Colorado Springs: CSPD receives Grant to Improve Safety at Memorial Park

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The Colorado Springs Police Department and the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services (PRCS) department and Colorado Springs Utilities are collaborating on reducing crime and enhancing recreation at Memorial Park. The Colorado Springs Police Department received $1,726,331 from the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Office of Adult and Juvenile Justice Assistance, SB22-01 – Crime Prevention Through Safer Streets. The grant will fund the Memorial Park Safety Improvements Project. The project will employ Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CEPTD) principles to improve safety at Memorial Park.

A collaborative effort between CSPD and PRCS, with input from residents and the Hillside Advisory Team (HAT), developed a list of concerns and suggestions to improve safety at Memorial Park. The information from the Hillside Advisory Team identified their top three problems, lighting, vandalism, and criminal activity. The grant has three goals to address safety concerns in Memorial Park:
  • Secure the park from vehicle traffic during closed night-time hours
    • Securing Memorial Park from vehicle traffic during established night-time closed hours by installing 19 gates (16 steel and three cable wire) at park access points.
  • Establishing 24-hour video surveillance around Memorial Park and Sertich Ice Center
    • Installing ten wireless theft and vandalism-resistant security cameras at strategic points near the Memorial Skatepark and Sertich Ice Center.
  • Improve lighting throughout Memorial Park
    • Increasing visibility throughout Memorial Park by installing 181 new or improved lights on roadways, parking lots, and walkways.

Chief of Police Adrian Vasquez states, "The collaboration between City of Colorado Springs organizations, community members, and groups show the commitment by all involved to improve the quality of life and public safety. The improvements to the park will make the park safer for individuals and families. CSPD remains committed to making our community safer, and this grant will do just that."

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"Public safety is a top priority for Memorial Park and within the Colorado Springs parks system as a whole," said Britt Haley, Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services director. "Memorial Park has a rich and unique history that's connected to both the creation of Prospect Lake by General Palmer shortly after the city's founding, as well as rapid population growth in the city following World War II. Today, this large community park at the heart of the City, features a wide variety of recreation opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. All of our park users benefit from enhanced safety and the Parks Department is extremely grateful for this grant and for the collaboration between departments to boost our safety features for the public. "

"Colorado Springs Utilities is excited about the opportunity to partner with the City to provide a safer environment for the citizens in and around the Memorial Park community," states Kate Singh, Senior Public Affairs Specialist for Colorado Springs Utilities.

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Upon completion of the improvements to the park the community will find the park to be a far more inviting and safer experience.

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