Back To School Safety Tips for Students from Denver Police Department District 2

Hello friends and neighbors,

I hope all of you had a great summer and accomplished all of the fun things that summer offers. As summer nears an end and we quickly approach autumn, children are returning to school for the 2009/2010 year we would like to remind you of a few safety tips to share with your student;

Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings and, if possible, with intersections that have crossing guards. Walk the route with your child beforehand. Tell him or her to stay away from parks, empty lots, fields and other places where there aren't many people around. Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remember, a stranger is anyone you or your children don't know well or don't trust. Be sure your child walks to and from school with a sibling, friend, or neighbor. Teach your kids - whether walking, biking, or riding the bus to school - to obey all traffic signals, signs and traffic officers. Remind them to be extra careful in bad weather. When driving kids, deliver and pick them up as close to the school as possible. Don't leave until they are in the playground or building. If your child bikes to school make sure he wears a helmet that meets safety standard. If your child rides a scooter to school, make sure she wears sturdy shoes, a helmet, kneepads and elbow pads. Teach children to arrive at the bus stop early, stay out of the street, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching the street, watch for cars and avoid the driver's blind spot. Remind your children to stay seated at all times and keep their heads and arms inside the bus while riding. When exiting the bus, children should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, exit from the front using the handrail to avoid falls and to not walk in front of the bus as the driver may not see him. Be sure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies.


On the PlaygroundCheck the playground equipment at your child's school. Look for hazards such as rusted or broken equipment and dangerous surfaces. The surface around the equipment should be covered with wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber to prevent head injury when a child falls. Report any hazards to the school. Avoid any drawstrings on the hood or around the neck of jackets and sweatshirts. Drawstrings at the waist or bottom of jackets should extend no more than three inches long to prevent catching in car and school bus doors or getting caught on playground equipment. Make sure that the school's sports head or a custodian anchors soccer goals into the ground so they won't tip over and crush a child. Teach children proper playground behavior: no pushing, shoving, or crowding. Give your child some strategies for coping with bullies. He should not give in to a bully's demands, but should simply walk away or tell the bully to stop. If the bullying continues, talk to the teacher.

We share this information with the help of readers digest along with various other agencies from across the United States

Sincerely,

Technician Reyes Trujillo
Denver Police Department
District Two
Community Resource Officer

Information on the demolition of 3255 Champa Street

Community Planning and Development Landmark Preservation, received an application for demolition of 3255 Champa Street on August 18, 2009. This building is within the Curtis-Champa Street National Historic District. This district was re-recorded in 2006 by the Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) at which time 3255 Champa Street was determined to be a contributing structure to the Curtis-Champa Street National Historic District. The building has been determined to have potential for local designation.

This property will be posted for a period of twenty-one (21) days from the date of notification for comment about the potential for historic designation of the property.

· If the posting period elapses and no application for historic designation is received by CPD Landmark Preservation Staff, the demolition permit shall be issued upon compliance with all Denver Building and Fire Code requirements.
· If an application for historic designation, along with the applicable fee, is received before the 21 days elapse, the existing designation process will be followed.

RAAP Free Self Defense Class on August 29th: Girls Ages 13-19

On August 29, 2009 the Denver Police Department in partnership with the Rape Assistance and Awareness Program (RAAP) will be hosting a self protection and empowerment training class for teenage girls. The class is open to all girls between the ages of 13-19. The class will be held at the District One Community Room between 0900-1200 and is limited to the first 25 girls who register. If interested please fill out the attached waiver form and return to Lt. Vince Porter in the Chief’s Office. Please include the participant’s full name and age. ANYBODY UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT FEMALE.

Any questions contact Lt. Vince Porter at 720-913-6995 or email at vince.porter@denvergov.org

Clases de YOGA en Español con Focus Points!

Yoga Classes in Spanish with Focus Points!

Yoga is a wonderful practice for a healthy mind and body!


When: The first and third Thursdays of the month
5:30-6:30pm

Where: St. Charles Recreation Center
3777 Lafayette Street

~Please call Linnea if you are interested in joining us: 303-928-7139

Clases de YOGA en Español con Focus Points!

La yoga es muy buena para la salud de
la mente y el cuerpo.

Cuando: El primer y tercer
jueves del mes
5:30-6:30pm

Dónde: St. Charles Rec. Center 3777 Lafayette Street

~Por favor, llamar a Linnea Bjorkman si está interestada en venir: 303-928-7139

St. Charles Recreation Center selected as Recreation Center Pilot Site

Recreation Center Pilot Sites Selected
Denver Parks and Recreation to begin selection of
Community Advisory Committee Members

Denver, August 14, 2009 —Denver Parks and Recreation announced at its August 13, 2009 Board meeting the pilot sites identified as part of the Recreation Center Task Force recommendations. A recreation committee, comprised of DP R recreation center staff members, has chosen the pilot sites to be used to focus on developing collaborative partnerships with like-minded organizations in order to enhance programming and amenities in Denver recreation centers.

The seven centers for the pilot program, selected by the recreation committee, are Harvey Park Recreation Center , St. Charles Recreation Center , Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center , Scheitler/Highland Recreation Centers (combined), Globeville Recreation Center and the Central Park Recreation Center (Stapleton Development).

The Denver Recreation Center Task Force (Task Force), a group comprised of community leaders, neighborhood activists, Denver Parks & Recreation staff and citizens, was formed in 2008 to make recommendations for the future of Denver recreation, which will guide decision-making for the next 5-10 years.

Among the Task Force recommendations, which focused on the value of the system, programs and opportunities, location/transportation and fee structure, was the recommendation of developing collaborative partnerships for all centers to enhance programming opportunities.
The criteria used to select the pilot sites included:
Services or lack of services provided in the neighborhood
Has center received community request for additional services or is there a lack of services provided in the center/neighborhood due to budget constraints.

Equity
Equity addresses the need to make sure pilot centers are distributed throughout the City, are on different tiers (RCTF – regional, local, neighborhood) and/or can enhance services to specific demographics such as youth, seniors, community surrounding the center

Neighborhood and Citywide Focus
Centers that have other opportunities occurring outside of DP R that may affect the community surrounding the center, such as re-structuring of Kunsmiller Middle School near Harvey Park Recreation Center. Other considerations included future development of the area around the center.

Potential partners
The recreation committee looked at centers that have existing partners currently that can be expanded, have potential partners who have currently expressed interested in partnering at a specific center and centers that have no existing partnerships, but which could be developed at the center.
With the pilot sites selected, the recreation committee is now implementing the RCTF recommendation to establish a Community Advisory Committees (CACs) for each of the pilot centers. These CACs will be tasked with identifying the needs of community around each of the pilot centers, reporting to the DP R leadership and assisting DP R in selecting partners for each center. Citizens interested in participating on the CAC committee for pilot centers can visit the Denver Parks and Recreation Web site at www.denvergov.org/parksandrec beginning Tuesday, August 18, where an application and more information will be available.

The other recommendations of the Task Force include:

The Service Model

The Task Force recommended the Department embrace a Service Model that provides facilities and service by collaborating with others to support local needs by engaging community members in Community Advisory Committees; pursuing formal partnerships; setting measurable targets; establishing standard levels of service; create better staffing models; and testing pilot sites.

It is recommended that Denver Parks and Recreation:

Develop and train local Community Advisory Committees (CACs) to guide service provision and assist in holding the collaborations accountable for achieving key community needs.

· Set measurable targets for change for all centers.

· Actively pursue Collaborations/Partnerships to implement the Service Model.

Establish a Standard Level of Service for all centers including a maintenance, operations, staffing and programming baseline of care and quality.

Develop a staffing plan that allows staff to go beyond what they currently do to meet the needs of the community, provides for proper training and engages staff in the process to maximize improvements in quality.

Establish pilot sites for the service model to test processes for community input and engaging program and operating partners.

Programs and Opportunities

The Task Force recommended the Department improve all levels of programs and opportunities by establishing a standard level of programming and by identifying and responding to community needs.

It is recommended that Denver Parks and Recreation:

· Establish a Standard Level of Programming for all centers

Identify key community needs and opportunities

· Establish a programming focus for some centers

The Physical System (Location and Transportation)

The Task Force recommended the Department develop high facility standards for all recreation centers to assure customers and employees feel valued and important.

It is recommended that Denver Parks and Recreation:

§ Establish a tiered system of recreation centers including neighborhood and local service, supplemented by regional service, with focus on investment of additional resources through partnerships and collaborations.

Consolidate service and partnership opportunities to provide a high quality, improvement in service overall.

Consider transportation barriers when developing improvement plans.

Fee Structure

The Task Force recommended the Department restructure the fee system to be more responsive to both the community served and the type of service provided.

It is recommended that Denver Parks and Recreation:

· Encourage staff to seek alternatives for generating revenue in order to keep fees affordable. These alternatives could include such things as vending, concessions, room rentals, and others.

Offer financial-need discounts within the fee structure, as available currently.

· Establish a fee system based on amenities

· Encourage participation by youth, seniors and people with disabilities through lower fees within the amenities-based fee structure.

· Offer variety of payment options

Offer additional incentives to use


Recreation Center Tier Proposal

Neighborhood Centers: smaller facilities with programming based on neighborhood needs and input.
Ashland Recreation Center
Aztlan Recreation Center
Barnum Recreation Center
College View Recreation Center
Globeville Recreation Center
Stapleton Recreation Center
Highland Senior Recreation Center
Johnson Recreation Center
La Alma Recreation Center
ML King Recreation Center
Platt Park Senior Recreation Center
St. Charles Recreation Center

Local Centers: medium sized facility with or without an indoor pool; standard level of programming for youth, adults, seniors that focus on fitness, sports, aquatics (if applicable), education and culture, outdoor education, social enrichment and special events and partnerships.
Ashland Indoor Pool facility
Central Denver Recreation Center (opening date/location/amenities undetermined)
Cook Park Recreation Center
Eisenhower Recreation Center
Glenarm Recreation Center
Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center
Harvard Gulch Recreation Center
Harvey Park Recreation Center
Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center
La Familia Recreation Center
Southwest Recreation Center
20th St. Gym

Regional Centers: full service facility that includes gym, well equipped weight room, indoor pool, game room, multi-purpose rooms and classrooms; enhanced programming for multiple ages and abilities.
Athmar Recreation Center
Montbello Recreation Center
Montclair Recreation Center
New Center (Stapleton)
Rude Recreation Center
Scheitler Recreation Center
Swansea Recreation Center with improved enhancements (indoor pool and updated amenities)
Washington Park Recreation Center

The complete list of recommendations and action items is available on the recreation Web site at www.denvergov.org/recreation.

Fall Shade Tree Distribution!

As you may have heard, we're piloting a new tree distribution this fall. This distribution will focus on providing Denver residents with free and low-cost shade trees to plant in their yards (not in the tree lawn in the public right-of-way).

Strategically planted, these medium and large sized trees will help Denver residents save money and fight global warming by providing valuable energy-saving shade for residents' homes.

In addition to helping us conserve energy, they will also beautify our urban spaces, enhance property values (up to 10%!), reduce air pollution, buffer noise, and provide shelter for birds and other wildlife.

Mark your calendar! Distribution Day Saturday, October 3 Read more details about the program.

As many of you veteran Denver Digs volunteers know, we'll need lots of volunteer-power to pull this event off. We'll need Tree Wranglers to help unload the tree shipment ahead of time, Office Helpers to get us organized the weeks before, Tree Planters and Distribution Site Workers on the big day, and much more! Later this month, I'll send out a message with more details and ask for sign-ups.

Right now, we need...Neighborhood Outreach Volunteers
Spread the word... Share your enthusiasm... You can be a voice for our community trees!

Since we'll focus our canvassing in our target (lowest canopy cover) neighborhoods, you'll also be sharing an important resource (trees!) with Denver 's most under-resourced neighborhoods.

Go door-to-door with tree applications and door hangers to encourage residents to apply for trees. Our deadline for applications is September 1, so we need to canvass within the next 3 weeks. Since we're working on a short timeline, you can canvass at your convenience. Just pick up materials from our office (at Wash Park ), and make your rounds whenever works best for you. If you'd like a partner, invite a friend to help you or ask me to set you up with a partner. I will provide a map of your canvass area and a script to guide you in speaking with residents.

** While we have greater success when canvassers speak with residents, if you only have time to drop door hangers at residents' doors, that's fine. We just need to get the word out! **

Site Coordinators - We'll need 1 or 2 fearless leaders for our distribution site(s) on October 3. We're still solidifying the locations but would like to gage interest. Please contact me if you're interested in serving as a Site Coordinator. Prior role as a Site Coordinator valued, experience working at a distribution site required.

Please contact me at (303) 722-6262 or kim@theparkpeople.org if you can help!

July 30, 2009 - Minutes from CNA Meeting

Representatives from Urban Land Conservancy, Hope Communities and Groundwork Denver made presentations to the group (more information below).

Reports were given on neighborhood beautification efforts, National Night Out (Aug. 4), nonprofit status of the association, the 38th/Blake commuter train line station, and St. Charles Recreation Center (more information below).

Upcoming events
Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Help staff at Cole Arts and Sciences Academy (33rd/Humboldt) move books out of storage and into classrooms. Bagels, coffee and snacks will be provided.
Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 a.m. - Learn more about the city of Denver's resources for neighborhood groups at this yearly event at Coors Field. Tours of the ballpark will commence afterwards.
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 5:30 - 8 p.m. - National Night Out celebration at Sonny Lawson Park (24th Ave. between Welton and California Streets). Food, games, and activities for children and families.

Urban Land Conservancy http://www.urbanlandc.org/ - Debra BustosDebra provided an introduction about the Urban Land Conservancy (ULC), discussing its mission overall and its activities in the Cole neighborhood. ULC is a nonprofit organization that acquires and uses real estate as a tool for community development and engagement. Its offices are located in the Phillips Center at 35th and Franklin. The organization also owns Holly Square Shopping Center, which it plans to redevelop.

ULC currently leases space to six different nonprofits operating out of the Phillips Center: a charter high school, Early Excellence at Wyatt (preschool), Focus Points, CityWILD, Snowsports Outreach Society (SOS), and Civic Canopy.
The organization's plans to renovate and refurbish the Phillips Center have been delayed by current economic conditions. The organization plans to retain space and support for nonprofits working out of the building. Other ideas include building a gymnasium and adding on mixed income housing.

Debra also spoke about the ULC's upcoming community event - the Phillips Center Neighborhood Festival on Sept. 19 in the afternoon. This will be the second year of the festival. Activities include chalk art, face painting, bouncy slide, karaoke, and performances by local neighborhood/school groups. The organization asks Cole neighborhood residents to volunteer to participate in the planning committee, volunteer to run activities, or share ideas about how to make the event a long-term success. Those interested can contact Mary Janiszewski at maryj@urbanlandc.org or 303-454-5369.

Hope Communities http://www.hopecommunities.org/ - Leticia HoraceLeticia spoke about the work of Hope Communities providing affordable housing and supportive services for residents in need in northeastern Denver neighborhoods. The organization is currently planning its ninth annual Hands for Hope Day on Sept. 19, which is a community-wide service day. Registration will start at 7 a.m.; volunteers will work until noon.

Hope Communities has asked for Cole neighborhood residents to suggest volunteer work sites. Suggested sites are homes of low-income, elderly or disabled individuals; neighborhood schools; and nonprofit facilities. Projects can include, but are not limited to, cleaning, landscaping, and painting. Sites should accommodate 10-50 people for a four-hour period of service.
Another request was to coordinate volunteers or groups of volunteers to participate in the service day. Groups of 10-50 people are welcome. Cole Neighborhood Association members will participate in the event.

For suggestions about work sites, registration of volunteers, or questions, interested individuals should contact Hope Communities. 303-860-7747 x130 or zenzal@hopecommunities.org.
Groundwork Denver http://www.groundworkdenver.org/ - Ray RibotaRay talked about Groundwork Denver's (GWD) mission to respect and improve the environment while promoting citizens' health and well-being. The organization accomplishes its mission through community outreach and education programs aimed at providing people with the information and tools they need to save energy, recycle, reduce pollution.

On August 8, Groundwork Denver volunteers will canvas the Cole neighborhood to help residents reduce their energy bills by changing out front porch light bulbs, providing informatino about reducing energy use, and signing people up for recycling, home weatherization and street trees.

The organization is currently looking for volunteers to help with this effort.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 8 Time: 9-9:30 a.m. training 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. neighorhood canvassingMeeting place: St. Charles Recreation Center at 3777 Lafayette Street
For more information, e-mail info@groundworkdenver.org or call 303-455-5600.
Neighborhood beautification - Jules Kelty Jules reported that signs for the Cole Neighborhood Yard of the Month program are going to be ready soon. Nominations for Yard of the Month can be sent to cna.denver@gmail.com. Gift certificates from a local landscaping company were donated as prizes.

Members in attendance voted that, outside of one area needing attention, clean-up efforts for the neighborhood would be combined with already existing events for the fall. The next Cole neighborhood clean-up events are as follows:
August TBD - Cole volunteers are needed to help mow and clean up a small lot (near 34th/Marion) that will be gifted to the neighborhood association for potential sale.
Sept. 19 - Cole volunteers will participate in Hope Communities "Hands for Hope Day." More details will be shared at the August meeting.October - Cole volunteers will join Rebuilding Together Metro Denver in clean-up efforts around the neighborhood. More details will be shared at the September meeting.
National Night Out - August 4 - Sonny Lawson Park (24th Avenue between Welton and California Streets)All residents are invited to a northeast Denver neighborhood celebration of National Night Out, America's Night Out Against Crime. The even is free and takes place from 5:30-8 p.m. Food and family-friendly activities will be available for all to enjoy! For more information, and/or to volunteer, contact parkavecopshop@gmail.com or 720-865-2355.

501(c)(3) application status - Loralie ColeLoralie notified the group that she has begun working on the application for Cole Neighborhood Association to receive official designation as a nonprofit organization.

Commuter light rail - Loralie ColeLoralie shared with the group that the planning committee for the extension of light rail service from downtown Denver to DIA has decided to move the 38th/Blake station to 36th/Blake in order to improve pedestrian access to the station. Also within the plan, Loralie noted that there are plans to add additional open space near St. Charles Recreation Center. The committee plans to complete the project by 2015.
Denver Rezoning - Loralie ColeLoralie said that Cole has been designated as a permanent residential neighborhood, and at this time, it will remain a single-family home area. Bruce Randolph is maintaind as a thoroughfare, and Downing was designated for "main street" zoning. More information on rezoning efforts can be found in the attached newsletter or online at http://www.newcodedenver.org/.

St. Charles Recreation Center - Casey Howshar Casey, who is the director of St. Charles Recreation Center, provided several updates to the group about the recreation center.
Nearly all age groups are full for the Center's baseball and softball programs during the summer. A coach from Manual High School has been actively trying to involve youth in other sports activities.

On Aug. 15, members of the gang-prevention group GRASP will march from Manual High School to St. Charles.

Casey also reached out to Carla Madison to discuss needs for renovations at the Center. She asked for support from the neighborhood association, and she will pass on contact information for residents to write letters of support about the Center.

Free outdoor movies at 35th/Humboldt - Paul BiedenbenderPaul, from the Lutheran church at 35th/Humboldt, invited residents to attend its next free outdoor movie night on August 21. He also mentioned that architectural plans have been approved for the church's building/expansion plans.

Downtown Denver Parking Survey

The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. and LoDo District, Inc. are sponsoring a survey to measure the perceptions concerning the parking experience in Downtown Denver. As part of this process, we are seeking input from Downtown Denver customers and visitors about their visits to Downtown Denver for reasons other than work.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=0B0VHMTg5BlbfVRirD6fSQ_3d_3d

We would appreciate it if you could please take a few minutes to forward on the survey link above to your neighbors, friends, and family members who may be Downtown Denver customers and visitors. Please note that individual responses will remain confidential, but individuals have the opportunity to be entered into a drawing for a prize package from Downtown businesses if they provide their contact information. The survey will remain open until August 15, 2009.