SUN June Outreach Meetings Recap

The June Outreach meeting began with updates from Denver police. Lt. Ian Culverhouse introduced his replacement, Lt. Kevin Hines, the new lieutenant for the Stapleton area. Culverhouse suggested summertime safety measures for attendees: Remind childcare providers or any other persons staying in the area to keep house and car doors closed and locked. If a remote garage door opener is taken from a car, immediately throw away all other remotes and replace the set. Finally, a special unit is funded by Denver Police to issue citations for fireworks, which are illegal in Denver; if this unit is dispatched, residents will receive a citation.

Michelle Wingfield from the Central Park Recreation Center shared information about a running group that meets at the rec center Thursday mornings at 5:55am to run 3-6 miles. Join this group on Facebook at Northeast Denver Running Connect, or in person on Thursday mornings.

Librarian Lily Kosmicki from Denver’s Sam Gary Branch discussed summer programming, including 2pm Tuesday presentations for kids of all ages; 2pm Wednesday crafts for teens; a July 14 “How to Spot Fake News” seminar; and Monday, July 23 “Pollinator Basics” for aspiring apiculturists or anyone who finds bees interesting. On August 5 from 1:30 to 3pm, the library will host an activity fair for the whole community, where interested persons can learn more information about regional organizations and/or eat ice cream. SUN will have a table at this event and welcomes all neighbors to stop by.

Additional updates on late June events were provided: parenting seminar on June 26 and Bike to Work Day on June 27.

Discussion at the end of the meeting was about the previous month’s community vote on the organization name, Stapleton United Neighbors. SUN received feedback on this vote from residents who would have preferred additional modes of participating. In the remaining months of 2018, SUN will revisit voting procedures and announce any planned changes in procedures for any future bylaw vote.

SUN June board meeting Recap

The SUN board voted for officers: Amanda Allshouse (President), Geoff Horsfall (Vice President), Bryan Penny (Treasurer) and Mark Mehringer (Secretary). Committee participation was discussed, with residents and board members enthusiastically volunteering for the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. A more structured approach is planned for communication and community outreach, and board members from across all neighborhoods in Stapleton will now be liaisons for block captains in each neighborhood. These committees, as well as sustainability, education, safety, transportation, and parks and greenspace will present an action plan for the coming year at the August SUN board meeting. There will not be a third Tuesday SUN Outreach/Board meeting in July. Committees will be working throughout the month on what will be presented at the August monthly meeting. Residents interested in future involvement are encouraged to attend (August 21, 7:30pm, Central Park Rec Center Multipurpose room).

Sustainability Committee Upcoming Events

Monthly Sustainability Meeting and Happy Hour: Tuesday July 10, 6:30pm. La Sandia – Northfield (8340 Northfield Blvd). All neighbors concerned about sustainability are invited to join together to help plan events in the community as part of the City of Denver’s Sustainable Neighborhoods Program: Stapleton. For more information, email : sunsustainability@gmail.com.

Open Space Clean Up, Saturday August 11: SUN is working with Sand Creek Greenway for an open space clean up during Denver Days. Additional support will be provided by Runners Roost and Cheluna Brewing Co. for a volunteer day at the Smith Road Trailhead (10450 Smith Rd) followed by a benefit for Sand Creek Regional Greenway at Cheluna Brewing. Volunteers will meet at the Smith Road Trailhead of Sand Creek Greenway at 10am. Projects for the day may include trail repair, invasive species removal, planting native species, cleaning out flood refuse and trash, painting over graffiti. At noon volunteers will celebrate having completed hard work by visiting Cheluna Brewing in Stanley Marketplace. Eligible participants need to be age 5 or older, wear closed-toe shoes, and bring a water bottle. Volunteers will be given water and snacks, as well as all tools and work gloves. The Smith Road Trailhead can be reached by car .6 miles west on Smith Rd. from Havana St., or on foot or bicycle via trails north of the Westerly Creek and Sand Creek confluence.

New Plaque at Eastbridge Town Center Honoring Marlon Green

Around the time of what would have been Marlon Green’s 89th birthday in June, a commemorative plaque was installed with the two existing photo panels: “Breaking the Color Barrier Denver resident Marlon D. Green was the first African-American pilot hired by a major U.S. airline (Denver-based Continental Airlines, 1964). Pictured left with parents Lucy and McKinley at Stapleton Airport, and right with co-pilot Ken Brown.” SUN sends much gratitude to Evergreen Development for making such a meaningful contribution to the community with this space in the Eastbridge Town Center. The plaque and panels are visible on the north side of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd between Havana St. and Geneva Ct. from the King Soopers parking lot.