UHNA Community Meeting | March 13, 2025

Attendees: Ben Kohut, Arianna Morris, Kristin Arkin-Leydig, David Mindock, Mike, David & Janine, Cameron and Noelle, Jonathan, Sheryl, Gabby, Morgan Marco, Shazi and family, Molly Stawinoga

Ways folks found out about the meeting:

• NextDoor

• Looking up history of U Hills, found the UHNA website

Call to Order (Kristin) at 6:35, Ben seconded; Molly to take minutes

Approval of February Minutes (Kristin, Kathy)

Community Spotlights

• Ross-University Hills Branch Library Kristen Monroe, Branch Supervisor

  • Tyrone Short is the security officer; he also covers the exterior of the building. If folks live close to the library and notice suspicious activity around the building or folks sleeping in their vehicles, reach out to the library and let them know – the easiest way is to call the branch directly. 

  • The library is now open on Sundays from 10-5 p.m.

    • Eventually, they hope to have programs available on Sundays.

  • Free programs for children, teens, older adults (younger adults coming soon)

    • Saturdays: Children’s storytime

    • Artwork program for preschoolers

    • Hoping to start a gaming program for tweens

    • Dungeons and Dragons every Saturday

    • Book chat and donuts and dialogue for older adults

    • Monthly arts and crafts

    • Chair exercise program

    • Death cafe for folks who experience death

    • Garden program

    • Tech help by appointments – you can call to schedule

    • There is a staff member/social worker who comes every week in case you know of someone who needs resources (typically on Thursdays and Fridays)

    • Digital navigator on Mondays: help with more intense technology help 

      • Ex: getting in touch with internet providers, signing up for compost

  • The location is being renovated as part of the Elevate Denver bond

    • The branch will be closed for about a year in 2026/27; Eugene Field will also be closed around the same time. 

    • Ideally, the work will be finished in 2027.

    • Last renovated in 1994

    • A community survey is open for input

    • Rec Center to work with the library to see if they can continue programming/have book dropoff and pickup

  • English as a second language programs are available at Hampden and Virginia Village, not Ross-University Hills.

• Eisenhower Recreation Center Gabby Stock, Recreation Supervisor

  • Gabby oversees everything in the building (staff, programs, etc)

  • Offerings: youth programs/sports, senior programs, classes, etc

  • Facility: Fitness room (a lot of classes), gymnasium with basketball courts and pickleball, weight room and cardio room, closed on Sundays

  • Denver youth are eligible for My Denver cards for 5-18 year-olds; only have to be Denver Residents or DPS students

  • Denver Prime free membership for seniors; have to prove residency

  • They are hoping to center their activities more around the needs of the communities, especially for younger adults.

    • They will be a part of the food truck events again this year. Will bring out the rock wall again at least once. Will set up a disc golf course as well.

    • Gabby thinks the rangers could come to Food Truck Fridays and do some fun activities/presentations. They’re also helping with canal cleanup. 

  • Events – typically little to no cost:

    • Two family pool parties in the summer

    • Donuts with the Grinch in December

      • Gabby wants to do a storytime at the event with the library

    • Pup-or-treat (Halloween event) – not restricted to dogs

  • Questions? Ask in person or call!

April 19 Egg Hunt 10 AM to Noon at Bradley Elementary

Other UHNA events: 

• Food truck Fridays starting June 6; typically with music and hosted every other week with food trucks.

  • Kathy was put in touch with an 18-piece jazz band!

    • Rates are about $250 per hour.

    • This could be a lot for a food truck night, and we don’t have the right permit. Maybe we could plan a separate day for them to play in the park?

    • We can take a look and see what we can do to make it happen. Gabby has a contact who can help with permits.

    • Gabby, Kathy, and Kristin to talk about it.

    • Mike (previous president) used to do an annual summer picnic during Denver days (first week of August): they typically have easier permitting processes.

• September 6 - Movie night under the stars

• Santa at the Wellshire: typically the weekend after Thanksgiving

Treasurer's Report  (Linda Dailey)

• $890.70

• We are funded through donations and sponsorships

Community Updates:

• The Vibrant Denver Bond program empowers communities to take an active role in shaping and preparing Denver for the future. General obligation (GO) bond programs are used to fund new public parks, recreation centers, libraries, arts and cultural venues, roads, bridges, police stations, and other public facilities. They are also used to repair and improve existing facilities without raising taxes. Arianna will represent UHNA at an upcoming March 18th meeting to share your priorities for the bonds. Submit bond project ideas to the below survey. THE VIBRANT DENVER GO BOND SURVEY: https://tinyurl.com/VibrantDenverBondSurvey

• S. Dahlia Bridge Replacement (Late May/June 2025, anticipated duration 4 months) South Dahlia will be closed to vehicle traffic and the Highline Canal Trail will be detoured. The project web page is now available at this shortcut link: direc.to/mPsN

  • The bridge was built in the 1950s and needs to be replaced

  • Kristin is clarifying where the detour will be; she also invited them to come to the June 12 meeting. They also said they will keep the link updated.

    • They have a community outreach requirement.

  • DPS is looped in, and Kristin is working on looping in the churches.

  • They are not putting in a traffic light, but they are widening sidewalks.

• Community Advisory Board Opportunity: The Denver City Council is looking for community leaders to fill five openings on the newly established Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) Community Advisory Board! This board will play a vital role in shaping community driven solutions for public safety, violence prevention, crisis response, and job readiness programs. Apply before April 13 by online portal.

• Denver Parks & Recreation is excited for your feedback on the final design of Bethesda Park, the new 2-acre park on the former Groundcovers Greenhouse property. Your responses will remain anonymous. Estimated time to complete: 10 minutes and includes a link to volunteer for the public artwork selection committee. Survey Link: https://rb.gy/95fotn Closes Friday, March 14, 2025

• Compost is a service available to all Denver trash customers. Customers who missed a first opportunity to sign up for compost service can do so at any time at www.denvergov.org/utilitiesonline or by calling 311.

  • You can also request a second recycling bin.

  • The stickers on the compost cans are incorrect: you CANNOT compost paper. It is just food scraps and yard waste.

• Spring Market: Saturday, April 12, 10 AM to 1 PM, 2999 S Colorado Blvd

• New location! University Hills Farmers Market Saturdays, May 12 to October 25, 9 AM to 1 PM, Wellshire Presbyterian Church (2999 S Colorado Blvd)