News Release - Civic Center Park Public Health Order Lifted

[Karvaski, Cynthia A. - DPR Marketing Commun Splst]

 

City and County of Denver   Cyndi Karvaski Parks & Recreation c: 303.819.0111 Cyndi.K...@denvergov.org   Emily Williams Denver Public Health & Environment o: 720-865-5400 c: 720-415-1110 Emily.W...@denvergov.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Civic Center Park Public Health Order Lifted   Areas of the park will remain temporarily closed as restoration work continues     DENVER, Nov. 2, 2021 – The City and County of Denver today announced that parts of Civic Center Park will be reopened after the successful remediation of significant public health and environmental health risks. The Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) will lift the public health order which was issued for the park and adjacent areas in September.      Limited sections of Civic Center Park will begin opening on Wednesday, Nov. 3. Pioneer Fountain at the corner of Broadway and Colfax, MacIntosh Park Plaza at 15th Ave. and Cleveland St., and other areas within Civic Center Park will remain closed for ongoing restoration by Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR). A phased reopening of the remaining sections of the park will occur as DPR completes turf restoration, hardscape and stone repair.    Officials from DDPHE have completed a thorough inspection of the park and have ensured all public health hazards have been abated and the park is now safe for all park guests. During the park closure, several unhealthy hazards were addressed including the removal of significant amounts of food waste and litter, abatement of rodent burrows and human and pet waste, and the extensive cleanup of improperly discarded needles and other drug paraphernalia throughout the park.     During the public health order closure, DPR cleaned and remediated park grounds and work continues to restore, rehabilitate and revitalize areas of the park that were significantly damaged. All turf areas have been reseeded, aeriated and fertilized and irrigation has been repaired. Dead or dying trees were removed, and 19 additional new trees were planted. DPR is coordinating additional surveillance camera coverage and working closely with Xcel Energy to complete lighting upgrades throughout the park. Additional resources and staffing will be employed to ensure a sustainable operational plan. Repair and restoration work to the turf, hardscape and historic stone structures will continue in areas that remain closed.      All Denver Park Rules and Regulations remain in effect including curfew between the hours of 11 p.m. - 5 a.m. when Denver urban parks are closed. Entry into a park, recreational facility or parkway median during curfew is not allowed during this time.     Any and all types of donations left in the park are discouraged as most ends up as discarded trash attracting rodents. Please contact Denver Human Services for questions regarding donations at: GI...@denvergov.org or 720-944-GIVE (4483).                Denver Parks & Recreation As stewards of a legacy park system, Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) is dedicated to customer service and enhancing the health of residents and the environment through innovative programs and safe, beautiful and sustainable places. The DPR system includes 30 recreation centers and nearly 20,000 acres of urban and mountain parkland including off-street trails, parkways and natural areas. For more information, visit www.denvergov.org/parksandrecreation, check us out on YouTube, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @denverparksrec   Denver Department of Public Health & Environment The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), Denver’s nationally accredited public health agency, empowers Denver’s communities to live better, longer. The divisions of DDPHE are: Administration, Animal Protection, Community & Behavioral Health, Environmental Quality,  Office of the Medical Examiner, and Public Health Investigations. In partnership with Denver Public Health, DDPHE provides quality public health services to the City and County of Denver. For more information about DDPHE, visit www.denvergov.org/dpheor follow us on Twitter @DDPHE. ###