Commons Park assaults prompt city to improve lighting in the area
After reports of increased crime in Commons Park, the Denver City Council and Denver Department of Parks and Recreation are funneling money into this popular neighborhood northwest of starting with $150,000 for lighting improvements to "address critical safety needs in Commons Park."
That's how the cost was described on council's agenda two weeks ago, when it approved the funding for a lighting improvement project at the increasingly popular park in the Central Platte Valley, which is located between Lower Highland and LoDo. The parks department will use the money to look for a longterm solution that will increase visibility in parts of Commons Park, says Mark Bernstein, a downtown area planner with the department.
The city has already installed four LED light structures on the bridge in Commons Park that goes over the Platte River. "This was a quick fix," says Bernstein. "We had the need to address this immediately."
According to City Councilwoman Judy Montero's office, the parks department should have a lighting design by this fall and could complete installation by the end of the year.
Detective John White, a DPD spokesman, doesn't offer specific details of the alleged incidents, explaining that at a "community meeting" several months ago, residents expressed concerns that the park was dark at night. The DPD is now working with the parks department to improve conditions at Commons Park.
Page down to read about recent assaults in the area and how Commons Park has changed over time.
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