Barnum is Because of YOU!

We all know that living in Barnum is pretty terrific. Our neighborhood feels a bit like a time capsule. As Denver has rapidly changed over the past two decades, Barnum has mostly stayed the same. It is a simple and (mostly) quiet neighborhood. *I realize everybody living on Knox St. and Perry St. are rolling their eyes at me right now.* Really, though, most of us know that we have discovered a little treasure on the edge of the city.

It would appear that Denver's changes are touching our neighborhood, though. Earlier this week I was stunned to see both Barnum and Barnum West (I sort of just lump us into one big neighborhood) listed in 5280 Magazine's 2015 list of Denver's Best Neighborhoods. Citing things like affordability, charming brick ranches, and low crime rates, they captured a decent picture of why our neck of the woods is appealing.

I felt vindicated when I read the article because for nine years I have had to explain where Barnum is to everyone who asks me where I live. This is usually followed by, "Isn't that in Lakewood?" So I appreciate that this neighborhood I have loved for nine years is being recognized for the true character and value it has.

While I am proud to see our neighborhood given this distinction, I would be lying if I didn't say it worried me a little bit. Before we lived in Barnum, we owned a home in Jefferson Park. Everybody told me I was crazy for buying a house in "that neighborhood" back in 2002, but I saw the charm. We got out in 2006 just before the majority of the neighborhood was razed for high rise condos and ultra-modern town houses. Our former block (which I found to be quite charming) is now totally unrecognizable.

My concern is that Barnum getting attention for how affordable and livable it is will eventually render it the opposite. I find myself wondering how we can comfortably embrace Denver's rapid growth while still maintaining the eclectic spirit of our community. As I have pondered this question, I have come to one conclusion: WE HAVE TO STAY INVOLVED AND CONNECTED.

1: Keep In Touch Online: This website and the Next Door Barnum website are both excellent resources for keeping neighbors in touch. This website is where you can find information on everything else I list below. If you aren't on Next Door yet, I encourage you to sign up immediately to know what is going on in the 'hood.

2: Join the Beautiful Barnum Project: One of the people you will see posting on Next Door is neighborhood resident Adrian Camacho. He is the coordinator for the Beautiful Barnum project. This is an informal group of neighborhood residents committed to taking small, regular action to help keep our neighborhood safe and beautiful. Currently, this group is discussing getting the city to fix the streetlights, cleaning up alleys, planting donated street trees in yards with a need for more trees, and installing woody plantings along Weir Gulch to help clean up the water and catch the garbage before it ends up polluting Barnum Lake.

3: Help the Sustainable Neighborhood Initiative: Barnum was selected for the Denver Sustainable Neighborhoods program. This project is designed to help Barnum become a "greener" neighborhood but it is up to the citizens to decide what that means and identify projects that will work for our neighborhood. One of the projects that I'm particularly excited about is the planting of a community orchard across the street from the community garden!

4: Meet Up with the Concerned Citizens for Barnum: This is a formal neighborhood organization that discusses and addresses significant issues in our neighborhood. They are a powerful group of individuals that are taking action based on the feedback they hear from neighbors. If you want your voice to be heard and have a valuable perspective, show up and share you thoughts. Right now CCB is doing critical work as they prepare to draft our new neighborhood plan to be formalized by the city. This is an opportunity to weigh in on your thoughts about large residential or commercial development projects being brought to our neighborhood. 

5: Get to Know Your Neighbors: There are some really amazing and interesting people in your midst. Get to know them! Our neighborhood is awesomesauce because of you and people like you. Want to help throw a big party to celebrate said sauce that is awesome? Meet up with us at the Colorado Cider Company at 4:00 on May 9th to plan our neigborhood block party as part of Denver Days!