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Projects: Downtown Children's Playground |
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CONSTRUCTION PROGRESSES ON
DOWNTOWN CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND
By Paul and Carol Ann Rothman
After years of planning, starts and stops and ongoing fund raising, the long standing commitment of the Greenway Foundation and the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association to have a children’s playground build in Lodo has borne fruit. On December 12, 2006 a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the playground site at the corner of Speer Boulevard and Wewatta Street. Featured speakers were Councilwoman Judy Montero, Kim Bailey of Denver Parks and Recreation, Aimee Wesley of Great Outdoors Colorado, Jeff Shoemaker of the Greenway Foundation, and Carol Ann Rothman representing LoDoNA. Each speaker expressed pleasure that construction would soon begin and each thanked those who had helped to make it possible. Dean Pearson of the Architerra Group and Andy Dufford of Chevo Studios were singled out for their creative design work. All present acknowledged that without the $80,000 of support from over 135 residents and businesses in the LoDo community, the larger contributions which have made Phase One construction possible would not have been forthcoming. With major support from the Greenway Foundation, the Opus Foundation, the City and County of Denver, and a Great Outdoors Colorado grant, over $500,000 is now available for design and construction.
When Phase One opens to the public at the end of June, it will contain all of the playground equipment, colored concrete and rubberized surfacing, retaining walls and railings, landscaping, some furniture and an informal sand play area. Although Denver’s severe winter caused delays in the onset of construction, the site is now filled with workers, all making every effort to meet the Phase One completion date of June 30th.
Phase Two amenities will be added as soon as funding is in place. Included will be the formalized sand play area with shade canopy, twin shade structures and seating overlooking Cherry Creek, a water tower, water splash table, picnic structure, additional furniture and entry gates.
Needless to say, whatever each of us can do to help in financing Phase Two construction will move up its completion date. We are fortunate that in our efforts to secure financing for Phase Two, we have strong commitments of support from both the City and the Greenway Foundation.
As we think back over the many years of work and the financial support of so many that have made this playground possible, our thoughts turn back to the groundbreaking ceremony. As soon as the first shovel of sand had been turned, the youngest person in attendance, three year old Fuxian Hope, jumped into the sand and began to play. To see the joy in her face left little doubt in our minds that our efforts will surely bring much joy to our children and grandchildren and to theirs as well.
Questions? Call Paul or Carol Ann Rothman 303-298-0180 (parothman@yahoo.com; crothman@mac.com) Checks should be made payable to the Greenway Foundation/Playground Fund and mailed to Downtown Children’s Coalition, P. O. Box 695, Denver, CO 80201-0695. Contributions are tax deductible and those of $250 or more qualify for a 25% state income tax credit.
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