In cooperation with other City agencies, DPR has taken several proactive measures to prevent many of the intrusions that occurred over the July 4 holiday in Washington Park.

Denver Parks and Recreation has contracted with the Denver Police Department to provide off-duty officers to patrol Washington Park. The officers have been in the park when visitation is at its peak. Denver Park Rangers’ hours at Washington Park have also been extended to provide additional coverage. The Park Rangers have increased their contacts with commercial groups and have been trained to be more proactive in working with these groups to communicate what are allowable and non-allowable activities.

DPR has added more portable restrooms to the park in more locations and will temporarily add even more portable restrooms for Labor Day weekend. Also, DPR has enlisted additional help from Denver Public Works for parking enforcement around the park.

Event permits for Labor Day weekend were issued only to outside groups who had already had permits in place more than 30 days in advance. The Washington Park Boathouse is hosting two wedding receptions, one on Sat., Sept. 1, and one on Sun., Sept. 2. On Monday, Sept. 3, the Park to Park 10-Mile Run starts at 7:30a.m. in City Park and goes through Washington Park before concluding at All- City Stadium. Those are the only permitted events scheduled for the park over the weekend. At this time, no picnic permits have been issued for the park, but DPR may issue picnic permits for small groups if requested.

We are very serious about providing a safe and enjoyable atmosphere at beautiful Washington Park for visitors and neighbors. We are also very serious about enforcing Denver’s park rules and regulations. Since July 4, the increased vigilance at Washington Park has led to more than 25 issued citations for alcohol, glass bottles, loose dogs, narcotics and parking, as well as 10 evictions of kegs, 10 written warnings for violations and too many verbal warnings to count.

All of this comes at a cost, and our department is already operating on an extremely tight budget. We are able to cover these temporary services from a limited 2012 contingency fund. In the short-term, this level of service addresses the high level of activity we have experienced in Washington Park on extra-busy weekends. A review of the long-term strategies to address these matters will take place over the fall and winter season and through the budgeting process for 2013.

As always, we welcome your feedback and observations. Best wishes for a happy and peaceful Labor Day weekend.