On Monday morning, when Peter Boyles started broadcasting live from Civic Center Park, the park was wide open to all visitors. On Tuesday morning, same thing. But when he arrived at 3:30 a.m. this morning, the park was suddenly surrounded by temporary fencing. He had to open a gate to get in; guests and fans are still having problems finding him.
Why the sudden fence? Not to keep out protesters, if you believe yesterday's press release from the Downtown Denver Partnership below (italics and bolds definitely theirs):
"Starting at 12:01 am on Wednesday morning, A Taste of Colorado will begin its preparations for setting up the festival in Civic Center Park. This will include fencing off access to portions of Civic Center Park in order to maintain safety during construction. The advance preparations for the festival are similar to building a small city and will be around the clock during the festival's opening on Friday afternoon. The fencing is a normal precaution for any construction site and is required in order to safely set up the event during times that other activities will be taking place in the portion of the park closest to Bannock Street. These efforts are not related to the protests taking part in Civic Center Park. Protest organizers are aware that this event will be setting up adjacent to their group. We would greatly appreciate it if you could help spread this message to your respective audiences in order to avoid confusion regarding the purpose of the fencing."
Consider it spread. But for the record, Re-create 68, which has the permit, was aware that Taste would be coming to town -- but was definitely in the dark about the fencing. --Patricia Calhoun
