Near Southeast Area Plan Kicking Off Soon

Near Southeast Plan Logo

by Scott Robinson, Senior City Planner , City and County of Denver

Cook Park residents will soon have the opportunity to help create a community vision for their neighborhood, as part of the Near Southeast Area Plan. Launching this summer, the planning process will bring neighbors, local business owners and advocates together to identify ideas, address concerns and establish priorities that will help guide city decision-making over the next two decades. The project is part of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative and will engage the community over the next two years, resulting in a long-term plan addresses citywide goals and priorities in a way that fits with local needs. 

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How to Contact the City or Report an Issue

by Sheila Knight-Fields

Have you ever wondered how best to reach out to the city to ask a question or report an issue?
There are two ways to get help:

  1. Call 311
  2. Go to denvergov.org/pocketgov

Why should you contact 311 or go to pocketgov?
“The squeaky wheel gets the grease” is true. In the city, activities in agencies are often driven by volume. The more issues are reported, the more likely they are to get attention. In addition, if you don’t report an issue, how will city agencies know there is a problem? Because of this, it is imperative that you report the problems you encounter in our neighborhood; this is how we will drive change and improve our community!

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Tips and Tricks for Pruning Your Trees

by Paul Cancik, Urban Forestry Operations Assistant

Paul Cancik, Urban Forestry Operations Assistant

With spring upon us, many residents are eagerly planning their gardens and starting to spruce up their yards. Pruning helps trees live longer, which allows them to grow taller and contribute to Denver’s urban canopy. With this in mind, Denver’s Office of the City Forester is offering helpful tips for pruning. It’s important to keep in mind that if you cannot safely prune your tree from the ground, it’s best to hire a licensed tree care professional since they use specialized equipment and have the necessary field knowledge. When you prune a tree, you are planning for the future, and with patience, you will ultimately have results that benefit generations to come.

Why should you prune your trees? 

  • Pruning helps ensure that your tree develops a strong form/structure and prevents breakage in the future.
  • Thinning your tree makes the crown (top) healthier by allowing more air and sunlight to pass through it.
  • Pruning, much like watering, helps give your tree longevity; future generations will be able to enjoy it.
  • Removing deadwood from your tree helps prevent insect infestation.
  • If pruning is neglected, a tree can become susceptible to breakage, making the tree potentially dangerous.
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Looking Back . . . Original homeowners in Cook Park Share Memories

By Danielle Corriveau

The house at the corner of Mexico and Oneida has a pristine lawn, gracious tiny library, and an inviting winding cement walk leading to the front porch. This home shows well for the neighborhood. It should. It was the show-home for the neighborhood when it was first built.

Owners Charlie and Jan Killick know this home well. Jan’s parents were its first owners. Jan, as the oldest of seven, often visited the house, but didn’t grow up there. Her brother Tom Paprocki, the second youngest of the clan, did. The family moved in 1969 from Park Hill to Cook Park.

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