September 19, 2001

With the 1998 Neighborhood Bond, Denver Public Schools is seeing a dramatic change to middle school ball fields across the city.

"These changes are proof-positive that when adults act on behalf of children, the accomplishments are downright magical," said former Project Coordinator Troy Garner.

The landscape improvements at these sites have altered the appearance of these once arid playgrounds and transformed them into championship quality ball fields. In celebrating the joys of childhood, DPS will "officially" open four of the final six field improvement projects with the dedication ceremonies that follow:

• Gove Middle School, 4050 E. 14th Ave., Wednesday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m.
  
• Hill Middle School, 451 Clermont St., Thursday, September 20 at 11:30 a.m.
  
• Cole Middle School, 3240 Humboldt, Friday, September 21 at 10:00 a.m. (Mayor Webb Expected to Attend)
  
• Skinner Middle School, 3435 W. 40th Ave., Tuesday, September 25 at 9:30 a.m.

The improvements range from the addition of a running track and backstop at Gove Middle School to the addition of a backstop, dugouts, benches, skinned infield and running track at Cole Middle School. And later this year, improvements at Martin Luther King and Morey Middle Schools will complete the three-year project.

Under the leadership of DPS Executive Director of Facility Management, Mike Langley, the school district constructed these projects on time and under budget. The project management team included Project Manager Dave Young, Project Coordinator Troy Garner, and Project Assistant Jake Levy.

In all, 18 middle schools and 2 elementary schools were improved under the Bond Program passed by voters in 1998.