Neighbors from Denver and Lakewood's 21 participating Sustainable Neighborhoods communities are invited to join a potluck-style picnic Sunday, July 23, to make connections, share ideas and most importantly celebrate the efforts of each neighborhood. A main dish and beverages will be provided by the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program, but we ask that attendees bring a side dish to share with the group. 

There is a jungle gym and playground adjacent to the picnic area, and families are encouraged to attend and enjoy lawn games, giveaways and a group activity. Consider bringing lawn chairs or blankets to sit in the grass, as there is limited space at the picnic tables. Don't forget to bring your reusable cups, water bottles, plates and cutlery!

The picnic will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, on the north side of Sloan's Lake near the 26th and Tennyson parking lot. Map your walk, bike, carpool or transit route in advance to minimize the carbon footprint of this event.

You can visit the event Facebook page to learn more and RSVP.  

Bike to Work Day 2017 took place on June 28, with an estimated 34,000 cyclists taking to the roads across the state. In Lakewood, early morning cyclists stopped by the Addenbrooke Park Breakfast Station, led by the Lakewood Bicycle Advisory Team in partnership with the City of Lakewood. The breakfast station featured free bike checkups by Golden Bear Bicycle, yummy treats and information on programs from Jefferson County Public Health, Lakewood Recreation and Bicycle Colorado. State Senator Andy Kerr and State Representative Chris Kennedy led a group ride from the station to downtown Denver. More than 80 people stopped by to enjoy the treats and great company. 

In the afternoon the Sustainable Southern Gables hosted a water station to help cyclists beat the heat on their way home, and Lakewood Bicycle Advisory Team partnered with the City and Belmar to host a Belmar Bike to Work Day Happy Hour. With music, food, and even "slow" bicycle races, this station is worth remembering for your route home next year! 

You can get more involved with the bicycle community by joining the Lakewood Bicycle Advisory Team's monthly meeting or signing up for the Save the 'Zone initiative to reduce trips by car.  

Are you searching for ways to save energy and water at home? To buy more local food? To make your next neighborhood picnic zero waste? Visit Lakewood.org/Sustainability for toolkits, links and other resources to help you lead a more sustainable lifestyle.  

Within the Local Food section, you will find a list of active farmers' markets and community gardens, along with instructions for getting permits for food producing animals and hosting your own neighborhood food stand. 

Don't miss the newly launched Energy & Water Resource Center webpages, where you will discover guides for going solar and how to take advantage of rebates and programs from local energy and water utilities. 

Bookmark Lakewood.org/Sustainability to stay up to date on programs and information on how Lakewood is building a more sustainability community. 

This month's featured 2017 Sustainability Award winner is Alexis Moore. In northeast Lakewood, the Two Creeks neighborhood is undergoing a renaissance championed by Lakewood Principal Planner Alexis Moore. The transformation began in 2013 with a neighborhood planning effort led by Alexis and her team focusing on pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, improving access to healthy food and creating a safe community gathering space. The planning effort sparked the creation of Mountair Park Community Farm and the development of the 40 West ARTline, an interactive four-mile art route. Over the years, Alexis has helped the City to forge meaningful relationships and build trust with residents by meeting and engaging with residents where they were – places like schools, churches and community events. By listening to resident feedback and communicating about how everyone will benefit from activities, Alexis and her team have been successful in engaging a broad spectrum of the community and creating a movement in which the entire community can take part. 
 
Interested in exploring the Two Creeks neighborhood this summer? Take a bike ride through Mountair Park on your way to the 40 West Farmers Market on any Saturday through Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.