City of Aurora’s Post

In observance of Juneteenth, some city of Aurora locations will be closed or have adjusted hours Wednesday, June 19, 2024. • All municipal offices and courts, closed • All libraries, closed. Aurora Public Library no longer charges late fees on overdue items; no holds expire on closed days. • Aurora Animal Shelter, closed. For urgent animal-related matters that cannot wait until the next business day, call 303.627.3100. • Aurora Center for Active Adults, open • Aurora History Museum, closed • Aurora Reservoir, open • Beck Recreation Center and Indoor Pool, open • Bicentennial Art Center, closed • Central Recreation Center, open • Expo Community Center and eSports Lounge, open • Golf courses, open (weather permitting) • Moorhead Recreation Center, open • Morrison Nature Center, closed • Plains Conservation Center, closed • Pools (outdoor) and Spraygrounds: Outdoor pools (Aqua Vista, Del Mar Aquatic Center, Meadow Hills, Parklane, Pheasant Run and Village Green) as well as spraygrounds (Great Plains Park and Red-tailed Hawk Park) open for the summer season. Pools have various schedules; visit AuroraGov.org/Pools for full details. • Preschool Classes, closed • Quincy Reservoir, open • Senac Creek Nature Center, closed • Southeast Recreation Center and Fieldhouse, open • Utah Indoor Pool, open Notes: On city holidays, payment for parking at on-street parking meters and commuter pay permit zones is not required. All other posted regulatory parking restrictions remain in effect and are enforced. Not affected by the holiday closures are the Detention Center, Police, Fire Rescue and Aurora911 operations. ALT TEXT: Three flags in front of the Aurora Municipal Center.

I am still waiting for him to underfund the most important department in NYC- The Public School Educational System. The educational budget of public schools in NYC can have detrimental effects on the quality of education and the overall well-being of students. Here are five reasons why it is a bad idea: 1. Decreased Resources: Cutting the educational budget would mean a reduction in resources available to schools, such as textbooks, technology, and learning materials. This can hinder students' access to essential tools for effective learning and limit their educational opportunities. 2. Staffing Cuts: Budget cuts may lead to a reduction in the number of teachers, support staff, and counselors. Larger class sizes and fewer support services can diminish the individual attention and support that students need to succeed academically and emotionally. 3. Limited Extracurricular Activities: Educational budget cuts often result in the elimination or reduction of extracurricular activities such as sports, music, art, and clubs. These activities play a crucial role in fostering students' creativity, physical well-being, teamwork, and personal development. Cutting them can negatively impact students' overall educational experience. 4. Achievement Gap Widening: Budget cuts tend to affect schools in lower-income areas disproportionately. By reducing resources and support for these schools, the achievement gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds can widen. This exacerbates educational inequities and limits opportunities for marginalized students to succeed. 5. Long-Term Economic Impact: Investing in education is vital for the future economic prosperity of a city. By cutting the educational budget, we risk compromising the quality of education provided to students. This can lead to a less educated workforce, reduced job opportunities, and a decline in economic growth for the city in the long run. It is crucial to prioritize and invest in education to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success in their future endeavors. Cutting the educational budget of public schools in NYC would have far-reaching negative consequences for students, communities, and the city as a whole.

Let’s face it: state parks deserve more. Although many Californians love the state’s parks, they are not aware that many of these places are state parks. With a looming budget deficit that may cut off access programs and much-needed funding, this lack of awareness can lead to missed opportunities for all Californians to enjoy the parks and a shortage of financial support and vital stewardship state parks need to thrive. Read John McKinney’s Los Angeles Times op-ed, “Californians love the state’s parks. We just don’t know they’re state parks,” here: https://ow.ly/NJo050RHkgo.

Takeaways from Seattle Schools CPTED The North 24th Street Business Improvement District’s Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program strategically uses the CPTED principles of maintenance, natural surveillance, access control, and territoriality to prevent crime and facilitate community. The Litter Control and Beautification initiative plays a pivotal role in this. In a 2023 published study, researchers from Texas A&M and the University of Washington measured the relationship between CPTED principles and crime around low-income, racially diverse schools in Seattle, Washington. This study gauged the effectiveness of CPTED principles at the block level, seeking to understand ways schools can reduce crime and increase walkability for students. Two important environmental conditions – cleanliness of streets and visual quality of buildings – consistently showed a negative relationship with violent crimes and property crimes around these schools. The significance of area maintenance is nothing new – evidence for its crime reduction impact has accumulated under CPTED, the broken window theory, and cues to care. The North 24th Street BID applies area maintenance in our Litter Control and Beautification initiative. The BID works collaboratively to create a clean and safe environment for residents and businesses through regular groundskeeping, community cleanups, and community outreach. Residents and businesses can contribute by maintaining their property, picking up adjacent trash, and volunteering for community cleanups. The last 2024 BID Community Cleanup is on September 14th from 9 AM to 11 AM at the Global Leadership Group Gardens: 3118 North 24th Street. Article: https://lnkd.in/graj9ebr #CPTED #crimepreventionthroughenvironmentaldesign #north24thstreetCPTED #designoutcrime #north24thstreet #north24thstreetBID #businessimprovementdistrict #brokenwindowtheory #cuestocare #cleanup

#TheTrail - In The Baltimore Sun, Delegate Malcolm P. Ruff, Esq. and Michael Cross-Barnet write, “State parks are more than just beautiful places; they provide recreational, economic and cultural benefits to their host communities. Baltimore City is one of just two jurisdictions in Maryland without the advantages of a state park. But we can change this, elevating both the city and the region, thanks to a special opportunity under Maryland law. Our legislation, House Bill 1358, establishes an innovative state-city partnership for the support and management of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Baltimore’s largest park. With its mature forest, diverse wildlife, scenic trails and historic structures covering more than 1,000 acres, Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park is one of the largest urban forest parks on the East Coast. It should be the envy of other Mid-Atlantic cities. Instead, the park has an unsavory reputation, and most city residents avoid it. It’s well past time for Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park to fulfill its potential as the pride of West Baltimore and a true regional destination. Baltimore has many fine parks, but GFLP is unique. With its large size, diverse topography and proximity to several nearby counties, it already resembles a state park in many ways, making it ideally situated for transformative investment.” #MyWestSide #parksandrecreation https://lnkd.in/gMRa79AW

It's spring & that means it's time for "spring clean-ups". As discussed in this article from @StrongTowns, neighborhood clean-ups strengthen community & perform a useful service at the same time. Learn what goes into a successful clean-up event here: https://zurl.co/vJeH

Glow Parks Part 2: Igniting a Community Renaissance A flicker of awareness is sparking in Texas, where the lone glow park has ignited more than just its luminous features—it's caused a ripple of interest and movement. Conversations are underway, connections are being made, and the seeds of transformation are being planted. The glow park concept is beginning to take root, but the time has come for these vibrant, free spaces to become an integral part of every community's strategy for revitalization. In a time when families are desperately seeking affordable ways to enjoy their evenings, glow parks offer a solution that makes economic sense. The typical night out is a costly endeavor, burdening families who cannot afford to spend money every night. The glow park changes this dynamic by providing a cost-free, engaging option that caters to the needs of all family members. Children, with their boundless energy and need for active, independent play, are particularly underserved when it comes to nighttime activities. While adults may be content with a serene evening stroll by the river, children require more rambunctious, rugged play to tire them out—allowing hardworking parents to get the rest they need for the next day's challenges. The stark reality is that there are simply not enough free nighttime options for families. Glow parks must become a cornerstone of urban planning and community revitalization efforts. As cities and towns across the nation strive to reinvent themselves, the inclusion of glow parks in their strategies is not just a bright idea—it's an essential one. The spark has been lit in Texas. Now, it's time for that glow to spread, transforming our communities one park at a time. #lighting #design #cities #urban #urbanism

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA (June 24, 2024) – County, city and public safety leaders were joined by community stakeholders June 18 to discuss transportation safety as part of the Safe Streets For All transportation safety plan. Cherokee County, along with the cities of Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, and Ball Ground, were awarded a $450,000 action plan grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program. Cherokee County engaged Pond & Company to gather data and develop a plan under the guidelines and requirements of the grant program. A public participation survey is under way and will remain open until August. “While input and data from official sources are imperative to creating a usable and successful plan, the public’s input is critical to identifying what our residents see in their daily travels,” said Community Development Director Brantley Day. The 13-question survey takes about 10 minutes or less to complete. There is an additional map activity that allows respondents to drag and drop pins identifying areas of concerns related to intersections and signals, roadway design, condition, markings and signage, bicycle and pedestrian safety, weather and lighting, and rail and freight. A Spanish version of the survey and map activity are also available. Continue reading at the link below: https://lnkd.in/esNXkwmb #pressrelease #safestreetsforall #transportationplanning

Community Input Needed: Addressing Park Safety and Use Dear neighbors, We’re reaching out to gather your valuable input about Washington Jefferson and other neighborhood parks. These spaces are being used to offer much-needed support to our unhoused community members, reflecting the heart and generosity of our neighborhood. However, we’ve noticed some concerns about safety and want to ensure that everyone in our community feels secure and supported. Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you! We’re seeking your thoughts on the following which will inform the discussion at our next General Meeting on September 11th. -What questions, concerns or observations do you have for the WCC and City of Eugene about safety in our parks? - Do you have any ideas for potential solutions or improvements to address safety issues while continuing to support our unhoused community? Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping positive solutions. Please share your ideas with us by sending a direct message or emailing whiteakercommunitycouncil@gmail.com. Together, we can achieve our goal of making our community stronger and safer for all! https://lnkd.in/ghknd9iV

🚨 Addressing the Concerns in Barrie's Park Safety Survey 🚨 Recently, the City of Barrie launched a survey on "Prioritizing Safety & Cleanliness in Parks and Public Spaces." As someone deeply engaged in local advocacy and public policy, I have significant concerns about the survey’s design and its impact on guiding policy decisions. Here are a few key issues: 1️⃣ Leading Questions: The survey pushes respondents toward negative perceptions, such as framing encampments as inherently problematic without offering the chance for balanced perspectives. This approach skews the data and fails to capture the complexity of the issue. 2️⃣ One-Sided View of Parks: The focus is solely on negative activities like drug use and panhandling, without acknowledging positive or neutral park uses. This presents a distorted picture of what happens in our public spaces, potentially inflating safety concerns. 3️⃣ Lack of Context for Informed Decisions: One question asks whether the City should appeal a court ruling on evicting encampments, but doesn’t provide any legal or ethical background on the ruling. Without the full context, how can residents offer informed opinions? 4️⃣ Oversimplifying Public Safety: Safety is not a one-size-fits-all issue. Yet, the survey asks residents to choose between "safe," "neutral," or "unsafe" without considering the nuanced ways in which people experience safety based on time, events, or personal circumstances. 5️⃣ Excluding Marginalized Voices: The survey doesn’t include the perspectives of encampment residents, which is crucial for an inclusive and ethical public consultation process. We need to ensure that all voices, especially those most affected, are heard. 💡 Why This Matters: Good public policy starts with good data. If we want policies that truly reflect the needs of our community, we must ensure that the ways we engage with residents are balanced, inclusive, and provide room for meaningful feedback. Barrie’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan commits to transparency and accountability—this survey should reflect those values. I encourage all Barrie residents to participate in this discussion. Fill out the survey, contact your city councillor, and support local organizations like BHHJN, Ryan’s Hope, Barrie Encampment Support Network, and the Busby Centre. Public engagement is key to building a healthier, safer community. Link to the survey: https://lnkd.in/gbtG--rX. #PublicEngagement #Barrie #EthicalConsultation #PublicPolicy #CommunityDevelopment #CivicEngagement