NORTHEAST COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
NORTHEAST COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Learn about our work
Purpose of the Northeast Advisory Committee
To implement priority improvement projects in 14 locations along the Northeast sections of the Canal with substantial community participation, the Conservancy has established this Northeast Advisory Committee. This Committee will support a community feedback structure that will cultivate leadership and creative engagement for ongoing feedback on improvements, while inspiring local connections and programs, enhancing community vitality through use of the Canal open space.
Composition and Goals
The committee consists of various advisors representing the breadth of neighborhoods along the Canal in the Northeast to deeply engage and empower community members and local partners to scale the impact of trail improvements. The goals of the Committee are to:
- Represent the more than 15 neighborhoods adjacent to the Canal in the Northeast regarding the High Line Canal;
- Build trust and engage with the broader community through authentic and relevant outreach tactics to gain a deeper level of public input for Canal improvements;
- Transfer decision-making power to community members to guide authentic and relevant Canal trail improvements; and
- Create opportunities for community members, including youth, to initiate positive change in their communities.
Structure
Aligned with the breadth of projects and local neighborhoods, the Northeast is broken into five clusters:
- East Denver
- Central Aurora
- Aurora Municipal Center
- North Aurora
- Green Valley Ranch
These clusters align with the prioritized improvement projects. To ensure representation of the varied and many Canal-adjacent communities, the committee will consist of 2-3 representatives from each cluster, resulting in a committee of 10 – 15 members. Recruitment will be phased in according to the project’s timeline.
Roles and Responsibilities
The key roles of Committee members include:
- Serve as a key stakeholder for the design and implementation of improvement projects.
- Regularly meet with the committee to give personal input and feedback – as well as report on feedback from the community – to help guide designs, budgets and decisions related to the projects in the northeast.
- Assist with the development of an inclusive outreach and engagement plan focused on the diverse neighborhoods of the northeast sections of the Canal
- Advise Conservancy staff in executing outreach and engagement tactics.
- Facilitate relationships with community leaders and members, including neighborhood residents and stakeholders, local businesses, places of worship, schools and other groups.
- Gather input from your community about trail enhancements.
- Generate input about Canal enhancements through community engagements, such as tabling, community events and other communications with your community.
- Promote events and recruit community members to participate in all programs and public input events.
- Disseminate trail use and enhancement surveys to the community.
Northeast Advisory Committee
That same passion for open spaces lead to 19 years in Alaska visiting national parks including Cape Krusenstern National Monument near the Arctic Circle. Her commitment to social justice led to a career in advocacy and marketing on racial justice, gender equality, environmental justice, food insecurity and healthcare for many NGOs. Retired and returning to Aurora in 2021, she continues a commitment to social justice and open spaces by volunteering on the High Line Canal.
