Usually used as a pathway rather than a destination, Denver’s Civic Center Park needs to step up its game. (Callaghan O’Hare, The Denver Post)
Re: “5 ways to save Civic Center,” Aug. 9 Arts & Culture story.
Ray Mark Rinaldi is an excellent, insightful writer, by and large, but his recent article on Civic Center illustrates his annoying tendency to seek a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist.
Rinaldi offered a number of suggested “improvements” for Civic Center. They range from rather modest changes (to which I am open, pending details) to silly and bombastic ones. He wants “big moves.” He wants a lot more activity. He wants a lot more pedestrian traffic. He wants a beer garden! Huh?
Civic Center is basically just fine the way it is. So is City Park. These are spaces that are meant to be islands of quiet — open spaces, simple, unadorned, comforting.
One of the alleged benefits of the mind-boggling ideas proposed by Rinaldi is reduction of crime and vagrancy. Uh huh. Hey, I dislike some of the funky activity in Civic Center, but itap something that comes with the territory. I have never felt threatened or uncomfortable there.
A park is a park. It doesn’t need to be a statement. Leave Civic Center alone.
Jack Farrar, Denver
Ray Mark Rinaldi forgot to mention that for 18 years, 1989-2007, Theater in the Park offered free theatrical performances on the stage of the Greek Amphitheater. These were privately funded by tax-deductible contributions, foundation grants, etc., but ended when funds dried up. During those years, 54 productions (more than 150 performances) were presented free of charge to the public and attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of people every weekend.
It is unfortunate that no one was found willing to take over this fantastic program. Sure, it cost money, but what a benefit to the community. Could it be remotely possible that somewhere, someone, with the help of the city, might be willing to bring Theater in the Park back to life?
Sam Emmanuel, Greenwood Village
This letter was published in the Aug. 18 edition.
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