Jefferson Park United Neighbors

June 1st Clean Up and Unification Festival a big success!

Jul 11, 2002

Jefferson Park is 30,000 pounds of trash lighter after our recent clean-up and festival!

On June 1st, 2002 Jefferson Park United Neighbors held their first annual Neighborhood Clean-up and Community Unification Festival. In April 2001, JPUN held a clean-up followed by a small picnic in the park. The picnic component was so successful last year, we wanted to expand our efforts and create a venue for even more neighbors to socialize and perhaps discuss issues that are affecting our neighborhood. With this in mind, JPUN worked at attaining funding to make the even larger.

With two generous grants, many sponsors, and integration with community agencies, the June 1st festival was organized. The financial assistance from the Department of Local Affairs and from the City of Denver?’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, made it possible to provide kids?’ activities, balloons, rent tents and booths, and promote the event. Councilwoman Debbie Ortega sponsored the park permit and even was able to wrangle the Parks and Recreation ?“Show Wagon,?” allowing us to have a proper stage to house our musical guests. Riverside Baptist Church was of special assistance with storing and donating food and supplies, and providing an overwhelming amount of volunteers who cleaned and cooked throughout the day.

Volunteers from the neighborhood met at the park in the morning, grabbed some bagels and coffee - and of course, a rake, gloves, and some trash bags. Ken Orlin from Keep Denver Beautiful gave out orders, and troops of volunteers went to their assigned area to rake, bag, and almost magically transformed 20 focus blocks of our neighborhood.

At noon, the band Los Guys kicked-off the festivities with an eclectic music set enjoyed by fans of all ages. Folks gathered near the grill to replenish their hard-worked
bodies with burgers and dogs - as well as ?“Fresh Fries?” popular crispy potato slices. A prize drawing was held, and residents won items from Denver?’s Channel 8, Jack-n-Grill, Einstein?’s Bagels, and Mauri Guemes Silverworks. Two pinatas were smashed to pieces near the stage, and kids got their faces painted while volunteers inflated colorful balloons, illuminating the ends of ribbon. Promoting Denver?’s curbside recycling program, Denver Recycles?’ mascot Marv the Milkjug entertained children, as adults lined up for the free massage provided by Heritage Massage School.

Keeping the audience informed, Augustin Dionico emceed the event, providing translation services for festival attendees in both English and Spanish.

An estimated 250 people attended the festival.

We would like to thank our sponsors, participants, and volunteers for helping make our event a success. We hope that the clean-up and festival can be an annual event for Jefferson Park. However, next year, plans are not to hold it on the same day as The People?’s Fair!