Inspiration Point Park Clean-Up Activity – Denver Days!

On Saturday, April 27, 2019, members of the Denver, Front Range and Arvada Stakes–joined by ten full-time missionaries–participated in a special Denver Days kick-off event at Inspiration Point Park. 

Based on Mayor Michael Hancock’s vision of “a city where neighbors not only [know] their neighbors but as a result [feel] safer and more connected to the communities they call home,” The city created Denver Days, “a program….that encourages neighbors to get to know their neighbors by hosting block parties, picnics, and service projects with the focus on small, organic gatherings.”

(See https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-days.html)

Organized by Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Office of Neighborhood Engagement, with further sponsorship support from Comcast Cable, Saturday’s event at Inspiration Point Park commenced with opening remarks from various City officials, including Mayor Hancock, as well as remarks from former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. 

Following a special tree planting, the scores of volunteers then divided into a number of groups to complete projects such as planting trees, spreading mulch, painting park features and picking up trash. 

At the conclusion of clean-up activities, volunteers enjoyed a lunch provided by sponsors of the event.

During their time at the event, Mayor Hancock and Secretary Salazar took time to visit with volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and take a group photo.  During this exchange, Mayor Hancock referred to his recent (December 2018) visit to Temple Square, in Salt Lake City. 

At the same time, Church volunteers took time to thank the Mayor and the Secretary for their service, as well as to thank the many park officials and fellow community volunteers who made possible this Denver Days Kick-off event. 

Following the activity, President Jared Scott, a counselor in the Denver Stake Presidency who attended with his family, said “The Church is so grateful for its strong relationship with the City of Denver, and for opportunities like this neighborhood park clean-up event which allow us to work side-by-side in the improvement and preservation of our great community.

We are also especially grateful to Mayor Hancock, Secretary Salazar and other city and community officials who took the time to visit with our volunteers during the day–making the time at the park all the more meaningful for each of us.”