feet away from the angry bull. His fellow matador distracted the great beast with the wave of a red cape and potential disaster was averted.
The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo takes place at the Denver Coliseum, north of Park Hill. Beyond the rodeo performances, dozens of other Stock Show events and displays are featured over the
two-week run. These included sheep shearing, cattle and sheep dog herding, Xtreme dog competitions, a stick horse competition and the Coors Western Art Exhibition. As always, hundreds of young people showed their animals in competition, including calves, lambs, pigs and goats.
Editor’s note: Check out greaterparkhill.org/ole/ for more of Reid Neureiter’s photos from this year’s National Western Stock Show.
Fears Into Action
Young People Are Leading The Way. It’s Time To Follow Them
By Tracey MacDermott
For the GPHN
It seems every year we break a new heat record; last year we temporarily hit the 1.5°C benchmark that scientists have been warning us about. Newly reinstalled President Trump has vowed to once again exit the Paris Agreement. Horrific fires last month destroyed entire neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
All news seems grim. World leaders have not risen to the challenge. We are still dealing with deniers despite the piling evidence of the continuing climate crisis.
Passionate students, along with the district’s Sustainability Executive Director LeeAnn Kittle, are pushing to make great gains towards sustainability, including expanding rooftop solar systems and focusing on water conservation.
I am inspired by young people whose futures are at stake.
In moments of despair, putting fears into action can help create a brighter future. I’m heartened that many of you send me emails after reading this column each month, asking what you can do. While actions at home may seem inconsequential, the reality is that many of us collectively making small changes do make a difference and drive sustaining results. Keep making those changes.
We know that solutions occur when people come together and put their values into action. And young people deserve credit for taking action. Consider the youth-led initiative, Green Schools Campaign. As described by the Climate Reality Project, this campaign “centers developing leadership, advocacy, and grassroots organizing of young people to spearhead initiatives to transition their schools and communities to 100 percent clean energy.”
The program grew out of the work of a team of people from Los Angeles who led the second largest school district in the United States to 100 percent clean renewable energy. It’s worth noting that Palisades Charter High School, which is part of the district and whose students had persuaded their school to commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025, was damaged in the fires that ravaged Los Angeles last month. It’s further worth noting those fires were fueled by a condition scientists calling hydroclimate whiplash — the result of extreme weather shifts that has intensified due to global warming.
Here in Denver, 47 school buildings currently have solar panels. Combined, they produce about 10 percent of the electricity used by Denver Public Schools. The district has a five-year goal of generating 65 percent of its own electricity. In addition, the district is looking to electrify 80 percent of the heating load for 10 buildings within five years. Denver School of the Arts in Park Hill is one of those 47 schools.
How can you help our kids? Contact your neighborhood school and ask about their sustainability programs. Find out what the students are interested in and how you and others in your community can help support them and their ideas. Let’s help lift them up to convert their schools to function using 100 percent clean energy.
Locally, the Climate Reality Project has a Denver Chapter working on the Green Schools Campaign. If you want to get involved, please reach out to Greenschoolscolorado@gmail.com
Looking around our neighborhood I see more and more solar throughout our neighborhood. Greater Park Hill Community’s headquarters at 2823 Fairfax St. has installed solar panels and converted its building to 100 percent electric. Let’s explore together other ways to further advance Park Hill to a renewable future.
The challenge of solving the climate crisis is so immense that it sometimes seems impossible. However, I am inspired by young people whose futures are at stake. They are developing innovative programs, and showing up at the state Capitol to fight. Their indomitable spirits keep so many of us engaged and working along with them.
Our children are leading the way. We just need to follow.
Tracey MacDermott is an at-large board member of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017. She chairs the Sustainability Committee for the Business and Professional Women of Colorado and the National Federation for Business and Professional Women. Email her at traceymacdermott@gmail.com
DPS students are driving the efforts. Four years ago students, pushing to prioritize climate action, gathered nearly 4,000 petition signatures, met with DPS board members and attended public meetings to make their collective voice heard.
Cops Should Respond
Great report last month summarizing the shooting incidents and the Denver Police Department’s seeming disconcern about sharing info. Their skimpy response is what we citizens, not the press, would expect to get. Thanks for investigating on our behalf.
Gordon Johnson, Central Park Editor’s note: The January news story highlighting the Denver Police Department’s lack of transparency with regard to shootings and other crimes can be read at this link: greaterparkhill.org/scary-scenes-spotty-info.
Look At Us!
In reading last month’s letters from neighbors Gary Martyn and Susan Walton generally decrying the methodology used for Denver “infrastructure” projects, it seems we should be looking at the actual utility of some of these projects — not only for their costs, but the outcomes.
The Kearney Street “Neighborhood Bikeway,” nearly built, imposes a host of invasive plastic pylons and street signage obstructing common car flow, making room for what seems like non-existent bicyclists.
As Ms. Walton correctly points out, that stretch of public street has no history of any accidents, making the city planners’ call, supposedly based on need, dubious at best.
Many of Denver’s avenues and arterials have been similarly fragmented, displacing or limiting car traffic (which is for the most part, our transportation reality) in favor of a few hardy bicycle commuters.
The naming of “bikeways” is mostly a “look at us” sign opportunity and a brag about green awareness, while the actual usage is, and will continue to be, somewhat of an academic exercise. Are local bicyclists likely to need arrow directionals to “City Park,” “E. Colfax Bus. Dist.” or “NE Park Hill Nhbd”? No, but the signage proclaims “DENVER Bikeway,” and some small group of public planners can crow about their progressive plans, as “multi-modal transportation.”
Meanwhile, per RTD’s own figures, 91 percent of transportation on the Front Range — and similarly, in Denver — is by automobile. A little under 9 percent (and notably fall-
ing) travel by public transit and not even one-half percent by bicycles.
Peter Ehrlich, Park Hill
Editor’s note: Check out the next page for more on the Kearney Street Bikeway project. The link to last month’s Letters to the Editor is greaterparkhill. org/letters-to-the-editor-january-25.
Goin’ For The Gold
I’d like to extend a slow clap to Denver’s City Council for its latest stroke of eco-genius: cutting back on weekly recycling. Nothing screams “progressive green initiative” like reducing recycling services while still pocketing the trash fees they forced on us last year in the name of sustainability.
Let’s rewind. Just last year, the City rolled out its big “go green or go home” initiative, telling us to shrink our trash cans, embrace composting and lean on recycling like it’s our moral duty. And dutifully, we complied. We sorted, we rinsed, we squeezed pizza boxes into compost bins and shot threes with our Argonaut wine bottles as though Olympic gold was on the line. And what’s our reward? Recycling every other week, apparently, because who needs to recycle all those pesky cans and cardboard that often?
How do you sell a plan to “reduce waste” and then make it harder for people to recycle? It’s like telling someone to lose weight and then replacing their salad with donuts. And the cherry on top? We’re still paying trash fees! So, not only are we producing more garbage (thanks to your scaled-back recycling), but we’re also funding the privilege of watching you sabotage your own green goals. What a deal.
Denver, you’ve billed yourself as a forward-thinking, eco-conscious city. But this move? If we’re serious about sustainability, the solution isn’t fewer recycling pickups. It’s more infrastructure, more support, and maybe a little less BS.
But at least we are helping the homeless situation, with our cutting down of large-item pickup. The alleys of Cap Hill are soon to be fully furnished with JD’s hammy down couches and mattresses with R-Kelly’s sheets. Who needs a hotel when there’s a move-in move-out special in the alley behind Russell Wilson’s house?
So, dear City Council, if you’re go-
ing to charge us for trash and claim it’s for the planet, at least follow through. Otherwise, stop pretending to care about being green and just admit you needed the cash. Honesty might sting, but at least it’s recyclable.
Nile Plummer, Park Hill
His Name Is Mustang
What a relief to read the Park Hill newspaper. Filled with articles that directly affect our neighborhood and columns that reflect the values of our community, it is, in many ways, a more vital repository of information than what’s left of the Denver Post. However, I do have two gentle observations on articles from the January issue.
In the feature story about the holiday drone show on page 19, one display is referred to as “Blucifer.” This is an example of how media can subvert the true intentions of an artist. As I recall, the artist, Luis Jimenez Jr., saw Mustang (its true name) as a protector of the new airport. There was much controversy at the time of its installation, and media and the white establishment of the time cast it as a malevolent and threatening entity.
Luis Jimenez Jr.’s father was a Mexican refugee who came to the U.S. as a child. I can’t help but wonder if the origin of this nickname was, in fact, denigrating to Mexican Americans. In addition, the artist’s widow, Susan Jimenez, prefers that people don’t call the statue Blucifer. She’s concerned about commercializing the image. In many ways, this nickname is another form of whitewashing our multicultural society, similar to naming sports teams after Native Americans or their tribes.
On another note, Cara DeGette’s page 2 editor’s note, Spread Some Love, calling on people to support Colfax businesses, identifies the thoroughfare as Colfax Street. Oops!
Again I appreciate the efforts of all the staff at the Greater Park Hill News. Keep up the great work!
Don Batt, Park Hill
Beloved For A Reason
Although I’m not a Park Hill resident, I like to pick up a copy of the Greater Park Hill News whenever I’m at the Park Hill Library because I enjoy its “At the Library” column. Whether it features the Park Hill branch or the Pauline Robinson branch and regardless of who writes it, the column always weaves library
services into community life with warmth and familiarity. The piece that Librarian Tara Bannon Williamson wrote for the January edition warrants special praise.
Tara’s incorporating Park Hill’s legacy of social justice, knowledge of what happens throughout the neighborhood, and relevant books, media, and library services both inform and invite close reading. Importantly, her message is timely — for so many reasons. And it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that she writes beautifully.
Thank you to Tara for putting such thought and care into her work for Denver Public Library and for the Greater Park Hill community. It’s no wonder that the Park Hill Branch Library is so beloved of the people it serves.
Ruth Burnham, Mayfair
Planting Some Seeds
I read Tracey MacDermott’s January Earth In Crisis column with interest. I’m working on a lot of the things she mentioned, and I wanted to reach out about the gardening portion of her column.
I think there are so many people in Park Hill who have the space for gardening, but not the know-how to get a decent return on their investment of time, materials and water. I’m wondering if Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. might sponsor some workshops for local gardeners. I think there are a few fantastic gardeners in the neighborhood from whom we could learn, and I wonder if they’d be interested in volunteering their time and expertise.
In that vein, I also wonder if GPHC might be able to become a hub for sustainable living, hosting regular clothing swaps and repair parties so we can build neighborhood relationships around sustainability.
In any case, at the very least, I’m interested in produce swaps and getting to know other Park Hill gardeners. Please let me know how I can get involved.
Cynthia Pesantez, Park Hill
We love your letters, and we give preference to those that address an issue that has been covered in the newspaper or a topic that is Park Hill or Denver-specific. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.
a ‘Nhbd’ By any Other Name
Newly-Installed Kearney Street Bikeway Signs Stir Passions
Story and photos by Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
What is the common abbreviation for “Neighborhood”? Most people know that would be “Nbhd.” Except apparently for the brains behind Denver’s Kearney Street Bikeway project through Park Hill.
Beginning in December, dozens of signs have been installed all over the Nbhd highlighting exactly where people were and how far they were from other parts of the Nbhd. But the city workers apparently forgot to consult their handy abbreviation handbooks. As a result, most (but oddly, not all) of the dozens of new signs say “Nhbd.”
The reactions of Kearney Street residents and other neighbors have
ranged from irritation to outrage over the unexpected invasion of street signs (as well as plastic bollards) that now clutter up their residential streets as part of the city bikeway project. The sign misspellings adds another level of disgust. Here are a few Nbhd reactions posted on Nextdoor:
• “Come on, Denver, really? Our neighborhood was blessed with this tax-funded joke of a sign that clearly never made it to the Quality Control department.”
• “The dyslexia struggle is real.”
• “Way to make our community a slightly better place.”
• “Maybe vowels cost more.”
• “Home skooled is the way to go.”
• “Perhaps we need a new city
department. DAN — the Department of Acronym Negligence.”
• “Largely reflective of the direction, competency and quality of everything that Denver government does these days. Keep it going Denver!”
• “Reminds me of the sign posted near Chatfield years ago: ‘Duel bikeways. I kept waiting to see a shootout.”
• “And at the corner of (I think) 17th and Humboldt Street, the Humboldt sign is misspelled as “Humbolt.” (Haven’t checked it recently, but if it’s still there, it’s been that way for years.)”
• “Time to contact our City Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer.”
• “You mean, Anamda Saywer”?
At top, “pinch-points” narrow Kearney Street to a single lane for traffic, including cyclists and cars. Above: newlyinstalled plastic bollards.
Surprise On Kearney
The Kearney Street Bikeway project stretches from Colfax to Smith Road through Park Hill, and is designed to be a safe south-north route for cyclists. However, many neighbors are none too pleased. They argue that, beyond being unsightly, the new “calming measures” are confusing to cyclists and drivers. “Pinch points” have been incorporated liberally along the route. These create sections where the street narrows, with barely enough room for a single car to drive through. The result, some say, is confusion for both cyclists and drivers — and has already created close encounters.
Chill with A Good Book
Winter Of Reading For Adults Celebrates 10 Years
By Leslie Williams Pauline Robinson Branch Librarian
Our annual winter reading program turns 10 years old this year. Winter of Reading began in 2015 as a reading program for adults to participate in and win prizes. How it works is you visit any of the library locations in person and pick up a game board from one of the staff. This year’s game board is in the form of a bingo card. Complete five activities in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) then return the game board to any of our library locations by Feb. 28 for a limited edition mug or tote bag. If you complete the whole board, you win an additional special edition sticker.
In past years, our two Park Hill neighborhood branches have had a high participation rate. Let’s do it again this year. Visit denverlibrary. org/winterofreading for book recommendations and fun events all winter long.
And now (drumroll, please…) an update on the reopening of the newly-renovated Pauline Robinson branch. Many of you have been wondering, when will the branch reopen? We don’t have an exact date, but it is happening this winter. We cannot wait for you to see our two new public study rooms, plus an addition that will be a community room where programs will be held. Our new interior layout includes sections for kids, teens and adults. Stay tuned for more information
on denverlibrary.org, denlib.org/ robinson and the Pauline Robinson branch Facebook page.
February Programs
Park Hill Branch
Baby Storytimes | Thursdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers.
Toddler Storytimes | Fridays, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers.
Kids Game Club | 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, drop-in 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Are you looking for something fun after school? Drop by to play games in a fun, relaxed environment. Ideal for ages 5-12.
Qi Gong | Wednesday, Feb. 5, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Qi Gong is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Sometimes called “meditation in motion,” it includes slow, dance-like movements to improve breathing, reduce stress, and gently move the body.
Dying Like You Mean It | Saturday, Feb. 8, 2-3:30 p.m.
What will come to life for you as you consider your death? Existing in the rich in-between of living and dying as Wally Klatch does, he brings awareness and perspective to the dying process and invites deep conversation. Joining Wally is Jamie Sarche in a rich discussion about
dying and communicating about what matters most to you while you have the resources. Participation is invited, centering lived experiences, and placing more importance on the questions than the answers. This conversation may include references to suicide that may be triggering to some individuals.
Teen Game Night | Tuesday, Feb. 11, 4:305:30 p.m.
Come join us for a teen gaming event. We play a multitude of games, including some RPGs. Open to people 6th-12th grade.
Palentine’s Day Celebration | Thursday, Feb. 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Celebrate “Palentine’s” Day and honor platonic love and friendship by creating a card or token of friendship for a pal. Adults 18+
No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Read whatever you want, attend whenever you can. This month we will be hosting a Winter of Reading Book Buzz during the first portion of the gathering.
Teen Advisory Board | Tuesday, Feb. 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Anyone 6th-12th grade is welcome to join and help with library programming and resources geared towards teens.
Kids Book Celebration | Thursday, Feb. 20, 4-5 p.m.
A monthly book celebration for kids in kindergarten* though 5th grade which meets the third Thursday of every month. This month we will be playing BINGO for Books Snacks provided and everyone will go home with at least one book to keep. Adults who attend with their child can also win books (supplies
are limited).
*Parents of young children need to attend with their child.
Black Americans in the West | Saturday, Feb. 22, 2-3 p.m.
The Black American West Museum, in the Whittier-Five Points neighborhood of Denver, highlights local history since the 1850s. It includes the stories of community members, businesses, churches, clubs and organizations to the present day. Ideal for teens and adults.
Death Café | Monday, Feb. 24, 2-3:30 p.m.
Death Café is an international movement that invites people to gather, normalize conversations around death — to make the most of LIFE. This is not a grief support group or counseling session. Respect for all views is a priority.
Pauline Robinson Branch
While the Pauline Robinson branch library was undergoing renovations, limited library services were offered at Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center at 33rd and Holly Street. Those services are now discontinued, and the renovated library is set to reopen in Holly Square in early 2025. Check for updates — including reopening dates and celebrations — at denlib.org/robinson and on the Pauline Robinson branch Facebook page.
Greater Park Hill has two public libraries: The Park Hill branch library is at 4705 Montview Blvd. The Pauline Robinson branch library is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave. Visit denverlibrary.org, for other Denver library locations, including in Central Park, Whittier, and other nearby neighborhoods.
The Pauline Robinson Branch Library community room before the renovation: Young people at an After School is Cool program. Photo courtesy of Mary Trujillo
The library’s newly-renovated community room: Note the sink! Photo courtesy of Leslie Williams
tiktok Goes the Clock
A Word And Some Warnings About The New New Social Media
By Anya Nitczynski
For the GPHN
I recently rediscovered journal entries from a few years ago detailing one of the toughest dilemmas my 15-year-old self had ever found herself in: whether or not to delete TikTok.
In my journal, I weighed the pros (less distractions, less harmful content consumption, improvement of my attention span, being able to tell people I deleted TikTok and feeling superior) and the cons: FOMO (that’s Fear Of Missing Out, duh). After a few days I reached the conclusion that I should at least try deleting the app.
My journal entries read like a serial killer at worst and an addict at best. I was clearly dependent on the app. It took me a solid month of deleting and redownloading before I kept TikTok off my phone for good.
TikTok has dictated the cultural landscape of today’s younger generations. Our fashion, our music, our slang, our politics, and even our insecurities are directly informed by social media and either directly or by proxy, all social media platforms have grown to be informed by TikTok.
SnapChat, Instagram, and YouTube all recently developed their
own version of a short form video content feature in their respective apps. Musicians have begun catering to the TikTok algorithm, foregoing entire songs and focusing instead on creating 15-second sound bites they hope will go viral.
Deleting TikTok was accepting that I would be out of the loop, that I would catch myself falling into the same scrolling habits on Instagram’s version of TikTok content, and that
I wouldn’t be able to keep creating videos as time capsules, with the intention of returning to them in a decade.
A ban of the app in the U.S., which is still a possibility, would leave a gap in modern media consumption and the culture that comes with it. The next evolution of social media is also characterized by the reality that the richest man in the world owns X (Twitter) and now plays a significant role in the new presidential administration; plus the just-announced removal of fact-checking on Facebook — and AI generated content being pushed by almost every algorithm.
The future is difficult to predict, and so are the long-term effects social media will have on people my age — especially when considering the pandemic years where virtual replaced real interaction. My diag-
nosis? It can’t have been good. My other diagnosis? We should be concerned about younger children. I got a solid 13 years of living in the real world before the pandemic, and I was still impacted by The Year Of The Screen (2020). I worry that the social skills, reading comprehension, and mental and physical health of young children will be even more hindered by the next major social media platform.
So what do we do? Most people use social media in some capacity. We need to remember not everything should be taken at face value, especially online.
Anya Nitczynski is a senior at Denver School of the Arts. Her column appears regularly in these pages.
Fun In The Summer Sun
A Guide to Park Hill and Nearby Camps
Compiled by Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
It’s February — time to break through the ice of winter and start thinking about the long, lazy days ahead, and of course the camps that go with them.
The following is a guide of summer camps in and nearby Park Hill. Many camps fill up fast, so make sure to check websites for the latest info.
Special note: Camps with longer descriptions of their programs and what they offer denote those organizations who are paid advertisers to the Greater Park Hill News Camp Directory.
Art Garage | 6100 E. 23rd Ave. artgaragedenver.com
Art Students League of Denver | 200 Grant St. asld.org
Athena Project | 3300 w. Nevada Pl. athenaprojectarts.org/summer-camps
Bluff Lake Nature Center | 3192 N. havana way 720-708-4147 blufflake.org/camp25
Our wildlife refuge is the place for nature-themed summer camps that immerse participants in hands-on learning about animals, plants and
ecosystems. Each session includes daily creek exploration, live animal presentations, camp-wide scavenger hunts and award ceremonies for camp spirit. This 100 percent outdoor experience will leave you dirtcovered, tired and smiling.
Butterfly Pavilion | westminster butterflies.org/summer-camp
Camp Granite Lake | Golden campgranitelake.com
Ceramics in the City | 5214 E. Colfax Ave. ceramicsinthecity.com
Cheyenne Fencing | 5818 E. Colfax Ave. 720- 838-4225 coloradofencing.com
Give your child a mental and physical challenge with the unique sport of fencing. Classes taught by 3-time member of the Olympic Team. Spring and summer camps available. Year-round classes. Try a week free — call for one free private lesson.
City of Aurora Summer Camps | Various locations auroragov.org/things_to_do/ recreation___sports_programs/ Camps
Reaching new heights, one grip at a time. Photo courtesy of ÜG Denver’s CampGrippen
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance | 119 Park Avenue west 303-295-1759 cleoparkerdance.org/academy International Summer Dance Institute (ISDI) — 4 programs, 5 weeks, all levels. STREAM (theatre tech) June 9-13, ages 9-15. Global Children’s Weeks June 16-July 3, ages 3-13. Youth intensive July 7-18, ages 9-13. Elite teaching artists in Pre/Pro Intensives July 7-25, ages 13-professional.
Code Ninjas | 101 Ulster Ct. 720-594-2633 codeninjas.com/co-denver Code Ninjas Summer Camps offer
kids ages 8-14 a fun, hands-on learning experience in coding, game design, robotics and creative projects. Camps include Minecraft, Roblox, Lego Robotics, Code Combat and more, empowering kids to develop valuable skills while having a blast in a supportive, engaging environment.
Colorado rapids Youth Soccer Club | Various rapidsyouthsoccer.org
Commerce City Parks, Recreation & Golf | Commerce City tinyurl.com/CommerceCityCamps
Photo
Dance Institute | 10515 E 40th Ave #114 323-525-0011
danceInstitute.Denver.com
Dance Institute, LLC. Weeklong Half-a-Full-Day Camp available. Including Ballet, Tap, Arco, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Art and Crafts. Ages 4-up. 6-week Summer Intensive in Ballet/Pointe Jazz/Contemporary.
Denver Botanic Gardens | Spring Break Camps | 1007 York St. and Chatfield Farms 720-865-3500
botanicgardens.org
Sign up for Spring Break Camps at Denver Botanic Gardens! Join us
for “Fossils to Flowers” March 17-21 at Chatfield Farms in Littleton or “Plant Protectors” March 24-28 at York Street in Denver. Camps are for ages 6-12 and are full of exploration, games, activities and more. Register at botanicgardens.org.
Denver Center for Performing Arts | 1101 13th St. 303-446-4892 denvercenter.org/education
For fun-loving children 3-plus to professional actors looking to polish their craft, DCPA Education offers seasonal theatre-based classes for a variety of interests and abilities.
STEAM Summer Camps & Spring Break Camps
Summer Camp at
Urban Farm
“Gateway” Area: welcomes visitors to the site Indoor Public Spaces: enables expanded programming Accessibility Improvements: new ramp and parking lot Administrative Spaces: connects the team with the site Visitor Experience: bathrooms and shaded outdoor areas Net-Zero Building: utilizing sustainable technologies
CampaigN goal: bluff lake has raised over $6.4M of our $8.5M goal from over 250 donors!
Our community will make this project happen! We are setting a goal of 1,000 donors for this campaign, show-casing the incredible collective investment behind this project.
Become one of our 1,000 donors today! Visit blufflake.org/campaign to learn more about the project & discover all the tax credits and ways to donate!
sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about this project, our new northwest entrance (opening Feb 1), and more, at blufflake.org/campaign
Denver Center for Performing Arts camp. Photo by Susannah McLeod
Quarterly sessions feature single-day workshops to multi-week classes in acting, auditioning, improv, voice over and more. Daytime and evening options plus payment plans available.
Denver Dumb Friends League | 2080 S. Quebec St. ddfl.org/humane-education/ youth-programs
Denver Museum of Nature and Science | 2001 Colorado Blvd. dmns.org/visit/events-and-activities/ summer-camps/
Denver Parks and Rec Day Camps | Various Locations denvergov.org (Search words: Summer Camps)
Denver Zoo | 2300 Steele St. denverzoo.org/?s=summer+camp
Four Mile historic Park | 715 S. Forest St. fourmilepark.org
hands on history Day Camps | 1200 Broadway h-co.org/HOH-HCC
heritage Camps for Adoptive Families | Various Locations 303-320-4324 HeritageCamps.org
Nine unique summer camps for international and domestic adoptees and those who love them. The camps provide cultural activities and a supportive environment for adoptees of all ages (3 years and above) and their families. Camps are held in different locations in Colorado on various dates throughout summer. To register: heritagecamps.org
i9 Sports | Various Locations i9sports.com
International School | 7701 E 1st Pl. C 303-340-3647 isdenver.org
Explore a different world every week! ISDenver camps include
multilingual options, international themes, off campus adventures, arts, sports and more for kids ages 3-14. Whatever type of summer program you are looking for, ISDenver speaks your language!
Jewish Community Center - Various Camps | 350 S. Dahlia St. jccdenver.org/camps
Kathy’s Kamp Summer enrichment Camp | Northeast Denver familiesforwardco.com
Lynx National Arts & Media Camps | Downtown Denver artsandmedia.ucdenver.edu/ prospective-students/lynx-camps
Mighty Movement | 2245 Kearney St. mightymovementacademy.com
Mile high Animation | 1633 Fillmore St, Suite 408/410 720-764-5280 milehighanimation.com/ denverartsummercamp
Mile High Animation offers exciting camps at Denver’s City Park, near the zoo and museum, for kids ages 8-17. Participants explore stopmotion, 2D, and digital animation, learning storyboarding, character design, and filmmaking. Led by industry professionals, these camps ignite creativity, teamwork, and storytelling skills in a vibrant, inspiring location.
Mind Craft | the Stanley Marketplace 2501 Dallas St #228, aurora 303-341-4065 mindcraftmakerspace.com
Sewall Child Development | 940 Fillmore St. sewall.org/?s=summer+camp
SoCCER ELECtRIC “CAMPLIFY” | City Park / East high School / Sie FilmCenter soccerelectric.com
We’re teaming up with Denver Film, Denver East High School (2022 Boys Soccer 5A Champs) and other local partners to organize the 11th annual “CAMPLIFY” @ City Park / East HS / Sie FilmCenter. Campers play games and develop soccer skills with experienced coaches, dynamic STEAM teachers and closely supervised walks to the Sie for age-appropriate movies.
SPREE Summer Camp | Various Locations Denver thegreenwayfoundation.org
Stanley British Primary | 350 Quebec St. stanleybps.org/summer
Swimming Simply | Denver/Aurora swimmingsimply.com
Urban Farm | 10200 Smith Rd. 720-414-6141
theurbanfarm.org/2024-summercamp
Experience the magic of the outdoors and animals at The Urban Farm!
Summer Camp at The Urban Farm (TUF) provides meaningful experiences for youth to connect with the outdoors and animals. Campers engage in a variety of educational activities and games, receiving handson learning about food production, the care for animals and being responsible stewards of the environment.
toCA Denver at Bladium | 2400 Central Park Blvd. bit.ly/3spyBfF
Explore MindCraft Makerspace Summer Camps, where creativity meets cutting-edge technology and tools! Our STEAM programs feature 3D printing, glass art, sewing and more. Guided by knowledgeable staff, our carefully-curated camps foster creativity and innovation. Join our loyal community and embark on unforgettable and fun learning adventures for your children!
Montessori Children’s house of Denver | Various Locations mchdenver.org
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church | 1980 Dahlia St. montview.org/children
Neighborhood Music & theatre at Stanley Marketplace | Aurora neighborhoodmusicstanley.com
Park hill Art Club | 216 S. Grant St. parkhillartclub.org
Übergrippen Indoor Climbing Crag | 8610 E. 21st Ave. 720-592-0712
ugclimbing.com/denver/camps
Join the adventure at CampGrippen, located at Übergrippen in Denver! Our summer camps feature six exciting themes that rotate throughout the season, offering climbing, fun challenges, and new skills. Perfect for active kids looking for an unforgettable summer. Sign up today, spaces are limited! wings over the Rockies Air & Space Museum | Lowr y wingsmuseum.org/education/camp/ End of Camp Listings
International Summer Dance Institute at Cleo Parker Robinson. Photo by Kollin Payne
Overtime Thriller
East Angels Beat GW Patriots In A Raucous Nail-Biter
Story and photos by Reid Neureiter
For the GPHN
It is not often that the traditional powerhouse Denver East boys basketball team enters a Denver Public Schools league match as the underdog.
But the Angels have struggled this year, with a losing record as of mid-January. By contrast, East’s traditional rival George Washington started the year strongly, with a 7-2 record, including dominant wins against Highlands Ranch and ThunderRidge.
So on Jan. 14, the smart money was on the Patriots when East faced off with George Washington on GW’s Chauncey Billups’ home court. The teams played to type through much of the game. George Washington led by as much as eight points midway through the third quarter, with junior Patriot guard Jack Young hitting numerous three-point shots. But East clawed back into contention, making it a one-point game with two minutes to play and tying the score at 55 with seconds to go. The standing-room-only George Washington gym was wild with rafter-shaking chants from the competing student sections. Despite the fervent home-side support, the overtime belonged to Angels. Although GW junior Jeremiah Trimm took one final three-point shot that
would have tied the game again, the ball clanged off the back of the rim for a 62-59 Angel victory.
East was led by seniors Fabian Morris and James Murray, with 17 points each. Morris was 7 for 11 from the field for a 64 percent shooting percentage.
Editor’s note: Check out greaterparkhill.org/overtime-thriller/ for more of Reid Neureiter’s photos from the East-GW game.
East senior guard James Murray (#2) drives past George Washington senior Malachi Headrick during the second half of East’s 62-59 overtime win on Jan. 14.
Breathing Cleaner Air
Free Air Purifiers Are Available For Northeast Park Hill Neighbors
By Lori Midson For the GPHN
Last year I applied for a Clean Air grant from the Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency to purchase and distribute air purifiers and filter replacements to residents in one of our most climate-threatened neighborhoods: Northeast Park Hill.
ment in which they live. By distributing air quality interventions, we’re playing a pivotal role in ensuring residents in Northeast Park Hill have access to cleaner air.
In October, we received the maximum grant award — $50,000 — to carry out that mission. As a result, Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC) is distributing 375 HEPAgrade (high efficiency particulate air) purifiers and replacement filters to some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
It’s an initiative that’s harmonious with our numerous sustainability efforts: zero-waste events, onsite composting, fully electrifying the building in which we are housed, spearheading neighborhood cleanups and minimizing food waste through our seasonal farm stand and food pantry.
We see the threatening consequences of Northeast Park Hill’s polluted air on a weekly basis during our food pantry operations. Several of our Northeast Park Hill clients experience asthma conditions and other health issues attributed to the harmful, high-pollution environ-
Over the past few weeks, we’ve distributed 150 purifiers and filters, which means we still have 175 to give away. There is absolutely no cost involved. If you or someone you know is a Northeast Park Hill resident interested in receiving an air purifier and replacement filters, please reach out to us at 303388-0918 or send an email to info@ greaterparkhill.org. We can either deliver a purifier to your residence, or you can pick one up at our office at 2823 Fairfax St.
Thanks for helping us spread the word.
Greater Park Hill Food Pantry
Food pantry visits have skyrocketed over the last year, and our pantry shelves always need replenishing. If you’re out shopping, please consider donating a few items from our needs list.
• Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, Vienna sausages and Spam
• Cereal and oatmeal
• Canned tomatoes, tomato paste
a nd tomato sauce
• Pasta sauce
• Hearty soups and stews
• Canned ravioli and chili
• Canned beans
FREE Air purifier
If you’re a Northeast Park Hill resident, you’re eligible to receive a FREE in-home air purifier and one year of FREE filter replacements from Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. as part of a clean air grant we received from the City of Denver. If you’d like an air purifier and filters, please call our office at 303-388-0918 or send an email to info@greaterparkhill.org.
Si es residente de Northeast Park Hill, es elegible para recibir un purificador de aire para el hogar GRATIS y un año de reemplazo de filtros GRATIS de Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. como parte de una subvención para aire limpio que recibimos de la ciudad de Denver. Si desea un purificador de aire y filtros, llame a nuestra oficina al 303-388-0918 o envíe un correo electrónico a info@greaterparkhill.org.
• Canned corn, peas, spinach and g reen beans
• Canned fruit
• Instant coffee and teabags
• Shelf-stable pasta and rice dishes (Rice-a-Roni, Knorr pasta and rice sides)
• Macaroni and cheese
• White rice
• Can openers
• Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, razors, shaving cream and body wash)
• Paper towels and toilet paper
• `Dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent (pods or powder)
We accept unopened and unexpired (please be mindful of expiration dates) food donations at our office (2823 Fairfax St.) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Thursdays between noon and 5 p.m.
Donations can also be dropped off in the bins inside Mayfair Liquors at 14th and Krameria Street and the Park Hill Library at Montview and Dexter Street during their normal business hours. Our food pantry
needs are updated as needed on the GPHC website: greaterparkhill.org/ food-programs/emergency-foodpantry/. We also welcome food drives on our behalf. To set up a food drive, please contact Lori Midson: director@greaterparkhill.org.
GPHC Membership
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is a membership-based organization whose voice is only as influential as its members. To become a member — or renew your GPHC membership — go to greaterparkhill.org/join-us/ become-a-member/ or drop off a check (and say hello) at our office at 2823 Fairfax St.
We look forward to serving you as a valued member, listening to your ideas and input and working collaboratively on projects, programs and issues.
Thank you to our current members, donors and volunteers for your kindness, in-kind and financial contributions, involvement and dedication to GPHC. You are deeply appreciated.
The following organizations and individuals donated to and volunteered with Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. last month: Businesses, Groups and Churches
Augustana Lutheran Church
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
City and County of Denver
Cure D’Ars Catholic Church
Dahlia Campus Farms and Gardens
Dank-Colorado
Elevated Eye Care
Food Bank of the Rockies
Messiah Community Church
Park Hill Branch Library
Park Hill United Methodist Church
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Starbucks
The Darth Side
Individuals and Families
Karen Adkins and Brian Moore
Sylvia Aldena
Barbara Allen
Penny AshleyLawrence
Kate Baldwin Wenzel
Jane Bays
Elizabeth Bennett
Holly Bennett and John Lebsack
Betsy and Geoffrey
Post
Lynn and Dennis Blum
Dennis T. Boucher
Brenda Morrison
Paul Brokering
Brooke and Alex Fleming
Abby Burton
Betsy Burton
Jennifer Calderone
Inga Calvin
Marty and Arna Caplan
Anthony Caravella
Sandra Caron
Charles and Barbara Reyman
Todd Cooper
Kristy Corcoran
Alicia Cronquist and Greg Keefe
Peggy Cuciti
Linda Davis
Christine and Tim Dea
Joel Dice
Donna Morganstern and Howard Belon
Nicola Dudek
Sheila Duffy
Tara, Liam and Cormac Dunn
Christine DupontPatz
Anna Engein
Erin and Josh Freedman
Amadea Kato Esquibel
Maria Ferguson
Lee FisherRosenberg
Anne & Joe Frank
Chip Galaty and Jenny Soep
Gary and Carolyn Martyn
Mary Gerwin
Bobbi Gillis
Sheree Goecke
Dee Gourd
Deloris Gourd
Princess Gray
Gretchen Groth
Shriram Gurumoorthy
Erica Gutierrez
Lisa Haddox
Simon and Elizabeth Hambidge
Whitney Hamblin
Linda & Charles Hamlin
Amy Harris
Shanta HarrisonSullivan
Pam and Duke Hartman
Janet Hazlett
Natalie Hengel
Team Hetterich
Adrienne Hill
Jen Hitt
Paula Hoffman
Barbara Homs
Ryan Hoskins
Carolyn Hoste
Romi Howell
Laura Hudgins
Julie Hunter
Julie Husson
Jody Igo
Elle Jackson
Thomas Jensen
Shirley & Michelle JohnsonMondragon
Matt Jordan
Helen Kemp
Wendy Klein
Lana and James Cordes
Jacqueline Lansing
Martha Lassen
Leo and Kathleen Schettler
Shontel Lewis
Roberta Locke
Lola and Arlen Hershberger
Lucy Loomis and Thomas Creighton
Lori Midson
Laurie Loughhead
Natalie and Patrick Love
Theresa Lower
Tracey Macdermott and Heather Shockey
Madison and Nate Spangler
Margie Maeder
Marc and Alice Applebaum
Mark and Clare Rhine
Mary Jo Stark and Edward Larock
Matthew and Elizabeth Spohn
Richard McCanna
Kerry McClauss
Michele and Erik Stark
Katherine Miller
Stephen and Laurel Mohr
Harriet Mullaney
Chris and Erin Nielsen
Nikki Wiederaenders and Tim Carrier
Peg Fleming Oldham
Patricia Paul
Gordon Phair
Francesca Pinto
Erika Power
Kurt Reisser
John Rice
Richard and Pamela Hennessey
Jennie Ridgley
Jeffrey and Karen
Roberts
Krista Roberts
Robin and Jay
McCarthy
Mary Salsich
Maria Sandoval
Sarah and Liz
Romer
Christine Schaefer
Ashley Schinske
Elaine Selsberg
Sarah Sexton
Barbara Sharp
Shelly and Stuart Scales
Clara Sims
Ashish Singh
Don Smith
Cheryl K Solko
Sarah Speicher
Jacqueline St. Joan
Mary Jo Starmer
Christopher Stewart
Emma Stewart
Julie Strawn
Ellen Sullivan
Penfield Tate
Todd & Renee
Hopkins
John Tull
Piep Van Heuven
Amy Van Vranken
Warren Volz
Erika Walker
Susan Walton
Donna Westmoreland
Pam and Chris Wineman
Judy Wolfe
Bradley Wood Dean and Marsha Woodward
Guy and Susan Wroble
Ellen Yu
Karen Zollars
Food Pantry
Volunteers
David Addor
Jasmine Brubaker
Zana Brown
Bruce Campbell
Audrey
Diamontopoulis
Claudia Fields
Princess Gray
Andy Hartman
Paula Marinelli
Betsy Post
Mark Pressey
Carole Robertson
Deb Rosenbaum
Ann Salamy
Heather Selph
Newspaper
Bundlers
Cara DeGette
Martha Douglas
Maria Flora
Laurel Mohr
Mike Quigley
Mary Salsich
Mark Silverstein
I’ll Be Seeing You Soon
The Praying Mantis is just one type of insect in the family of mantids, and it’s the one that usually gets the most notice because it grows to three inches or more. European mantids are most common in Colorado; they are bright green or brown. These insects can easily turn their heads to see in all directions and have widely spaced eyes that give them excellent binocular vision. Their eggs will hatch in the spring, and by late summer will be full grown. This Praying Mantis was photographed in Park Hill last summer by Mark Silverstein.
who we Are, what we Do
The Board of Directors of GPHC, Inc.
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill, provides resources, information and advocacy, and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation.
GPHC world headquarters is 2823 Fairfax St. If you have an issue you’d like to discuss about the neighborhood, reach out to your board representative. Representatives can be contacted via the main office, at 303-388-0918 or info@ greaterparkhill.org.
If you are interested in volunteering or serving on a committee, contact GPHC Board Chair Shane Sutherland at chair@greaterparkhill.org.
• Board Chair Shane Sutherland
• Treasurer Heather Shockey
• Secretary Bernadette Kelly
• District 1 Kevin Doyle
• District 2 Brenda Morrison
• District 3 Heather Shockey
• District 4 Currently Vacant
• District 5 Bernadette Kelly
• District 6 Currently Vacant
• District 7 Jon Bowman
• District 8 Nam Henderson
• District 9 Currently Vacant
• District 10 Colette Carey
• At Large Bruce Campbell
• At Large Mona Estrada
• At Large Maria Flora
• At Large Tracey MacDermott
• At Large Louis Plachowski lplachowski@gmail.com
• At Large Shane Sutherland
• Blessed Sacrament Betsy Boudreau
• Park Hill UMC Jacqui Shumway
Veterinary Potpourri
The Costs Of Pet Ownership, Plus An Update On Librela
By Margot K Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ
For the GPHN Cost Of Pet Ownership
We know that every year, with increases in taxes and prices, pet ownership is becoming more expensive. That can present challenges.
No veterinarian wants beloved pets to go without care. But we also know that there is a cost involved in care that is not always considered before a pet is acquired.
To put costs in perspective, lifetime costs for ownership of a cat or a dog averages $16,500 to $25,000 or more (see breakdowns below).
These include acquisition (purchase or adoption), ongoing annual maintenance, routine veterinary care, special costs (grooming, training, etc.) and supplies (collars/leashes, toys, carrier, bowls and treats).
For dogs, annual costs generally range from $1,400 to $3,555 based on the breed and size. For dogs living an average of 10 to 12 years, the lifetime cost can be $25,000 or greater.
For cats, the annual cost ranges from $1,200 to $1,500, with a lifetime cost of $16,500 or more.
Don’t be discouraged about pet ownership. However, it’s important to factor in a budget. Also, pet insurance can help expand pet care dollars for emergency and specialty care and also cover some costs for preventive care.
Other steps that can mitigate the costs of pet care include:
• Schedule regular veterinary checkups — annually for adult pets and every six months for senior pets.
• Spay or neuter your pet.
• Brush or use dental wipes daily for home dental care.
• Protect your pet from parasites.
• Buy high-quality pet food discuss pet nutrition and foods with your veterinarian.
An Update On Librela
Any doctor will admit that any drug can have side effects, and that writing a prescription involves weighing the potential benefits against the risks. —
Mark Udall
The FDA monitors all new drugs in veterinary and human medicine,
including reported adverse effects, and it regularly issues updates that report from the Animal Drug Adverse Events database.
A recent report on the monoclonal antibody treatment for canine osteoarthritis bedinvetmab (Librela) has been dramatically and emotionally amplified on social media outlets with some misinformation.
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) medications like Librela work by specifically targeting and binding to a particular protein in the body, essentially blocking its function, which can help manage conditions like pain or allergic reactions in dogs. Potential side effects can include injection site reactions, mild vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and in very rare cases, more severe allergic reactions or neurological signs, depending on the targeted protein and individual dog’s response.
In our practice, we have been using Librela since its release in the U.S. as a treatment for canine osteoarthritis and have seen very few adverse events — mostly transient urinary incontinence and mild skin response. Remember, no medication is ever without risk, and monoclonal antibodies are highly effective, highly targeted – think of all the high-speed warning at the end of commercials for all human mAb medications.
The population of dogs used for FDA approval testing in the U.S. were early senior dogs with confirmed or suspected osteoarthritis. Our treatment dogs in clinic include a much larger range of dogs, with a wide spread in age where the development of new concurrent issues — including neurologic signs — can occur.
Noted side effects are always discussed but happen in a very small percentage of dogs (0.001 percent — that’s one in 1,000) in the U.S. and Europe reporting.
Remember, always discuss treatment options with your veterinarian and don’t panic on the internet.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit parkhillvet. com.
gA r dens And Verses February tips
Soon a host of lovely flowers
From vales and woodland burst; But in all that fair procession The crocuses were first.
– Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, 1825-1911
The 2025 Garden Walk is set for June 8; make sure to check back in these pages for updates in the months ahead.
In the meantime, here are some seasonal tips for you and your garden:
• Colorado trees need water in w inter. In any month without at least an inch of precipitation, water trees 10 gallons for every 2 inches of diameter, or 20 minutes with a slow soak. Water only if temperatures are above freezing.
• If you haven’t already, plan your garden and order seeds and plants.
• Decorate indoors with houseplants.
• Reorganize your garden shed or garage.
• Keep trees mulched with wood
chips. Or if you can’t find them, small bark mulch. (Try getchipdrop.com for free arborist wood chips.)
• Replace mulch around any plant crowns that have been exposed by frost heaves.
• Late in the month, start indoor rosemary, celery and oregano.
Monthly garden tips are submitted by Park Hill Garden Walk organizer Kate Blanas. The annual Garden Walk is a major fundraiser for the Greater Park Hill Community. To volunteer or suggest local gardens or artists for upcoming garden walks, please contact Paula Marinelli at paulagardenwalk@ gmail.com.
g r e A T e r pA r k hI ll r e sources
Active Minds
The organization’s mission is to expand lives and minds by providing outstanding educational programs. Check out free lectures on topics ranging from music to history, current events to foreign affairs, including in and near Park Hill. A schedule of upcoming events is at activeminds.com
Art Garage
6100 E. 23rd Ave., artgaragedenver.com, 303-377-2353. The Art Garage is a nonprofit visual art community center whose mission is to offer arts-based programs that inspire, empower and promote creative self-expression by people of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. Check out ArtGarageDenver. com for details.
Blunders and Beers
Blunders and Beers is a Park Hill Chess Club that meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Longtable Brewhouse, 2895 Fairfax St., beginning at 6 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. Bring a board if you have one.
Daughters of the American Revolution
Are you interested in genealogy? Your family history? American history? The Frances Wisebart Jacobs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets regularly in the area. Contact Kathy Kelly at kkellyfwj76@gmail.com for details.
Denver Police District 2 3921 Holly St., 2.Dist@denvergov.org, non-emergency number is 720-913-1000. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
Denver Public Schools
dpsk12.org
Check the website for resources and updates. Call the helpline at 720-423-3054 for support in many languages.
Donations Resources
mation about their current state of operations.
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. 2823 Fairfax St., greaterparkhill. org, 303-388-0918
GPHC community meetings are conducted on the first Thursday of the month, except for December and July. The next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. The March meeting is Thursday, March 6. Check greaterparkhill.org/ join-us/community-meetings/ for info on how to participate.
Libraries
denverlibrary.org
See the “At the Library” feature on page 10 for updates and resources offered by the Park Hill and Pauline Robinson branch libraries.
Northeast Park Hill Coalition
The Northeast Park Hill Coalition hosts its monthly meeting the second Thursdays of the month. Location varies. Check the group’s Facebook page @ Northeast Park Hill Coalition for updates.
One World Singers
A choral group that performs music from diverse cultures and traditions, nurturing the musical abilities of all who wish to sing. Rehearsals every Thursday, September through May, at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Church, 22nd and Dexter. Email Sandy at owsmanager@yahoo. com or go to OneWorldSingers.org for more information.
Park Hill Community Bookstore
Established in 1971. Denver’s oldest nonprofit bookstore. Used and new books. 4620 E. 23rd Avenue. 303-355-8508. Members and volunteers get discounts and book credits. Check parkhillbookstore.org for current hours of operation.
Park Hill Peloton
A recreational group of road cyclists that roll from Park Hill once or twice a week. Check the current status of their rides on the Park Hill Peloton Facebook page. Sie Filmcenter 2510 E. Colfax, denverfilm.org, 303-595-3456.
Free Zoom Tai Chi
Thousands of our neighbors have been living unsheltered and are struggling for basic services. Thousands more are newcomers to Colorado, arriving with little to nothing. So many can use your help. Check out our online directory at greaterparkhill.org/spreading-thelove/ for organizations who accept donations — from clothes and furniture to bikes and baby essentials. Faith Community greaterparkhill.org/faith
Greater Park Hill’s faith community, home to over 30 places of worship in just four square miles, is as diverse and robust as the neighborhood itself. The GPHN maintains a list of Park Hill’s places of worship at the website above. Contact individual places of worship for infor-
Free Beginner Tai Chi Zoom Classes every Friday at 9 a.m. Longtime Park Hillers Jacqui and Joe lead the class. Call their clinic at 303-744766 or register online at TaiChiDenver.com.
Walk2Connect
www.walk2connect.com
Park Hill Sunrise Walking Trips happen every Tuesday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Meet in front of Honey Hill Cafe at 23rd & Dexter Street for a casual, conversational-paced community walk. Everyone is welcome. Submit your neighborhood events and resources to editor@greaterparkhill.org Deadlines are the 15th of the month, for the following month’s issue.
Crocus in Spring. Photo by Aaron Burden/Unsplash
gphn c l A s s IF I eds
CLEANING SERVICES
Lilly Maid Cleaning Service. Experienced, detail-oriented cleaner. Weekly, bi-weekly, or move-out. Free estimates. 720-296-9905
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
26 YR Licensed General Contractor in South Park Hill and Lead-Based Paint Abatement Firm. All Phases of Remodeling. Small jobs OK! Mold and Mildew Remediation. Power Spray Denver Dust, Off Exteriors. Call Mark-303-9213161. pikerprojects@gmail.com – All Remodeling. usabatement@yahoo.com – Lead-Based Paint
GUTTERS
Gutter Cleaning, repairs, and replacement. Gutter Cleaning prices start at $150 – House, Garage, Porches, and walks. 303-907-9223/skmehaffey@ gmail.com
MASONRY SERVICES
Masonry Services- Brick, Stone, Concrete repairs, restoration, tuckpointing, chimneys, retaining walls, city sidewalks; planter boxes. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com
Mason – Brick, stone, chimney repair, historic renovation. Your Park Hill Expert. Fully Insured, free estimates. Call Ben @720-670-0874.
PAINTING
Interior and exterior painting. Prep, power washing, professional. Owned
and operated by Park Hill resident with over 20 years of experience. Free estimate. JR Painting 720-485-7207 or jpabz04@gmail.com
Painting: Interior, exterior, small jobs welcome; sheetrock repairs and texture. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com
ROOFING
Roofing: Repairs, Inspections, Flashings, Hail Damage, and reroofing licensed, bonded, and insured. Gutter replacement and cleaning. 303-9079223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com TUCKPOINTING
Over 25 years of experience. Fully insured. Mortar color and brick matching, broken brick replacement, cement chimney crown replacement. 12 years Chicago union experience. Mr. Chimney and Home Masonry Repair. Call Chuck Bahnsen 303-948-7999
WINDOWS
Complete wood window restoration. Custom wood storm windows and screens. General painting, restoration and handyman services for your charming old home. Contact Matt 479871-8140
Double-hung window RESTORATION includes replacing sash cords (ropes) and removal of excess paint on wood and metal plus lubrication for smooth opening and closing. 40-year resident of PH. Contact David - 720550-2786
To advertise in the Classifieds contact newspaper@greaterparkhill.org 720-287-0442 (voicemail). the deadline for submission is the 15th of every month
Keep It Plugged In
Put Your Old Computer In New Hands
If you recently upgraded your computer and still have the old one lying around, PCs for People can give it new life by refurbishing it and passing it on to students and families.
Being digitally connected has become essential for healthcare, education and employment, but many people can’t afford computers to tap in to the digital world. PCs for People has become a national leader in digital inclusion with the goal of getting low cost computers and affordable broadband internet into homes of people with low incomes. Many of the computers that find new homes come from businesses but PCs for People also accepts computers and computer accesso-
ries from individuals.
The Denver location is at 6035 E. 38th Ave. They take drop-off’s Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you work for a business that’s upgrading their computers, reach out to PC’s for People and they’ll schedule a free pick-up. If you are in the market for a low-cost computer, stop by the location to check out the inventory. PCs for People also offers secure and responsible electronic recycling services. Check out pcsforpeople. org for a list of items they accept.
Mark Kuhl is an environmental advocate who lives in Park Hill. His handy recycling tips appear monthly and are at greaterparkhill.org/sustainability/recycling-directory/.
