Sunflower Season on South Table Mountain
Photo by Liz Erickson Bettis
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Jul. 27th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- 7-9AM - Clear Creek Corridor Cleanup
- 7AM-10PM - Jeffco 4-H Fair
- 8AM - Municipal Court Arraignments
- 9:30-10:30AM - Fit and Energize Exercise Class
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
- 6:30PM - Movement Monday Running Club
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
2-3PM Virtual: Active Minds Monday
At Jefferson County Public Library, we foster continuous learning and connections. Keep your minds engaged every Monday! Be sure to explore our website for additional weekly event options, including call-ins and livestreams.
Today’s topic: Napoleon
Step back 200 years into the life and legacy of Napoleon. Review the impact of this important leader with Active Minds. Gain an understanding of the man and his leadership at the time that changed the world in ways that still prevail today.
The Golden Word - 07/27/26
Golden History: A Safe Place to Play
Area proposed for a playground at 16th and East Street - Google Satellite Image
Click to enlarge
As automobiles became increasingly common during the early 20th century, the time-honored tradition of children playing in the streets became more and more dangerous.
93 Years Ago
The July 27, 1933 Colorado Transcript reported that "a committee of East street citizens" wanted to build a playground at 16th and East Streets. The property owner planned to donate the empty lots, which comprised about one-fourth of a block.
Parents declare that such playgrounds will prove of inestimable value in keeping children from playing in the streets, where, no matter how careful they may be, they are in constant danger of suffering injury from automobiles. Then, too, the playgrounds, devoted exclusively to the use of the children, will create a greater interest in healthful outdoor games and sports, and keep the youngsters in their own neighborhood, thus relieving parents of much worry.
Colorado Transcript - July 27, 1933
The East Street committee planned to include "a baseball diamond, bicycle track, swings, and other playground equipment." They hoped that this new park would inspire playgrounds on vacant lots in other neighborhoods.
The East Street group approached City Council, asking for use of the city's tractor and help from a street crew to remove rocks from the proposed playground. Council referred the matter to the Park committee.
The East Street playground was not mentioned in the Transcript again, but apparently it inspired some community conversation. Council decided that a playground would be a good idea, but concluded that it belonged in City Park. That was a larger piece of property, which would allow the playground to be farther from the streets. As Mayor Jones commented, "if we can get a playground far from the streets, I believe it will be worth while and the City Park is the place."
The P.T.A. installed a sandbox, a wading pool, and "travel rings." The Kiwanis Club paid for a slide and the American Legion installed swings. The D.A.R. helped finance stone restrooms and grills.
The playground was popular, but the equipment was often vandalized and rarely fixed.
The Transcript printed this sad piece in 1948.
78 Years Ago
NO PLACE TO PLAY
You know, it’s just downright pitiful that Golden has no playground for the children, when you see how they love those poor, dilapidated pieces of equipment that are still standing in Pioneer park.’
There’s seldom an hour during any nice day that there are not a few children and sometimes several playing on the rings, the swings and the slide. They don’t mind that there’s a rung missing on the ladder to the top of the slide. They stretch and strain and manage to get to the top. They don’t mind that one swing is gone entirely, another has broken and been hiked up to an uncomfortable height. They don’t care that two of the rings are gone and the chains have been tied together. They still thoroughly enjoy and love what is left— and they use it continually.
And the poor wading pool that some organization struggled to get built once upon a time. Now it is full of sand, waste paper, broken glass, splintered wood, orange peel, twigs, dead leaves and such. Of course it is never used anymore because it was a health hazard and the dogs practically crowded the children out. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a nice, fenced-in wading pool for the children and a beautiful playground with lots of good, sturdy equipment?
Colorado Transcript – June 17, 1948
Not long after this, the City decided to sell City Park (a/k/a Pioneer Park) to Jefferson County and the School of Mines. Civic groups began focusing instead on the land near Clear Creek. For whatever reason, that location worked better. The Kiwanis Club built a picnic area and the campground. The Optimist Club installed the playground. The Lions Club built the athletic fields. The DAR planted many trees. In 1959, the citizens of Golden approved a bond issue to build an outdoor pool, recreation center, and tennis courts.
The idea of building neighborhood parks so children could play close to home wasn't entirely forgotten. In the 1980s, the City began an energetic program of building neighborhood parks. We now have 21 parks, and most have playgrounds.
Sometimes it just takes a few years (like 93) to bring an idea to fruition.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Low around 74, with temperatures rising to around 79 overnight. West northwest wind around 7 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Partly sunny. High near 93, with temperatures falling to around 86 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 67, with temperatures rising to around 71 overnight. West wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 67°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F
Tuesday Night: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 66°F
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 90°F
Wednesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 66°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 92°F
Thursday Night: Partly Cloudy, 66°F
Friday: Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 93°F
Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 66°F
Saturday: Sunny, 93°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Clear, 66°F
Sunday: Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 98°F
Supporters
Many thanks to the people and organizations who support What’s Happening in Golden? If you would like to support local news, please CLICK HERE!
Sponsors:
($100/month or $1,175/year)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Battery, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Earth Sweet Boutique, and Colorado Railroad Museum
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $575/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Vic DeMaria, Unite Fitness, and Joy Brandt
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $285/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, in memory of Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, Forrest Jones, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz, The Golden Hotel, Kurt & Janet Siegfried, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Centennial State Wealth Advisors, Steve & M.L. Richardson, Jeremy & Stephanie Keller, AC Development, Golden PT & Pilates, and Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $115/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, Jim Garner, John and Carol McEncroe, the Golden Welcome Center, the Golden Transcript, Koshare Eagle, Ken and Colleen Krantz, Traci Neuman Lacey, Jo Barber, Jamie Cookinham, Kermit Shields, Meridee Cecil, Colleen & Michael Ramey, Nancy & Pete Torpey, Jax Baker, Simon Maybury, Rose McLaughlin, Cameron Chambers, Joyce Gravina, Patrick Klein, Barb Robie, Richard Caldwell, Janice Waring, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, Mary Eiberger, Kevin Nichols, Ed & Carol Freza, Laura and Curtis Moore, Ruth Hund, Shelley & Jerry Devitt, Eileen Masterson, Kate Olivier, Amy Korengut, Pam Logan, Clare Shier, Wendy Weiman, Marge Frueh. Nannette Johnson, Edgar Walker, Bivy Beer Bar, Nancy Cooper, Jane & Mike Templeton, Vicki Greivel, Kim McDonough, Carie Chimbel, Peggy Brochtrup, and Cindy & Matt Finley
Followers:
($5-9.99/month or $55/year)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Bob Hamilton, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, Emily Kurzinski, Nanette Johnson, Peyton Gibson, Sally Berger, Kristen Morgan, Joyce Sutton, Mary Rains, Craig Champlin, Stan Swisher, Bill Way, Chris Toney, Alicia Zimmerman, Tamara Feucht, GoldenBrokers, and Elizabeth Coil
