Join us at the Virginia Village Library on September 8th at 6:30pm for a debate between candidates Bob Lane (R) and Joe Mikloski (D) who are running for our districts’ State House of Representatives seat. The event is free and open to the public.
Would you like to volunteer your time and expertise to better our neighborhood? We are organizing a group of business owners and residents to discuss issues and solutions for the Cook Park area. TC Clark, owner of Milo’s Tavern is spearheading this group and is passionate about engaging our community for a common and powerful goal. His hope is to utilize both residents and merchants to pool valuable and experienced resources to better our neighborhood and create a collective voice. TC would like to hear your ideas and needs your support to formulate a starting point. If you have any interest or questions, please feel free to contact TC Clark at 303.691.3391 or email him at milostvrn@gmail.com
Courts available at Potenza Park
This ancient game, whose modern adaptation most closely resembles bowling, requires skill, strategy and just a little luck. Bocce is a great game to play outside on a beautiful day. For those of you that are Bocce enthusiasts did you know that you may reserve courts at Potenza Park, on the corner of Holly and Cherry Creek South Drive?
The early Romans were among the first to play a game resembling what we know as bocce today. They used coconuts brought back from Africa and later used hard olive wood to carve out bocce balls. Beginning with Emperor Augustus, bocce became the sport of statesman and rulers. From the early Greek physician Ipocrates to the great Italian Renaissance man Galileo, the early participants of bocce have noted that the game’s athleticism and spirit of competition rejuvenates the body.
And for those that would like to learn the sport here’s a beginners guide to the steps you take to play this ancient sport:
Step 1: Find a flat, level playing surface (packed dirt, gravel or grass are ideal). A regulation bocce court is 76 feet long and 10 feet wide.
Step 2: Divide players into two teams of one, two or four players each. Each team gets four balls, divided equally among the players.
Step 3: Have a player from the starting team stand behind the foul line (which is 10 feet from the throwing end of the court) and throw the small ball, or “pallina,” toward the opposite end of the playing surface.
Step 4: Let the player then throw one of the larger balls, or “boccia,” trying to get it as close to the pallina as possible without touching it.
Step 5: Have players from the opposing team take turns throwing their balls until one of the balls stops closer to the pallina than the starting player’s ball. If they fail to do so, the starting team tries to outdo its first attempt.
Step 6: Let the starting players take their second turn if the opposing team gets closer to the pallina than the starting team without using all of their balls.
Step 7: Continue in this fashion until all eight balls have been thrown. The team with the closest ball gets one point for each of its balls that are closer to the pallina than the other team’s closest ball.
Step 8: Keep in mind that if the two teams’ closest balls are an equal distance from the pallina, no points are awarded.
Step 9: End the frame after all eight balls have been thrown and appropriate points have been awarded. The scoring team begins the next frame. If no team previously scored, the team that threw the pallina last begins the next frame.
“The Dog Park Master Planning process identified the Cook Park area of the City as one area in need of dog park facilities. Though Cook Park was floated as a potential site to fulfill needs in this part of the City, there has been no final determination as to whether or not Cook Park is in fact the most appropriate location in this part of the City.
Top priorities recommended as a part of the master planning effort include upgrading Denver’s existing facilities before adding new facilities. We would like to continue conversations with your neighborhood organization in the future as needs are prioritized for future facilities.”
David Marquardt
Senior Planner, Denver Parks
Many of us use our neighborhood park for recreation and relaxation and want to maintain that value for our community. This newsletter’s purpose is to bring our neighbors current information that will affect the future of our park. In February, 2010 our monthly CPNA meeting brought many of our neighbors together to discuss changes that may be in our future. Following is a summary of that meeting:
The Department of Parks and Recreation proposed a Dog Park Master Plan which includes a dog park at Cook Park. The fenced in area for dogs would be placed in Northeast edge of the park, near the rugby field and parking lot. Over 40 residents showed up to protest the dog park. Councilman Charlie Brown wrote a letter opposing the dog park that was read at the meeting.
After the meeting, the Cook Park Neighborhood Association board voted to send a statement to the Director or Parks and Recreation formally stating our opposition to the dog park on the following grounds:
• Unknown environmental impact (water, air, soil)
• Site does not meet criteria defined by Parks and Rec. (including a clear separation from athletic fields; non-linear shape; trees or shade structures)
• Untrained or aggressive dogs will attack other dogs or people
• Dog urine and feces will inevitably be left behind killing vegetation and causing odor
• Dogs on the grass will tear up the fields, make them useless for sports
• Not enough Parks and Rec. staff to properly oversee the dog parks or the licensing of the dogs who visit
• Negative impact on wildlife in the park, especially native birds
• Cook Park is too small to house a dog park in addition to the multiple sports fields and playgrounds that it already has
Parks and Recreation has stated that public feedback will be taken into consideration in creating the final recommendations. A copy of the plan for Cook Park (as well as the plan for the entire city) is available on the Denver Parks and Recreation website: www.denvergov.org/parksandrec.
We need your opinions to be heard and greatly appreciate any feedback our neighborhood members can share about the future plans for our park. You can comment directly to Parks and Rec. by emailing: denverdog@denvergov.org.
If you send comments, please carbon copy the CPNA at:
association@cookparkneighborhood.com. The deadline for comments is March 15th.
Improvisation with Shakespeare
Nicola Kearns-Beattie graduate of the London School of Dramatic art offers a class in fast improve around Shakespeare’s plays. Last class a presentation of history, tragedy and comedy all in 30 minutes plus other stand-up silliness. The children should be able to read. Minimum 5. Maximum 10.
Age: 8-10 Fee: $15
Session Dates: 4/5/2010-5/3/2010
Days/Time: Mon, 4p-5:30p
Summer Camp 2010
Denver Parks and Recreation Summer Camp is a structured recreational day camp for youth that offers safe and engaging activities for children 6-12 years. The Cook Park camp is dedicated to providing children with meaningful and enjoyable opportunities from which to grow a life-long, positive self-image. The camp features an array of wonderful activities, special events and field trips to enrich each camper’s experience. The Cook Park staff is licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services and our staff follows all of the regulations and procedures mandated by the state. Cook Park camp is five days per week, for eight weeks.
Age: 6-12 years Fee: $915
Session Date: 6/7/2010-7/30/2010
Days/Times: Mon-Fri 9a-4p
Registration is Tuesday, 3/9/2010 at 6p
Love & Logic for Early Childhood Class
Description: Join thousands of Colorado parents who’ve learned easy & practical tips to end whining, arguing, power struggles and more! The 5 week Love & Logic Parenting Class gives you new strategies for bedtime, morning and an alternative to time-out. Shelly Moorman, facilitator of the class, has taught over 1000 parents in the past 5 years. More information can be found on the website: www.HeadandHeartParent.com
Experience what other parents have said: “It’s the most valuable tool you can have as a parent. It really works!”
Age: Parents of kids under 6
Fee: $125 single/$195 per couple
Session Date: 2/26/2010-3/26/2010
Days/Times: Friday, 6:30p-8:30p
Register: Cook Park or
www.HeadandHeartParent.com
Questions: Call Shelly at 303.941.6278
For the first time in more than 40 years, a new Denver Mountain Parks guide is available. The Adventurer’s Guidebook to Denver Mountain Parks provides information on key parks, indicates recreational opportunities — including road biking, backcountry hiking, scenic viewing and fishing—for each of them and includes a brief history of the Denver Mountain Park system. Guidebooks are available at the Denver Parks and Recreation office at 201 W. Colfax Avenue on the 6th floor, or at any Denver Rec Center. Please visit http://www.denvergov.org/ for a FREE PDF copy.