Sentinel Lakewood
LAKEWOOD 2/28/13
February 28, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlakewoodnews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 89, Issue 29
Trails get $2 million
HISTORIC VICTORY
Big money for Rocky Mountain Greenway By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com Federal funds announced Feb. 18 strengthens the vision of a pedestrian and bicycle greenway corridor connecting three national wildlife refuges and the Rocky Mountain National Park with the Denver metro area. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff joined with Gov. John Hickenlooper and Jefferson County officials at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge to announce the $2 million in funding, to improve Metro Denver resident’s ability to walk and bike their way to nature. Of that grant money, $1,735,000 will go directly toward expanding the Rocky Mountain Greenway — a project to build trail connections between national wildlife refuge sites at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Two Ponds, and Rocky Flats, with eventual extensions to the Denver metro area trail system on one end, and north to the Rocky Mountain National Park on the other. Specifically, the $1.7 million will build a seven-mile link between Arvada and the eastern edge of the Rocky Flats refuge. While the former nuclear weapon manufacturing area has been designated a wildlife refuge, the property remains closed to the public, and does not have the trail and visitor center amenities of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal site. The trail section lies within Jefferson County, and two commissioners attended the announcement: Chair Donald Rosier and District 1 Commissioner Faye Griffin. The grants are part of a total allocation of $12.5 million for 29 projects in 20 states “to improve access to America’s national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges,” according to the statement released by the FTA. Within Colorado, the municipalities of Estes Park and Durango also will receive some of the FTA funding, also for the completion of recreational and transportation trails.
The $1.7 million
Aaron Cisneros celebrates after winning the first state wrestling championship in the history of Jefferson High School Saturday night. Cisneros captured the Class 3A 126-pound title with a 18-1 technical fall over Joseph Prieto of Holy Family. See Pages 21-23. Photo by Alan Yamamoto
Hockey day brings together friends Adapted teams gather for fun, competition
a seven-
mile link between
Arvada and the eastern
By Clarke Reader
edge of the
creader@ourcoloradonews. com
Rocky Flats
B
ryan Wickoren, adapted physical education coordinator for Jeffco Schools, kicked off Adapted Athletics hockey tournament by saying, “Let the puck drop and have fun,” at Alameda High School on Feb. 20. Adapted teams from Alameda, Arvada, Arvada West, Bear Creek, Chatfield, Conifer, Golden, Lakewood, Ralston Valley and Wheat Ridge high schools, Ken Caryl Moore, O’Connell Middle and Arvada K-8 and Fletcher Miller all showed up for a morning of competition and companionship. “The students really enjoy it, and we’ve been practicing for this in class,” said Dan Bennett, Alameda’s challenge class teacher. “They also really enjoy getting a chance to see some of their old friends.” The players used hockey sticks with foam and a large ball to play, and had help from student coaches as they raced to the net, passing to their teammates in an attempt to score goal. High fives are thrown all around when someone does score. Wickoren said that the number of schools who participate grows every year — the first hockey day had around six teams and this year’s had 14. “This is the first year we’ve got four games going at once,” he said. “We really want to make sure we’re giving everyone playing time and making
will build
refuge.
Quentin Swedenberg of Miller Special School in Lakewood gets ready to hit a ball during Jeffco Adapted Athletics at Alameda High School Wednesday, Feb. 20. sure everyone is participating.” Events like this are a way for teachers to fill the gaps that some funding cuts have caused to adapted programs, according to Bennett. Despite these cuts, he said the Jeffco Adapted Athletics mission — to provide students with disabilities the same opportunities as other students to enjoy the benefits of a quality middle school/high school program and help to become active members in society who lead healthy lifestyles — is the driving force behind keeping these sporting events going. Hockey is one of four sports that Jeffco adapted teams gather to play every year, including softball, basketball and soccer. Jeffco school board member Jill Fellman was on hand at her alma mater to support the students and schools. “I know by experience how
Darby Colbert of Bear Creek High advances the ball while playing in the Jeffco Adapted Athletics hockey tournament at Alameda High School Wednesday, Feb. 20. Photos by Andy Carpenean important days like these are for both the kids and the families,” she said. “It’s great to hear the band, and see the integration of kids.” Alexis Paxton, a junior at Arvada West, was in the school to help the students compete, and said that their excitement for
the event is contagious. “The kids are always so enthusiastic, and I’ve learned so many things like how to solve problems with them,” she said. Fellman perhaps summed up the spirit of the day best when she said, “Everybody wins on days like this.”
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