Denver Parks and Recreation is looking at adding six sites to a list of parks that can host private outdoor fee-based activities, but that idea is not sitting well with some people near Cheesman Park.
and has an extensive list of what parks are eligible for these activities. The activities include any sports camps, clinics, exercise programs and guided classes run by an outside group. Parks can be added or subtracted to the list on the authority of Parks and Rec executive director Lauri Dannemiller.
Cheesman, at Eighth Avenue and Franklin Street, is the most notable of the parks on this list of new sites.
“It’s extremely distasteful and disrespectful,” said Jay Rust, president of Friends and Neighbors of Cheesman Park, a registered neighborhood organization. “I see this as a slap in the face.”
Friends and Neighbors of Cheesman Park passed a resolution last week opposing the inclusion of its park on this list and calling for the end of permitting for outdoor fee-based activities.
The five other parks on the list for inclusion in allowing fee-based events include La Alma/Lincoln, Westwood, George Wallace, Argo and Forrest Parkway.
Already such as City, Washington, Central and Civic Center parks. Permits are typically limited for each parks.
Parks and Recreation spokesman Jeff Green said the reason some of these parks — Cheesman in particular — are on the new list is that they have seen some of these fee-based activities operating without a permit.
He said the department is aware of the outcry against the policy.
“The reality is it’s happening,” Green said of the activities. “We felt that it was better to get a permit and put it in place.”
Rust said the fact that these activities are occurring shouldn’t be an excuse to charge these groups, they should be removed from the parks in his mind.
“What should happen is park rangers should issue citations,” Rust said.
depending on which park is used and the number of people present. There is a maximum of 25 participants per activity.
The department is also looking at allowing nonprofits groups to get permits either with no charge or a suggested donation. Those groups would still be charged a $25 processing fee, according to Green.
Denver Parks and Rec is accepting feedback through May 14 when its advisory board will make a recommendation to Dannemiller.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc
