TYRONE PANKY HAD HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIMSELF last month at 14th & St. Paul, but probably loved (most) every minute of it, judging by the potential of the surrounding plots. One could almost sense the impatience of gardeners in Greater Capitol Hill last month as they awaited the official ‘frost-free’ date, although the wary and experienced know better than to trust the ‘experts’.

PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH
 

■ Public meeting discusses Phase II of Master Development Plan, which could begin this fall

BY RORY SEEBER

    On April 26 Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG), 1005 York, began the public process involved with Phase II of its Master Development Plan with a neighborhood meeting attended by approximately 30 residents.
    “In a few months we hope to be building, but right now we’re still visionaries,” said DBG CEO Brian Vogt at the beginning of the meeting. “We are very intent on getting your best thinking today about how we can make the very best situation for the community.”
    Phase II will include the proposed construction of a 390-space parking structure on the site of the current parking lot between York & Josephine, just east of the main entrance at approximately 10th Ave., and a pedestrian bridge to connect it to a new main entrance.
    The Master Development Plan was unanimously approved by the DBG board last year. Phase I, to begin this autumn, will use approximately $18.6 million in bond funds approved by voters in November to build a new, publicly accessible greenhouse complex on the north side of the grounds.

■ 3rd annual Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon will begin & end in City Park May 18

BY VANESSA MARTIN

    Runners of all ages and abilities can look forward to enjoying a new course for the 3rd annual Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon on Sunday, May 18.
    After listening to previous runners’ feedback, race organizers have worked with a runners advisory group to redesign a course that now starts and finishes in City Park.
    This will allow competitors to park at the Denver Zoo or the Denver Museum of Nature & Science before they set off on the full 26.2 mile marathon, the half-marathon, or participate on a five-member relay team or wheelchair race.
    Depending on which event a participant chooses, the course will wind through Aurora, Denver and Lakewood. Additionally, the full marathon is now USATF-certified and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
    This year’s route has also eliminated hard hills and net elevation gain, and will provide more shade, greater neighborhood diversity... and more porta-potties.
    In 2007, a little less than 5,000 runners participated in the marathon and this year race organizers expect up to 6,000 entrants.

 

■ ‘Spiritous liquors’ considered; City Park & Cheesman pavilions could be added to permit sites

BY RORY SEEBER

    The Parks & Recreation Department is considering changes to the alcohol policy for the city’s parks. The proposed amendments would add spiritous liquors to the allowed beverages and increase the number of parks which will allow alcohol.
    A public hearing to weigh the proposed amendments is scheduled for May 8, 6-8 pm at the La Alma Recreation Center, 1325 W. 11th at Mariposa (south of Lincoln Park).
    The proposed changes:
    • Adding Cheesman Park Pavilion to the Special Occasion permit site list
    • Adding City Park Pavilion to the Event Facility permit site list
    • Adding Stapleton’s Central Park to the Special Occasion, Festival, & Race/Walk permit site lists
    • Changing the language under “Conditions for Event Facility Permits” to allow the serving of spiritous liquor in addition to the beer, wine & champagne that is currently permitted