Allegra “Happy” Haynes

Allegra “Happy” Haynes is overseeing 250 urban parks, 29 recreation centers, 31 pools and 14,000 acres of mountain parks.  Her vision is to help build a healthier city, create more park land and opportunities for all ages to play and exercise, increase sustainable practices, grow urban forests and connect diverse communities to nature.  Happy is a Denver native. She received a BA degree in Political Science from Barnard College at Columbia University and an MPA from the University of Colorado at Denver.  During a career in local government spanning 36 years, Happy served 13 years on the Denver City Council from 1990 – 2003, including two years as President, and has served under three different mayors.   She also served as an elected member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education for 8 years.  She currently serves on the national boards of the City Parks Alliance and the Trust for Public Land along with local boards including the Colorado Trust for Public Land, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens, Salazar Center for North American Conservation, Civic Center Conservancy, Denver Park Trust, and The Park People.