LUN Key Activities in Response to the LUN Community Survey

Based on your feedback and recommendations from the survey, we have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, the following programs and actions: 

Your Feedback: Interest in Building Stronger Community Bonds and Relationships through Programs and Community Events           

• Litter Free Lowry Program: On Earth Day, LUN launched the Litter Free Lowry program designed to create a cleaner community that encourages neighborhood pride by keeping Lowry litter-free. The primary focus is on areas with the highest perceived needs on the east side of Lowry, as well as within the parks and sports areas.
  • Expanding Community Involvement: We expanded 25 high-priority litter routes to 45 routes through all areas of Lowry and Boulevard One. This program encourages participation in the litter teams to be a social and healthy way to strengthen relationships and build a sense of pride among neighbors. Over 60 individuals participated in the LUN Earth Day kickoff.
  • Results: Three months later, Lowry has never been cleaner, with volunteers acutely aware of litter and actively picking it up when found. We distributed 60 yellow LUN yard signs across the neighborhood, 50 volunteer safety vests, and pickers designed to maximize safety and overall program visibility. LUN reinforces this activity with monthly emails to volunteers to encourage their work and build a cleaner, more connected neighborhood.
• Community Information and Education: LUN brings neighbors together on a variety of topics related to living in Denver. LUN hosted town halls, bringing in expert panels to discuss and answer questions “Housing the Unhoused”, Scams “What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You”, and the importance of downtown “Downtown Denver, Why Should We Care”.  

Your Feedback: Build a Safer and More Connected Community 

• Through its Traffic and Safety Committee, LUN has maintained an active relationship with District 3 Denver Police (DPD) Community Resource Officers, with whom we work closely around community safety concerns. LUN has hosted Neighborhood Watch programs and Neighborhood Safety Tune-ups.  Safety committee members have met with Denver park rangers, DPD and several establishments to discuss complaints and take action to mitigate car club meet-ups and street racing in Lowry.
• LUN works with DOTI to address traffic safety and traffic management issues that have been identified by Lowry residents. A meeting with International School of Denver, DOTI and DPD was recently held to begin to improve the traffic congestion situation at student drop-off/pick-up time.  A support letter from LUN helped Stanley British Primary School obtain a grant to improve pedestrian safety near their school.
• The Block Builder program has 21 contact lists with emails and phone numbers for their respective blocks. These Block Builders are tied closely with the Neighborhood Watch program, in collaboration with the Denver Police community team. LUN encourages these block captains to organize social functions like block parties, potlucks, and other social gatherings so that neighbors know neighbors. Through Block Builders, we have neighbors watching out for neighbors, thus reducing crime and increasing safety and security.
• LUN recently hosted a “Coffee with a Cop” event at Woodgrain Bakery in Lowry providing the opportunity for neighbors to meet informally with District 3 police.

Your Feedback: Build Stronger Community Connections

• 3rd Annual LUN Independence Parade and Celebration: LUN organized its annual independence celebration which took place at Sunset Park. Target audience for this event is younger families with children, who are typically busy with work/careers and children/family activities. The June 29 event brought together nearly 350 participants, 80% families with young children. It was a great way to bring families from across Lowry to participate. Here is some more information on the event.
• The Denver Police District 3 community team was a featured part of the independence celebration, with a dedicated DPD booth and over a dozen DPD officers, including the Denver Mounted Police, engaging with residents.
• Volunteer and Merchant Participation: the event had 43 volunteers helping with the event, from setting up canopies and food stations, signs, banners, and organizing help for LUN-provided decoration stations. LUN solicited local merchant participation to provide gifts to the various parade winners for best-decorated bikes, pets, and people. Other local businesses purchased booths or sponsored activities like the face painting tent to introduce themselves to their Lowry prospects and customers.
• Community Partnerships: LUN also encouraged non-profits like the Brookdale Senior Center, the Montclair Rec Center, Denver Parks and Recreation, and the Denver Library bookmobile to participate. We had booths and strong support from the Lowry Foundation, District 5 City Councilperson Amanda Sawyer, and LCMA, who provided exclusive use of the park and porta-potties. Other participants included Councilpersons Paul Kashmann and Serena Gutierrez, Colorado Senator, Matt Ball. From our senior citizens to our youngest families, the LUN Independence Day celebration was a big success in bringing our community together, thus meeting the identified needs of all ages.

Your Feedback: Attracting Younger Community Members

• LUN newsletter is distributed to over 1,100 individuals each month. It highlights community activities, sustainability and climate information, featured community residents, volunteer opportunities, updates from the city, the community calendar, and news about Lowry events like music, happy hours, other nonprofit activities. 
• In addition to our website (lowryunitedneighborhoods.org), LUN social media is expanded to include LUN Facebook and Instagram, designed to expand our target communications to younger community members.

Your Feedback: Address Concerns about the Decline of the Lowry Town Center

• The survey had several comments regarding concerns about the decline of the Lowry Town Center, its high vacancy rate, concerns about sewer smells, and inactive attractions like the town center fountain.
• In May, LUN led an effort to coordinate with key community elements including District 5 Councilperson Amanda Sawyer, the Lowry Foundation, and the Lowry Business Alliance. After meeting with community leaders, we jointly wrote a series of letters of concern to the executives of Kimco, the leasing agency. These letters requested specific improvements and feedback on improving the Lowry Town Center. We have received responses from Kimco and have seen some improvements, but are continuing to press them to prioritize the Lowry Town Center not just as a shopping area but as the heart of Lowry.

Conclusion

Your feedback is the cornerstone of our continuous efforts. We are committed to building a vibrant, supportive and highly engaged LUN community. It is our hope that the LUN efforts outlined above can enhance our Lowry experience and create a positive impact. We encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you for being an integral part of the LUN community. 

Please share your ideas and comments at any time by emailing us at: connect@lowryunitedneighborhoods.org