Partnership Spotlight: Parks and Recreation

The City of Wheat Ridge Homeless Navigation Program has developed a strong and essential partnership with the Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Department, working together to support our unhoused neighbors and build a more compassionate community. Parks and Rec staff are often on the front lines, maintaining public spaces and interacting daily with individuals experiencing homelessness. By combining their on-the-ground presence with our program’s case management and resource coordination, we’ve created a more responsive and effective approach to addressing homelessness in Wheat Ridge.

Our collaboration is rooted in clear communication and mutual support. We maintain an active text thread with Community Service Officers and Environmental Service Technicians, allowing them to quickly alert us to encampments or individuals requesting assistance. We also borrow a Gator utility vehicle from Parks and Rec staff to access remote areas of the Greenbelt on our weekly outreach efforts that aren’t reachable by car. In addition, we operate a free shower program through the Recreation Center, providing clients with access to basic hygiene. The Rec Center also generously hosted a donation box during our recent donation drive, helping us gather essential summer outreach supplies for the community.

Parks and Recreation staff have truly become our eyes and ears throughout Wheat Ridge. They provide immediate support, such as food, water, clothing, and hygiene supplies, and they foster connections to long-term services like housing navigation and case management via their direct referral line to our program. We are proud to work alongside them and are grateful for their support in our shared mission of keeping Wheat Ridge a welcoming, safe, and healthy community for all.

Housing Navigator Kory using the Gator vehicle on outreach