$3.43 million in Arapahoe County Open Space grants awarded

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

Arapahoe County Open Spaces was created in 2003 when county voters approved a 0.25 percent sales and use tax (25 cents on every $100.00) to fund parks, walking and biking trails, public playgrounds, public sports facilities, picnic areas, and even facilities (restrooms) for those facilities. To make sure that this tax continued only with public support, it was designed to sunset after ten years unless voters renewed it. In 2011, voters reaffirmed their support of the program for another ten years. In 2023, Arapahoe County residents will again voice their opinion by voting whether or not to continue this very successful and important program.

At a minimal cost to residents, the Arapahoe County Open Space tax generated $31.2 million during the year ended May 15, 2020. Of that amount, $15.6 million will be distributed via the Share back program directly to the cities and towns in Arapahoe County---Aurora, Bennett, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Deer Trail, Englewood, Foxfield, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton, and Sheridan, based on each city or town’s population. Amounts range from $9.16 million for Aurora to $10,869 for Bennett. They are all listed on the county’s website.

Of the $31.2 million collected this year, $8.4 million will be used to acquire open space and develop trails in “13 properties across the county, from Dove Valley Regional Park in Centennial to Richmil Ranch open space on Colorado’s eastern plains, and many parks and trailheads in between.” Competitive grants to Arapahoe County cities, towns, and special districts are also awarded from this tax.

On July 14, the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners announced $3.43 million in grants awarded to nine local jurisdictions for these winning competitive projects.

Grant recipients and projects

Arapahoe Park and Recreation District

• $28,000 for basketball court upgrades at Peakview North Park in Centennial

• $100,000 for playground improvements at Willow Trace Park in unincorporated Arapahoe County, including new equipment and safety surfacing $33,300 for a new master plan for Fox Hill Park in Centennial, which will help the District identify improved access points, opportunities for trail connections and potential new amenities

City of Aurora:

• $500,000 for trail improvements, native plant gardens, interpretive signage and gathering area for educational programming at the 1,100- acre Plains Conservation Center

• $500,000 for the renovation of Canterbury Park, to include a new playground, picnic, and seating areas, landscaping and walking paths.

Town of Bennett:

• $487,500 for a fishing pond at Bennett Regional Park and Open Space, to include a dock,accessible ramp and shaded picnic area

Cherry Creek Vista Park and Recreation District:

• $100,000 for planning and design of future improvements at Peakview Park in unincorporated Arapahoe County

City of Englewood:

• $350,000 for renovation of Romans Park, including a new restroom, basketball court, picnic shelter and accessible fitness equipment

City of Greenwood Village:

• $90,000 for construction of two new pickleball courts at Westlands Park.

City of Littleton:

• $253,564 for construction of a direct trail connection from Slaughterhouse Gulch Park to Geneva Park via new trail underpasses at the railroad and Rio Grande Street.

• $97,110 for planning of improvements at a new 11- acre addition to Reynolds Landing Park.

• $90,000 for design of stream stabilization and erosion control work at Jackass Gulch, located near the High Line Canal Trail at Mineral Avenue.

City of Sheridan:

• $68,400 for construction of a new trail connection from Oxford Avenue to River Run Trailhead, eliminating the need for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel through the Broken Tee Golf Course parking lot to access the South Platte River and Mary Carter Greenway

South Suburban Park and Recreation District:

• $410,775 for renovation of the picnic shelter and restroom at Writer’s Vista Park in Littleton, improving functionality and accessibility

• $325,000 for improvements at Foxhill Park in Centennial, to include a new playground, picnic pavilion, and updated basketball court

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