Denver Playcast: A Parks, Recreation & Trail Mix

A very special episode of Denver Playcast! Are there really bodies buried at Cheesman Park? Haunted recreation centers? Stephanie sits down with Stacie West and Seth Howsden to deliver some tricks (dad jokes) and treats (fun facts) about our park system, just in time for Halloween. RMPBS: Hidden History of Cheesman Park- https://www.rmpbs.org/shows/colorado-experience/episodes/hidden-history-of-cheesman-park-gujhq3

In this episode, learn how Denver Parks & Recreation is making Civic Center Park fully accessible for the first time in its history, and hear from Barry Rosenberg, a Denver disability rights advocate who was present at the Gang of 19 protest in 1978.

 Denver Parks and Recreation is building the neighborhood's very first recreation center, and this isn't just another construction project. It's an opportunity to create a space designed by and for the community. Episode links: Westwood Project page: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Parks-Recreation/Planning-Design-Construction-Community-Engagement/Park-Facility-Projects/Westwood-Recreation-CenterRec Plan Survey: https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Parks-Recreation/Planning-Design-Construction-Community-Engagement/Park-Facility-Projects/Recreation-Center-Strategic-Plan?fbclid=IwY2xjawSEGu9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFBSEFYUGJORWlsUHVaVzk1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt-p0i8Nk-spCHUHBm3TJ-AbkHiWPxXq-67c9l_rv0p22FPld_oAy7XFWzdw_aem_IjZjcIoYnGV_Siog011AyQ

Denver Parks & Recreation has officially launched a transformation to a more sustainable and resilient future at the Denver City and County building. Follow us on social media @denverparksrec and sign up for our monthly newsletter here.

Meet John Martinez, DPR Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation. John has (literally) grown up with the department and is now leading a team of around 1,800 staff. With 30 recreation centers, 32 pools, 8 golf courses, and even more ways to play, Denver Recreation keeps the city moving. In this episode, John shares his insights on how Denver recreates, and what make our programs so unique. DenverGov.org/Recreation

Denver Parks and Recreation and Denver Mountain Parks, have worked closely with surrounding indigenous communities on projects and initiatives to not only honor those who have stewarded this land for generations, but to hopefully begin to repair and rebuild relationships between government, andindigenous Peoples.Host Stephanie Figueroa had two separate conversations for this episode, with three very important voices in these efforts. She first sat down with former deputy Director Scott Gilmore, who is no longer with DPR, but has and continues to shepherd these efforts , and Lewis Tallbull jr, a member of the Cheyanneand Arapahoe tribes of Oklahoma and utility worker for Denver mountain parks forestry division. Stephanie also spoke with Shannon Dennison, Director of Denver Mountain Parks. Shannon was able to listen to Lewis andScott’s interview, and throughout this episode, you’ll hear excerpts from both discussions.

Denver Parks & Recreation is working hard to identify the most underutilized bluegrass lawns and transforming them back into drought tolerant and resilient native prairies that support pollinators, birds, and community health! In this episode, Stephanie is joined by Denver Water and DPR's Urban Ecology Planner to talk about the benefits of reintroducing native grasses to our city.

In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Denver’s new City Forester, Luke Killoran, to talk about our unique urban canopy. And that pesky little bug that finally made its way into Denver, the Emerald Ash Borer.

From rule enforcement to fire prevention—and yes, sometimes reminding you to leash your pup—Denver Park Rangers do it all. But who are the folks in brown and green? Stephanie finds herself in some ranger danger (not really) with Jodie Marozas, DPR Park Ranger Training Manager.

A once-in-a-lifetime park is coming to Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood. Jolon Clark from Denver Parks & Recreation and Anna Cawrse from Sasaki join Stephanie to discuss what it’ll take to convert this former 155-acre golf course into Denver’s newest regional park in over 100 years.ParkHillPark.org