The Denver Recreation Center Task Force spent six months assessing the city’s recreation programs and facilities, and has suggested creation of a four-tier system of recreation center properties: Regional Centers (full-service facility with indoor aquatics, full fitness area, gym, etc.) open seven days a week; Local Centers (medium -sized, with or without aquatics) open five to six days each week; Neighborhood Centers (focus on youth programs) open five days a week; and the least defined of the categories, Community Centers.

Under the latter category, Denver would continue to own and maintain the facilities, but would contract with outside “community partners” to deliver programs and staffing. It is the city’s intention to “promote community ‘ownership’ of facilities, while the City continues to be an active partner.”  

Dody Erickson, acting Deputy Manager of Recreation & Facilities Services, told The Profile that plans call for the Harvard Gulch and Washington Park centers to absorb the programs currently offered at Platt Park, with Harvard Gulch handling the bulk of the shift. It is not immediately clear how such offerings as cooking classes and the popular weekly dances would be accommodated at the new site.

Erickson also stated that Parks and Recreation “does not anticipate any layoffs” as a result of the reorganization. “We’ll be increasing the hours at a number of facilities, and will need to increase staffing accordingly.”    Also part of the Task Force recommendations is an increase in recreation fees for Adults, Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities. “Fees will be based according to the amenities offered at the centers,” said Erickson.

It is expected that Regional Centers will charge more than the Local Centers, with the Neighborhood Centers at the bottom of the fee structure. Children will pay between $3 and $5 per year.    Following is the proposed reorganization of Recreation Center assets:  

Regional Centers  

• Athmar Recreation Center, 2680 W. Mexico Ave.  
• Montbello Recreation Center, 15555 E. 53rd. Ave.  
• Rude Recreation Center, 2855 W. Holden Pl.  
• Scheitler Recreation Center, 5031 W. 46th Ave.  
• Washington Park Recreation Center, 701 S. Franklin St.  
• Montclair Recreation Center, 729 Ulster Way  
• Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center, 3334 Holly St. (‘til new Stapleton facility opens)  
• Stapleton Recreation Center, 5090 Broadway  
• Swansea Recreation Center, 2650 E. 49th Ave. (indoor pool and updated amenities planned)  

Local Centers   

•  Ashland Indoor Pool facility, 2475 W. Dunkeld Pl.
• 20th St. Gym, 1011 20th St.  
• Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 Cherry Creek
• Dr. No.  Eisenhower Recreation Center, 4300 E. Dartmouth Ave.  
• Glenarm Recreation Center, 2800 Glenarm Pl.  Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center, 4890 Argonne Way  
• Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave.  
• Harvey Park Recreation Center, 2120 S. Tennyson St.  
• Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center, 3334 Holly St. (after Stapleton facility opens)  
• Central Denver Recreation Center (location, amenities and opening date uncertain)  

Neighborhood Centers  

• Ashland Recreation Center, 2475 W. Dunkeld Pl.  
• Aztlan Recreation Center, 4435 Navajo St.
• Barnum Recreation Center, 360 Hooker St.  
• Stapleton Recreation Center, 5090 Broadway  
• La Alma Recreation Center, 1325 W. 11th Ave.  
• La Familia Recreation Center, 65 S. Elati St.  
• Southwest Recreation Center, 9200 W. Saratoga Pl.  
• ML King Recreation Center, 3880 Newport St. (until Stapleton facility opens)    

Community Centers  

• College View Recreation Center, 2525 S. Decatur St.  
• Highland Senior Recreation Center, 2880 Osceola St.  
• Johnson Recreation Center, 4809 Race St.  
• Platt Park Senior Recreation Center, 1500 S. Grant St.  
• St. Charles Recreation Center, 3777 Lafayette St.  
• Globeville Recreation Center, 4496 Grant St.  
• ML King Recreation Center, 3880 Newport St. (after Stapleton facility opens)    

A series of meetings are planned to take community input on the proposed reorganization. All meetings are scheduled from 7p.m. to 8:30p.m.    Feb. 3      

• Martin Luther King Recreation Center  Feb. 4      
• East High School (lunchroom)  Feb. 5      
• Swansea Recreation Center  Feb. 10    
• Harvard Gulch Recreation Center  Feb. 11    
• Barnum Recreation Center    

For more information, contact Jill McGranahan, 720-913-0633.