University Park

May - 2004 UP WORDS

May 21, 2004

UPCC CALENDAR
May 20, 7 PM at Driscoll Center-- DU Good Neighbors Meeting
May 29, after dusk, free Star-Gazing at Chamberlin Observatory
June 2, 7 PM UPCC Board Meeting (call 303-765-0233 for info)
July 3, 10 AM Annual Independence Day Parade & Band, Observatory Park


UPCC OFFICERS ELECTED MAY 5, 2004

At the Annual Spring Meeting of the University Park Community Council on May 5, 2004, the following officers were elected: Co-Presidents Andi Malard and Rosemary Stoffel, Vice-President Bill Winn, Secretary Jan Walsh, and Co-Treasurers June Morgan and Whit Whitbeck. Congratulations!

BLOCK CAPTAINS RECEIVE THANKS, COOKIES and LEMONADE

Immediately prior to the May 5 UPCC Spring Meeting, all Area Coordinators and Block Captains were honored by the UPCC Board with a special get-together. These great UP citizens also were recognized during the meeting itself for their dedication in delivering the UPCC Newsletter and all the other good deeds they perform keeping watch over their blocks. Another round of applause for these special neighbors!

TWO PRESENTATIONS AT MAY MEETING

Mr. Pamayota Kelaidis of the Denver Botanic Gardens gave a delightful and helpful talk on landscape in this Denver climate. He pointed out that we are still very much pioneers in learning the best techniques and the best plants, compared with the centuries-old experience in many other places. He encouraged us to keep on pioneering, and offered a number of helpful ideas regarding various types of landscape, watering, creativity, and perseverance.

Mr. Pat Barron, a UP resident (and his wife is a Block Captain) talked about a building proposal he is considering which would redevelop the NE corner of South University Blvd. and East Evans Ave. This would include all shops from the corner to the alley, and as far north as (including) Coos Bay. His idea is for a 4-story building with retail on the main floor and 21 four-person housing units above. The preliminary plan has 60 parking places in two underground levels. 30 for residents and 30 for retail patrons. Mr. Barron is to be credited for sounding out his plan with neighbors and with DU before making any decision on his option.

SIDEWALK COMMITTEE NEWS - by Committee Chairperson Mary Myers

At our April meeting we discussed a proposal to work with the Pedestrian Safety Committee on an observational study at UP School and Most Precious Blood elementary school, both located on E. Iliff Ave. Pedestrian and vehicle activity around the schools would be recorded. The statistics can be used to urge city officials to take action for installation of needed sidewalks. [This study was done and results showed considerable activity.]

Five committee members attended the April 7 Denver Planning Board public hearing on the city's proposed Pedestrian Master Plan (PMP). Board members agree the plan is needed, but voted to postpone approval, asking for specifics about funding and implementation. On May 19 the Planning Board approved the PMP. Next it goes to City Council committee, then to City Council for hearing and vote.

We have tracked A bill in the State Legislature to distribute federal founds to local governments to establish and administer a "safe routes to school" program, funding pedestrian and bicycle safety projects in school areas. [We were happy to hear that this bill passed.] It's encouraging to see government programs that focus on walking and bicycling! We feel we're progressing to our goal of making UP a safer place to live and work.

GOOD-NEIGHBORING TIPS

If student parties (or anyone's) get too loud and you don't want to go to ask them to quiet down, don't hesitate to call the police at 720-913-2000. Please sign a complaint, as that goes on the record... For problems like weeds, illegal signs, etc. please call Neighborhood Inspection Services, 720-865-3200. For Neighborhood Watch information, please call UPCC chairperson Debbie Frei, 303-757-3525.

INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENT WILL BE SATURDAY, JULY 3 !

Diana Dokter is the Chairperson for this annual UPCC event, which begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 3. Children in colorful outfits, with decorated trikes, bikes, wagons, scooters, buggies-- and dogs -- parade up and down E. Warren Avenue at the park, while the VFW Band plays stirring patriotic tunes. The Fire Dept. will show up after awhile, and the paraders adjourn to the playground area (for a free shower, quire often!). This is a great all-UP event, and it's a fine time to greet our neighbors.

UPCC VOLUNTARY "DUES" ARE DUE for 2004

If you haven't already contributed the suggested voluntary $15 annual dues to keep the UPCC up and running, you can do so by sending a check to "UPCC" to Co-Treasurer June Morgan, 2100 S. Monroe St., 80210. Thanks very much! These funds pay for the newsletter, the Independence Day and Holiday Sing events, and a number of special neighborhood projects.

A MESSAGE FROM THE UPCC PRESIDENT-- Just to let you know what your annual $15.00 dues helped to do this past year... All University Park residents are members of UPCC. However, we have an annual voluntary dues program. This past year UPCC used these
es to fund several neighborhood projects as well as participate in some city-wide programs. Our neighbors volunteer their time and energy (and sometimes food!) so the dues can pay for permits, printing/copying, rentals, and more food and drink. Here?’s
list of a few of the programs your $15.00 supports annually: University Park Neighborhood General Meetings, University Park 4th of July Parade, University Park Holiday Sing and Clydesdales Wagon Rides at the Observatory, Printing of Purple Pages and N
sletters, Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation?’s Dollar Dictionary Program (provides a dictionary and thesaurus to every 3rd-grade DPS student). We certainly appreciate your annual dues contribution and hope to
see you all at our neighborhood meetings and gatherings! Thank you, Andi Malard