Private citizens aren’t supposed to build memorials in city parks. But because of planner’s error, a bronze plaque placed in Sloan’s Lake Park by the family of a murdered man may stay there forever.
Almost two years ago, after Joseph Trujillo was shot and killed near the park by Shari Herrera, his family asked the city of Denver for approval to place a memorial in the park, near West 17th Avenue and Utica Street.
A park planner, who has since retired, granted the request.
“They did ask permission,” Denver Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Jill McGranahan said. “Our own staff didn’t follow protocol.”
McGranahan said there are few requests for private park memorials, and even fewer granted. “We don’t want to set a precedent that may interrupt the open, park-like nature of our parks,” she said.
The retired Sloan’s Lake Park planner and members of the Trujillo family were unavailable for comment.
The small, square tribute to Trujillo, who was 56 when he died, was cemented into the lawn on the south side of the park. It reads: “In Loving Memory of Joseph Trujillo — Love — Your wife, children, & grandchildren.”
Joseph Trujillo’s wife, Eva Trujillo, said the family asked to place the memorial because “he was cremated and the children wanted a place to go visit him where he was last seen.”
“I think the memorial is nice. The family has some respect for him. They come out once a month and groom that thing, they care,” said John Wilson, who lives in the neighborhood and rides his bicycle around the park for exercise.
Wilson said he remembers when Trujillo was shot because it happened on a sidewalk near the memorial. After the crime, the man’s death was all regular park visitors could talk about.
“As long as they keep it up, I don’t see why it shouldn’t stay,” Wilson added. “It’s not hurting anyone.”
Herrera shot Trujillo on Oct. 8, 2007. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving a 22-year sentence.
Since Trujillo’s shooting, another death was reported in Sloan’s Lake Park. In July, a homeless man named Paul Garcia drowned on the south side of the park in the lake.
“His friends put up a little memorial for him, but someone keeps taking it away,” Wilson said, “and that’s not fair.”
Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com
What’s the policy?
Denver Parks and Recreation policy forbids “memorials, markers, buildings, or other structures from being placed or constructed in any Denver County city park with the exception of those that have been officially sanctioned by the park department and include memorial benches or trees.”
