Inside Arvada

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City Forester Ian McDonald joins the podcast to talk all things trees in Arvada!
Arvada was recently named Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 33rd consecutive year! And for the fourth straight year, Arvada earned the Tree City USA Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation for our outstanding commitment to sustainable urban forest management.
In this episode, Ian explains the criteria required to earn those recognitions (including the fact Arvada spends $8.35 per capita on our tree care – far exceeding the $2 per capita required to be eligible to be named Tree City USA!)
Other topics discussed with Ian include:

• The City's annual Arbor Day tree planting event with local elementary schools
• What exactly is 'urban forestry' and how it's different than traditional forestry
• The City's approach to replacing trees when they have to be removed
• City and County of Denver's Licensed Tree Contractor List
• The programs and services the City's forestry team offers, including Christmas Tree Recycling, Trees Across Arvada, a new mulch pick-up site that will be available soon, and the City's Plant-A-Tree program
• Which types of trees are suitable for Colorado's dry climate and which types are more trouble

Other news and events:

• Mayor Lauren Simpson recently gave her first "State of the City" address
• The City's Volunteer Appreciation Event is now June 8 after getting rained out on April 27
• The Ralston Central Splash Pad and Olde Town Water Fountain open Memorial Day weekend!

Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at [email protected].

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Homelessness Resolution Case Managers Alex Williams and Hudson Janz share information about their work with the unhoused population in Arvada.

In this episode:

• How the case management process works
• Understanding the Point-In-Time count
• Sharing City-run and other local resources
• The day-to-day work and recent success stories
• Cold weather resources and other challenges facing the unhoused population

News & events

• City Manager search to recruit additional candidates
• City recertified as Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community
• Ralston Creek Trail section closed for flood risk mitigation project
• Lake Arbor Master Plan open house from 4 - 6 pm on Thursday, Feb. 20
• Winterfest, the City's multicultural winter celebration, is Saturday, Feb. 22 from 11am - 4pm in Olde Town

Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at [email protected].

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Festival and events season is upon us. For our first episode of Inside Arvada Adelle Burton, the City's Special Events and Public Arts Manager, shares information about the Arvada Kite Festival. Adelle tells the story of how this local tradition became the largest City-run event, filled with high-flying kites and activities for the young and young at heart.
The event takes place Sunday, April 14 at Stenger Sports Complex where there will be fun to be had by all! While you're at the Kite Festival, take advantage of:

• A free bike valet courtesy of Bike Friendly Arvada
• The Denver Museum of Nature and Science's Curiosity Cruiser
• Professional Kite Demonstrations by the Rocky Mountain Kite Association

Sign up to volunteer for Kite Festival!
In our conversation, Adelle also highlights her work with the Arts and Culture Commission integrating art into our city, include two mural projects, La Letra and Babe Walls. Listen now for the inside scoop on the happenings with festivals, events, art and even a short story dispenser that makes its way around town.
Other news and event:

• W. 72nd Avenue community meeting
• Outdoor water saving programs
• Arvada-Blunn Reservoir

Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at [email protected].

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Anna Hoover joins Inside Arvada to talk all things Majestic View Nature Center!
Anna is the director of the Nature Center, the City's environmental education facility and one of Arvada's greatest hidden gems. Anna talks about the various public programs and environmental educational opportunities available through the Nature Center. From superhero-themed summer camps to educational field trips, stargazing events to gardening workshops, the Nature Center offers something for everyone.
Sign up for the Nature Center's enewsletter to stay up-to-date on their program offerings and latest news.

We also discuss the Nature Centers' annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20. This year's celebration includes:

• Kids poster contest with the winners getting a tree planting at the Arvada school or park of their choice
• Family activities and booths
• Trash clean up and drawing for a chance to win a rain barrel

Learn more about this year's Earth Day theme of Planet vs. Plastics and why single-use plastics are bad for the environment. Plus, learn how you can celebrate Earth Day every day with actionable steps using the five Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.
Plus, learn about what's in store for the future of the Nature Center, including:

• New "Peek-A-Who's in the Forest" exhibit coming soon
• Outdoor classroom project and how you can help reach our funding goals

Other news and events:

• Park Pavilions rentals and etiquette
• High Tea for Seniors on Saturday, May 4
• Annual Pavement Program
• Volunteer Appreciation Event on April 27 at the Nature Center

Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at [email protected].

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How does a city balance preserving its historical charm with the pressing need for affordable housing? What is a comprehensive plan? And how is it different from the land development code?
Join us as we engage with Jessica Garner, Arvada's Community and Economic Development Director, who explains the multifaceted role of her department. Jessica delves into the inner workings of the five key divisions she oversees: planning, housing, building, economic development, and systems and administration.
Discover how collaborative efforts across departments guide Arvada's strategic community growth and ensure cohesive development. Additional information on topics covered in the episode:

• Arvada's Comprehensive Plan and other long-range plans
• The Land Development Code
• W. 64th Ave. Sub-Area Plan
• Housing and the Arvada Housing Advisory Committee

Other news and events:

• The last Bulky Item Drop-Off Event of the year is Aug. 10
• Information about utilities rates on the Utilities Transparency webpage
• Arvada's newest park, Serenity Ridge Park, is now open!
• The next Movies Around Town is Aug. 9 featuring "Back to the Future" at Wolff Park
• Take the People's Choice Movie Poll to help choose the final movie for Movies Around Town
• Celebrate the end of summer at the Arvada Days festival on August 24

Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at [email protected].