Guests honor Denver at renaming of park in his honor

John and Linda Denver pose by the monument at the front of the newly renamed John V. Denver Park in Menifee. Menifee 24/7 photos by Doug Spoon

By Doug Spoon, Editor

One of the most recognizable public figures in Menifee was honored Wednesday when a park in the northeast part of the city was renamed John V. Denver Park.

The ceremony took place in a small neighborhood east of the 215 Freeway and just south of McCall Boulevard, where developer Del Webb built housing in the 1960s for families who didn't meet the age requirement of his new Sun City senior community to the west. In the center of that neighborhood is a park Webb named Rancho Ramona Park. On Wednesday it was renamed after Denver, who once lived across the street and still lives just a few blocks away.

Denver began a career in public service as a member of the Perris Union High School District Governing Board in 1988. He has served the area in many capacities since then, including becoming the only person to serve the entire first 10 years of Menifee's incorporation on the City Council.

One of those most instrumental in the formation of Menifee as an incorporated city, Denver left the City Council because of term limits a year ago. The longtime Menifee resident continues to be active in the community with his wife Linda. Both are members of the Menifee Rotary Club and are active supporters of Arts Council Menifee.

Wednesday's ceremony included proclamations presented to Denver by representatives of County Supervisor Jeff Hewitt; Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez; Senator Mike Morrell; the Menifee Rotary Club; and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce.

After a ribbon cutting and unveiling of the John V. Denver mark monument, guests watched as a young crepe myrtle tree was planted in commemoration of Clean Air Day. The park also now features some exercise equipment purchased by the Rotary Club.

"I am just so honored by this; I want to thank you," Denver told the crowd. "The City of Menifee has been a most important part of my life."

Denver was a member of the Perris Union High School District Board during the opening of both Paloma Valley High School and Heritage High School in Menifee. He was a teacher, realtor and community activist in the Sun City community during the years that a movement was underway to incorporate the area as Menifee.

Denver served one term as mayor and served for many years as the City Council representative to District 4, the northeast area of the city. He campaigned for improvements in the Romoland community and for improvements in public transportation in the area.

One of his favorite activities is to play Santa Claus each holiday season at city festivals and the Santa's Workshop, in which area children visit Santa and are allowed to pick out new toys through the Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Denver said the park, which he called "very nice" when Webb first opened it, had fallen into neglect over the years before City of Menifee work crews improved it. The park today includes a basketball court, shade areas, children's play structures and exercise equipment for seniors.

John and Linda Denver pose with other Rotarians at some of the new exercise equipment in the park.