Seeking and Finding Answers - Denver City Council recreation center plans - Brief Article

Parks & Recreation, March, 2000 by Dean Tice

Recently I read where the City Council of Denver adopted a Comprehensive Plan 2000 that sets forth values and goals for the next decade. The city planners have done this every ten years. Each previous plan set values and goals for the city but this one is different in that it specifically focuses on quality of life for city kids and their families. Great! And I congratulate the city of Denver.

A couple of items in the plan deal with issues that I have been seeking answers to for years. The plan calls for new neighborhood schools to be constructed in a park-like setting. Dual use of school facilities is also suggested, i.e. for after school hours, the school would become a community resource center or recreation center. The plan further states that recreation centers should be open when children can use them. Obvious? Not so today, in many communities because of lack of funds recreation centers are not open for the entire weekend.

One of the single greatest capital expenditures for communities is the cost of school construction and maintenance. It certainly makes sense to me that economies to scale could be realized from dual use of school facilities. Prime targets would be athletic fields and gymnasiums. The logical partner to use the school facilities after the normal school day is the park and recreation agency. The toughest challenge, of course, is how to mix school district and municipal funds. From a practical view it isn't easy to determine what agency would budget for janitorial service, utilities and security. I am convinced that innovative "budgeteers" could solve accounting problem.

Looking for Successful Partnerships

I am aware that many P&R departments have worked out arrangements with boards of education for evening and weekend use of their community school. We would be interested in hearing from our members of successful partnerships with their local school systems.

Denver councilwoman Susan Barnes-Gelt said their 2000 Plan is where "bricks and sticks meet heart and soul". Again, we offer our congratulations and support to the City Council of Denver for their plan to make Denver more livable for children and families.