The plan to close Congress Park pool during Summers 2019 and 2020 in anticipation of construction possibly in 2020 is unacceptable and takes away a much-needed community resource. We ask that the city begin working to ensure access to this historic and highly utilized pool so it can operate this summer and that planning can proceed ASAP for the proposed improvements. 

Background: In 2017, Denver voters approved a bond for $151.6 million to improve parks and recreational facilities. Among the projects listed in this bond was reconstruction of Congress Park’s outdoor swimming pool, the oldest in the city. The Congress Park pool has served hundreds of Denverites of all ages and backgrounds each day every summer since 1955. (www.denverpost.com/2017/10/06/referred-question-2f-denver

In 2018, Denver voters passed an additional .25% sales tax to expand the city’s system of parks and to close the gap on deferred maintenance. With more than 60% of voters across the city and 70% of voters in Congress Park and adjacent neighborhoods approving this tax, parks and recreation facilities are clearly a high priority. (https://ballotpedia.org/Denver,_Colorado,_Measure_2A,_Parks_and_Open_Space_Sales_Tax_(November_2018)

Since the passage of this bond and these additional funds for maintenance, no progress has been made to repair or commence with advance planning to rebuild this urban resource to minimize its closure. The leaders of the Denver Parks and Recreation have announced that although they have not yet begun the process of design or community engagement, they do not plan to start construction until “sometime in 2020” and they do not intend to open the pool during the summers of 2019 or 2020. (www.congressparkneighbors.org/2018/06/03/congress-park-pool-opening-delayed

Denver Parks and Rec’s 2017 report noted that “Denver's overall public health is ailing with an obesity and chronic disease epidemic.” Listing pools as among the highest priorities for city residents, this report calls to increase “customer usage” and “opportunities to improve programming” to address this serious issue, with aquatics among the top 3 most important programs in the city according to residents. In fact, the report specifically noted that “both indoor and outdoor swimming pools and aquatics programming ranked among the top priorities for investment.” www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/Denveright/documents/Game%20Plan/DPR-Game-Plan_existing-conditions-report_03022017.pdf

We ask city leaders, including Manager Allegra “Happy” Haynes and Mayor Michael Hancock, to begin planning now to open Congress Park swimming pool in time for the 2019 summer. This is essential to the well-being of the city for the following reasons:

• Teaching children to swim is essential for community health. Fatal drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death in the country, with racial disparities in these rates. Congress Park swim lessons have met community desire for affordable swim lessons every summer, filling to capacity every two-week session.
• Congress Park pool serves a hugely diverse population from Congress Park and neighborhoods throughout the city. Thus, closing the pool is a loss with far-reaching effects for Denver residents.
• There are no alternatives available. Other outdoor pools frequently reach capacity during the summer, running waits, and have no additional capacity, even when Congress was open—with its 250-300 person capacity. Indoor pools also fill their lessons to capacity and cannot accomodate additional patrons each day. 
• Congress Park pool is an essential resource for the 92% of Denver youth who take advantage of the My Denver card. Without this safe space, it is unclear where young people will congregate or what accessible and affordable alternatives they will have available.
• Denver has historically prioritized adaptive resources to serve people with disabilities, including through summer camp programs and swim lessons based at Congress Park. Making these less accessible compromises the City’s stated goal to prioritize equity.

We the undersigned appreciate that the pool needs maintenance in order to open. Yet, without a viable alternative and as the only city-sponsored recreational facility within City Council District 10, we hold this is an important investment in families in throughout the community.  We call on city leaders to open the pool during Summer 2019 and commence with the design and community engagement process for a new pool while it's open and the community is able to fully engage in providing feedback to enhance this historic gem.