Protecting the irreplaceable city and state parks that make Colorado a very special place to live and visit is a never-ending saga.
Last Friday, The Denver Post listed perils facing the state’s 42-park system and a new grading system that will influence which parks might be closed if finances don’t improve.
Colorado faces a 2010-11 shortfall of $256 million, and a 2011-12 predicted shortfall of $1.1 billion. Parks are essential to quality of life, but when dollars disappear, tough choices must be made. (For state park rankings, and to see what may be closed, go to , then “about us,” “parks board” and “September 2010 meeting.”)
Not all is depressing. Recent market research found that most state park visitors were Coloradans who spent an estimated $367 million within 50 miles of parks visited, a great boost to rural communities. Now’s the time to go visit one of our state parks, especially before entrance fees increase Nov. 1.
Meanwhile, in Denver, the debate is over closing off part of designated city parks to host paid admission events held by private for-profit entities continues.
The city charter says events may only be held in parks by non-profits and government entities. At every meeting I’ve attended, opponents of private for-profit events have far outnumbered those speaking for it. But the city isn’t listening.
On Sept. 10, Denver Parks manager Kevin Patterson adopted the policy that would allow private, for-profit entities to fence off part of a Denver park and charge admission to an event. It goes to the City Council for final approval in the next month or two — but they don’t much listen to the public, either.
The initial list includes “regional festival parks” — Civic Center, City Park, Confluence and Skyline parks, and Central Park in Stapleton. All permit alcohol sales. Also listed, but without alcohol sales, are Ruby Hill and Park Field in Montbello.
On another matter: Alas, no prince on a white horse saved Angelo di Benedetto’s “Justice Through the Ages” mural that had been at the Colorado State Judicial Building at Civic Center since 1978. It was painted on cement and asbestos panels, which sealed its doom, and was sent to an asbestos landfill when the building was demolished for a new judicial center.
I and others mourn its cavalier destruction.
The new judicial building will go on South Broadway between 13th and 14th avenues. The Colorado Historical Society — under construction a block south — had been on half the block. Among its treasures were mining artifacts, including a 16-ton 1940 coal loader, an 8-ton 1930 mine exhaust fan and a 305-ton 1920 rotary car dump. The society tried to find an appropriate home for the artifacts, but there were no takers.
Bah and humbug. This week, I learned they were recycled with the rest of the building.
Joanne Ditmer has been writing on environmental and urban issues for The Post since 1962.
