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History of the Open Space Sales Tax
The Open Space Sales Tax was approved by Adams County voters in 1999 as a 1/3 of one percent sales tax authorized through 2006. In 2004, voters approved an increase to ¼ of one percent, or 25 cents on a $100 purchase, and extended the sales tax through 2026. In 2020, Adams County voters approved a resolution to reauthorize the Open Space Sales Tax in perpetuity.
Proceeds from the sales tax benefit parks, recreation, trails and open space projects countywide.
Funds are distributed in three ways:
- 2% is allocated to administration costs
- 30% is distributed back to the jurisdiction where the tax was generated
- 68% is awarded through a competitive grant program
The Open Space Advisory Board, a seven-member board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, reviews all grant applications and makes recommendations for funding to the Board of County Commissioners. The current 2023 Open Space Advisory Board Members are:
- Michael Koslow (Chair) - Arvada
- Rolando Melgoza (Vice Chair) - Unincorporated Adams County
- Cynde Barnes - Unincorporated Adams County
- Christy Dowling - Unincorporated Adams County
- George Mazzotti - Unincorporated Adams County
- Mark Humbert – City of Brighton
- Jason McEldowney – City of Commerce City
30% Shareback Funding Distributed to Jurisdictions in 2022
30% Shareback Summary | |
 | |
| JURISDICTION | SHAREBACK RECEIVED 2022 |
| Arvada | $111,461.92 |
| Aurora | $1,758,123.90 |
| Bennett | $77,555.02 |
| Brighton | $867,257.33 |
| Commerce City | $1,028,279.75 |
| Federal Heights | $180,359.17 |
| Northglenn | $494,299.70 |
| Thornton | $1,918,500.57 |
| Westminster | $978,962.93 |
| Unincorporated Adams County | $2,067,766.53 |
| Total | $9,482,566.82 |
| *The 30% Shareback is the portion of the Open Space Sales Tax that is distributed back to the jurisdictions within Adams County. The pie chart illustrates how the funds were used, while the table shows the amount each jurisdiction received in 2022. | |
Open Space Sales Tax Grant Distribution (approximately 68 percent of funds)
The Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision on all grant applications. From 2000 to 2023, the Open Space Sales Tax has contributed more than $230,000,000 into parks, recreation, trails, and open space projects throughout Adams County.
In the Fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023, 38 grants were funded through the competitive grant cycle. The projects will improve trail connectivity, fund open space acquisitions, construct and improve parks throughout the county, increase efficiency in water usage and conserve and protect open spaces.
Fall 2022
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) awarded more than $10 million in open space grants thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Due to post-pandemic recovery, Adams County awarded every dollar available. Funding for the fall 2022 grant cycle came from revenues from the first half of the 2022 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999, and in perpetuity in 2020.
“Locally based, long-term open space plans help communities protect the environment, improve quality of life, and preserve critical elements of our local heritage, culture, and economy,” said BoCC Chair Lynn Baca. “We are delighted to be part of the process alongside the residents of Adams County of providing these valuable spaces, which offer comfort and support to people everywhere.”
When the Open Space Sales Tax was presented to voters in 1999, the ballot question called for the creation of an Open Space Advisory Board. This board recommends open space projects to the BoCC for funding. Grants are funded from 68% of the tax proceeds and are awarded twice a year.
The grant recipients for the fall 2022 grant cycle are as follows:
Adams County - Clear Creek Water Park
Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts seeks additional funding for the Clear Creek Whitewater Park. An eight-foot drop structure currently exists along Clear Creek west of Pecos Street. The drop structure used to protect the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) bridge foundations, but the BNSF bridge was recently replaced and no longer requires a drop structure. The drop structure is now obsolete, and to mitigate a safety hazard and improve flood conveyance, it should be replaced. Replacing the drop structure outside the BNSF right-of-way presents a tremendous opportunity for recreational enhancements and improvements to the health of Clear Creek.
Grant Award: $1,500,000
City of Aurora - Westerly Creek Greenway Improvements
The project includes greenway improvements such as channel realignment to create more usable recreation space and trail connectivity from the Westerly Creek Regional trail to Aurora residents, business, and local developments where a gap currently exists. A passive recreation area will also be developed including an event lawn, future futsal (indoor soccer) courts, seating, internal trails, enhanced native landscaping, and overall water quality improvements. The project is a collaborative vision between the City of Aurora, Mile High Flood District, adjacent businesses, and the local community. This phase will include design for the project with the second phase being construction.
Grant Award: $750,000
City of Brighton - Cherry Meadows Park
This grant request is for construction of the new Cherry Meadows Park on an undeveloped 4.38-acre site in northern Brighton. The park lies adjacent to Brighton’s future regional trail that will circle the city. This neighborhood park will include a playground with poured-in-place surfacing, other play structures, a loop trail, road buffer, shelter, benches, site furnishings, bike rack, signage, pond, trees, and shrubs. 40% of the site will be bluegrass, while 60% of the site will contain native grasses. This park, when completed, will be sustainable and create a positive impact on this neighborhood, regional trail users, and the community.
Grant Award: $600,000
City of Brighton - High School Seniors Beautification Project at Carmichael Park
This project addresses several needs with one overall purpose—to enhance the beauty and shade within the heavily used Carmichael Park. The park is the host to huge special events (Summerfest, 4th of July, Citywide BBQ, Art in the Park, and more), concerts and summer movies, walking, jogging, in-line skating, tennis, pick-up frisbee games and tag football, outdoor fitness classes, playground use, reunions, family picnics, and more. The purpose of this all-inclusive tree-planting project will be accomplished with volunteer labor from high school senior students of all abilities. The seniors will be planting 30 deciduous and evergreen trees around the edges of the park and in highly visible locations. The city will use native Colorado tree species where considered appropriate due to the soils within the park site. All the trees surrounding the park will be planted in new locations, and a few will replace trees that died or were vandalized over the past twelve years. The evergreen trees will be a minimum of five-to-sixfeet tall, and the deciduous trees will be two-inch caliper in size. Brighton High School has a long-standing partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Since 2012, high school seniors have completed beautification projects instead of the traditional “Senior Ditch Day.” Payment for a portion of the trees is the only item being requested through this Adams County Open Space Grant.
Grant Award: $6,000
City of Commerce City - Fairfax Park Improvements
Fairfax Park received a major renovation in 2013 replacing shelters, improving ball fields, adding a futsal court, and creating a full loop perimeter trail. At that time, the playground was still in good condition, but now it is over 20 years old and needs to be replaced. Leveraging available funds for the playground replacement will allow the city to replace the vault toilet with a plumbed restroom and add a structure for the seasonal portable restroom as well. Repair and replacement are a priority for the city, and this project will ensure park users have the best possible experience at Fairfax Park.
Grant Award: $700,000
City of Commerce City - Stampede Park Improvements
The existing playground at Stampede Park is over 20 years old. New playground equipment will be installed in the same location, and the existing engineered wood fiber surface material will be replaced. The old playground will be removed, and the site will be prepared for installation of the new playground. The playground will be constructed, and the engineered wood fiber surface material will be added. There will continue to be two areas, a “tot lot” for younger children and an area suitable for five-to12-year-old children. Both areas will be ADA compliant and have inclusive elements. Currently, Stampede Park has a vault restroom without running water. This structure will be removed, and the site prepared for a precast structure with flush toilets and running water. The precast structure will be set on the prepared site, and water and sanitary taps will be connected. The restroom will stay open year-round and be heated in the winter. A timed lock automatically closes the structure each night. The existing irrigation system is over 20 years old and frequently requires repairs. A completely new irrigation system will be designed and installed. The new system will have water saving features such as precipitation monitoring and notifications to staff when a leak occurs to ensure water usage is as efficient as possible. All of Commerce City’s newer neighborhood parks include playgrounds, shelters, perimeter walks, and at least one additional amenity. Stampede Park was built before these standards were in place, and it does not have any additional amenities. Staff communication with neighborhood residents has determined that adding a basketball court would provide an activity for older youth who no longer use the playground. The basketball court will consist of a concrete slab with painted lines, hoops, and baskets.
Grant Award: $375,000
City of Northglenn - E.B. Raines Jr. Memorial Park Renovation Project
E.B. Raines Jr. Memorial Park is a heavily used, 22-acre regional park. The park includes a variety of amenities, but this project will focus on the four primary components below. The goal of each of these projects is to refresh and update several key areas within the park striving to increase accessibility, safety, and security and encouraging adequate use of the facilities. This project will consist of construction of these four primary components:
A. Complete renovation or replacement of existing restroom near playground
B. Sitting wall and pedestrian access trail replacement
C. Skatepark hardscape enhancements
D. New Parks & Recreation storage facility with restrooms (adjacent to east parking lot)
Grant Award: $1,350,000
City of Thornton - Shade the Day, Light the Night! Pavilions and Skatepark Lighting
This grant request will help Thornton improve physical comfort and extend usage hours at a number of parks through provision of shade pavilions and skatepark lighting. New shade pavilions are being installed at Community Park, Tuck Ditch Park, and the West Sprat Platte Archery Range. Thornton is also in the process of designing and installing lighting at three different skateparks; Slocum Memorial Skatepark, Carpenter Park Skatepark, and Trail Winds Skatepark. The shade projects will create more comfort on hot days, and the skatepark lighting will extend hours of use and enjoyment for the skateparks, especially during the winter months, by an estimated 736 hours.
Grant Award: $728,000
City of Thornton - Tree Canopy Restoration & EAB Mitigation
Thornton’s tree canopy and urban forest is an essential element to life in our community. As our residents indicated in our 2017 Parks and Open Space Master Plan, a variety of healthy trees throughout our community are vital to the overall sense of well-being and enjoyment. Our parks and open spaces provide the ideal canvas to create a vibrant and sustainable urban forest. Our current tree canopy has been decimated by the recent prolonged drought conditions, warmer-than-average temperatures, decreased air quality, and the lack of available water resources.
In addition to these environmental constraints, we have recently discovered the prevalence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the City of Thornton. This highly invasive and destructive pest continues to become increasingly more prevalent throughout the City of Thornton; Adams County; and, if left uncontrolled, the entire front range of Colorado. This project is intended to include tree removal, tree pruning, stump grinding, EAB treatments, and additional tree planting. This project will help to identify, remove, and replace the declining ash trees and replace them with new and more adaptable tree species. The work will take place throughout all Thornton’s Parks and Open Spaces in all five of the city’s forest districts. All work performed will be under the direction/guidance of the City Forester. The project will result in a more resilient tree canopy that will provide needed shade for residents, increased habitat for birds, insects, and small mammals and an increased sense of well-being for residents and visitors to the City of Thornton and Adams County.
Grant Award: $25,000
City of Westminster - Squires Park Renovation
This project will update one of the most popular parks in the city, home to one of the best mountain views in our system. Squires was built in 1985 and is 16.6 acres. The park abuts Rocky Mountain Elementary School on the west and south and offers a large picnic pavilion, playground, basketball court, detention – natural area, washrooms, a non-programmed ballfield, and soccer/open play areas. Planned improvements include a new adventure playground, accessibility upgrades, trails, replacement of a 30-year-old irrigation system, additional native vegetation, an overlook with interpretive signage, a small off-leash dog area, and additional shade shelters.
Grant Award: $900,000
City of Westminster - Implementation of McKay Lake Area Management Plan
The City of Westminster Open Space team is seeking funds for implementation of the McKay Lake Area Management Plan. The existing infrastructure is not sustainable as it does not account for increased usership and higher water levels. The proposed plan includes sustainable and accessible trails, raised trails for habitat connectivity and flood resistance, and an expanded trailhead and parking lot with restroom facilities and a picnic area. The support of Adams County funding will allow the city to take on the whole project in a cohesive approach that promotes sustainability and a positive user experience.
Grant Award: $1,000,000
Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District - Clear Creek Valley Park Phase V-Large Event Shelter(s)
The goal is to continue to meet the needs of the community at Clear Creek Valley Regional Park. In Phase V, we plan to add an event shelter (60’ x 90’) to host events such as farmers markets, large family gatherings, and other special events. We also want to add three additional shelters to allow for areas that can be used for programs as well as family events. One of the shelters would be located in the community garden area to allow for educational programming and a place for the community garden plot holders to have shade areas to get relief from the heat. The other two shelters would be located by the newly renovated sand volleyball and pickleball courts.
Grant Award: $360,000
Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District - Bicycle Park at Clear Creek Valley Park
The purpose of the project is to hire a firm to work with staff and key stakeholders to develop and present a concept plan and cost estimates for a new bicycle park at Clear Creek Valley Park. The concept plans will be used for the RFP project design stage and build out of the future bicycle park within Clear Creek Valley Park.
The original plans for Clear Creek Valley Park called for having a bicycle park located within the park. The Clear Creek Valley Park location is ideal and a convenient bicycle environment where people of all ages and abilities can safely and comfortably enjoy their bicycle experiences. This aligns with Hyland Hills 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan as well as the City of Arvada Parks Master Plan with improved opportunity for outdoor recreation.
Grant Award: $25,000
Town of Bennett - Civic Center Park Construction
Bennett Civic Center came to life in 2010 via comprehensive planning, when the Town of Bennett identified a new central area along Highway 79 that would become the core of Bennett. Civic Center Park is identified in the Town’s Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan as one of the most valuable assets for active and passive recreational amenities in the community. Phase I of Civic Center Park encompasses the veteran’s memorial, trailhead parking, community garden, and the Historic Charles Muegge House. Phase II of Civic Center is the subject of this grant. Phase II is the construction of a regional park which will include many active amenities, including playfields, playgrounds, and water activities.
Grant Award: $1,950,000
Town of Bennett - Art in the Parks
This project is to commission Some Girls and a Mural to paint one large mural in our Civic Center Park complex and five smaller murals at our other Adams County Parks. The murals will be of regional birds. The overarching theme for the murals is "Bennett a Place to Spread your Wings." This ties into other art in the community such as the "Nest" located at the Bennett Anythink Library. The large mural is located off of the Highway 79 Trail which is the backbone of the trail system. Near the large mural there will be directional signs encouraging the use of our trail system to see the other smaller murals.
Grant Award: $70,000
Town of Bennett - Trupp Park Concrete Improvements
Trupp Park is currently the primary community park in Bennett. It is the location for the annual Bennett Days Celebration and is the site for many outdoor sports including soccer, flag football, rugby, and kickball. This park includes a skate and bicycle playground, an ADA inclusive playground with rubber surfacing, a grandstand utilized for our summer party in the parks, and a perimeter walking trail. The focus of this grant is to make much needed concrete repairs to the walkways within the park as well as on the concrete pad within the skate park. The concrete in the skate park is over 10 years old and has developed several cracks due to settling and extreme weather conditions. The walkways throughout the park have also developed cracks, breaks, and significant gaps due to the same factors. The damaged concrete in both areas creates a significant safety concern for trips and falls for all users. Trupp Park is our most highly utilized park for all demographics; therefore, it is important these repairs are made.
Grant Award: $25,000
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Amphitheater Shade Structure
This project will build upon the extensive and ever-improving, public-use facilities at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) by creating a modern shade structure over the Visitor Center amphitheater. The Refuge is a major outdoor recreational facility in Adams County, and this project will enhance recreational opportunities and repeat visitation by providing much needed shade in this public space that connects to the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail.
Grant Award: $116,479.69
Spring 2023
On Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 , the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) awarded over $9.3 million in open space grants thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Funding for the spring 2023 grant cycle came from revenues from the second half of the 2022 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999, and in perpetuity in 2020.
“Locally based, long-term open space plans help communities protect the environment, improve quality of life, and preserve critical elements of our local heritage, culture, and economy,” said BoCC Chair O’Dorisio “We are delighted to be part of the process alongside the residents of Adams County of providing these valuable spaces, which offer comfort and support to people everywhere.”
When the Open Space Sales Tax was presented to voters in 1999, the ballot question called for the creation of an Open Space Advisory Board. This board recommends open space projects to the BoCC for funding. Grants are funded from 68% of the tax proceeds and are awarded twice a year.
The grant recipients for the Spring 2023 grant cycle are as follows:
Adams County – City View Park
Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts applied for View Park, in the Welby neighborhood of Unincorporated Adams County, has long been in need of renovation. Its limited facilities are in disrepair and suffer from frequent vandalism. The proposed project completely re-envisions the park and how it serves the community. These improvements will offer new opportunities for recreation and community enrichment including design elements such as new picnic areas, a walking trail and a new playground that will be a landmark of park. Additionally, environmental benefits and aesthetics of the site will be enhanced by reducing the amount of irrigated turf, using more native grasses along with better landscape plantings, including a pollinator garden. A boulder play area and new shade structures will also be provided. All of these together will be a major upgrade for this previously overlooked park and an important improvement for local residents. Adams County seeks funding to completely renovate City View Park, and provide this community with a new, significantly improved, community amenity.
Grant Award: $1,250,000.00
Adams County – Path to Wellness
The Path to Wellness is a series of connected park spaces proposed along the northeastern shore of Mann-Nyholt Lake focused on promoting awareness of overall wellbeing, from both a physical and mental health perspective. These spaces are intended to provide opportunities for sensory experiences, mindfulness, and reflection. New walking paths, planting areas including pollinator gardens, a labyrinth and future art installations will offer a unique way to enjoy the outdoors at Riverdale Regional Park that is completely different than anything else within Adam County's Park, OpenSpace and Trails system.
Grant Award: $375,000.00
Bennett Park and Recreation District – Roof Repair Grant 2023
A grant was requested to repair the leaky roof of Bennett Parks Recreation Centers. The roof required sealing in order to protect building and the contents such as exercise equipment, computers, working areas and printers. The Recreation center is one of the only local establishments that supports a broad range of health and wellness for the entire I-70 Corridor.
Grant Award: $58,000.00
Bennett Park and Recreation District – Pool Cover
A grant was requested for a pool cover at the recreation center. A pool cover will conserve energy and save costs.
Grant Award: $21,000.00
City of Brighton – Benedict Park Improvements
This Adams County Open Space grant is for “Benedict Park Improvements Project”. Brighton’s centrally located, community-loved park will revitalize the park experience and provide updated/upgraded amenities. The highly visible 21.83-acre Benedict Park project includes: two new playgrounds (one with sensory play plus other with an obstacle course), replacement of very old irrigation system (to provide water efficiency and less maintenance), of skate park, three new ADA accessible shelters, trail loop connection, safety lighting, identification signs, upgraded amenities, trees, and resodding of disturbed construction areas. This project revitalizes Benedict Park through highly needed construction improvements.
Grant Award: $1,750,000.00
City of Commerce City – Open Space Restoration
Commerce City began restoring the open space near Second Creek in 2019. The last three years have been very successful, and staff plans to continue this restoration in the Second Creek corridor, as well as expand it to the Prairie Gateway Open Space, an open space in the southern part of the city. Restoration includes weed mitigation, erosion control, revegetation with native species, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance. This project will ultimately result in healthier prairie grasslands, a higher quality habitat for wildlife, and a better experience for trail users in these spaces.
Grant Award: $260,000.00
City of Commerce City – Single Rider Golf Cart Purchase
Buffalo Run Golf Course, owned and operated by the City of Commerce City, hopes to purchase one (1) Solo Rider, single-rider golf cart for geared to disabled golfers. Single-rider golf carts are specifically designed for individuals with mobility disabilities; purchasing one of the specialized carts would provide opportunities for more people to participate in the game of golf. Buffalo Run hopes to provide a safe and fulfilling experience for individuals with disabilities in the community, improving their overall well-being and quality of life.
Funding this grant will help enhance the quality of life for Adams County residents and demonstrates a commitment to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities in the community.
Grant Award: $13,250.00
City of Northglenn – Fox Run Playground Project
This project includes a complete renovation of three playgrounds within the Fox Run subdivision. These three parks, known as North Park, Central Park, and South Park for their location within the neighborhood, are well used by community members. Aging equipment will be replaced with thematic, engaging new play structures. Since all three parks are within walking distance for many community members, it allows for each to have a distinctive audience. Currently, North Park and South Park playgrounds are designed for children between the ages of 2-5 years old and Central Park is designed for children between the ages of 5-12 years old. This playground renovation will upgrade these parks with new exciting and engaging features and add enhanced ADA accessible poured-in-place safety surfacing. Funding has been identified through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) disbursements to provide matching funds, but it isn’t enough to create a truly innovate play space that creates a sense of place for each of the three parks.
Grant Award: $250,000.00
City of Northglenn – Aquatic Adventure Cross Project
This project includes a complete renovation of three playgrounds within the Fox Run subdivision. These three parks, known as North Park, Central Park, and South Park for their location within the neighborhood, are well used by community members. Aging equipment will be replaced with thematic, engaging new play structures. Since all three parks are within walking distance for many community members, it allows for each to have a distinctive audience. Currently, North Park and South Park playgrounds are designed for children between the ages of 2-5 years old and Central Park is designed for children between the ages of 5-12 years old. This playground renovation will upgrade these parks with new exciting and engaging features and add enhanced Inaccessible poured-in-place safety surfacing. Funding has been identified through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) disbursements to provide matching funds, but it isn’t enough to create a truly innovate play space that creates a sense of place for each of the three parks.
Grant Award: $300,000.00
City of Northglenn – Trail Map and Signage Stewardship Project
The Trail Signage & Stewardship Project will improve utilization of the trail system by providing accurate maps, informative trail signage, and increased engagement with park rangers. Funding is needed to improve the design of the trail map, print pocket trail maps for the community, and design and install trailway finding signage at key areas around the city.
Currently, there is minimal signage on Northglenn’s trails. New trail maps and signage will encourage safety, community and regional connectivity, and trail usage. This will be paired with improved patrol of the trail system by our park ranger staff through the use of two additional electric bicycles, safety equipment and park ranger program materials. The seasonal park ranger program is a stewardship focused program that educates users, encourages safety and proper use of public resources, and serves as a true community liaison.
Grant Award: $25,000.00
City of Thornton – Playground and Nature Play Rehab & Installation
Thornton has 73 playgrounds, 39% of which are 20-years old and do not meet the design guidelines. Thornton recognizes the value of play and nature for healthy childhood development and is committed to connecting children to the outdoors. This grant will support playground rehabilitation at four aged playgrounds, will design and build two nature play area and will add nature and sensory play along trails and other playgrounds.
Grant Award: $1,227,500
City of Thornton – Niver Open Space Improvements Second Ask
This project will activate and enliven the 63 acre Niver Open Space area through the addition of alighted parking lot trailhead, an improved intersection at 88th Avenue and Conifer Street, site furniture, a climbing feature, nature playgrounds, trail upgrades, a rocky low -water crossing, a shade pavilion, plantings, and restoration of degraded vegetation. The city has an intergovernmental agreement with Mile High Flood District (MHFD) to coordinate design and construction. Thornton has been managing the design process and will be involved in implementation. Since the 2021 ADCO grant request, some of the costliest project scope has been removed, while the estimated costs have actually increased due to the requirements for new intersection infrastructure (88th and Conifer Road), as well as due to inflation. The streamlined project scope will achieve the project goals, while preserving more of the open space in its natural condition.
Grant Award: $910,000
City of Thornton – Ballfield Backstops & Baselines
Building upon the Parks and Open Space Master Plan in 2017, the City of Thornton outlined a ten-year plan to repair and replace aging ballfield infrastructure at27 of its 33 ballfields. Fencing and wood planks used for backstops, dugouts, baselines, and outfields had been stretched, bent, rotted, broken, and dilapidated by repeatedly being hit, climbed, and otherwise battered in the course of their everyday use. Resulting gaps in the fencing poses increased risks of injury for players and onlookers, and has given the parks an unkempt appearance, encouraging misuse and vandalism. Thornton Parks and Recreation researched best practices and identified opportunities to enhance the durability of ballfield facilities by using a thicker gauge fence fabric, reinforcing the fabric with an added crossbar, and replacing painted natural wood with heavy-duty composite backboards.
These improvements will help to level the proverbial playing field for Thornton’s diverse population. Representing three of the City’s four Wards, the proposed 2023 ballpark improvements will serve populations with significant risk for chronic illnesses including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. All four parks are in neighborhoods with high proportions of racial/ethnic minorities and non-English speakers. Two of the parks (McAllister and Yorkborough) have high proportions of disabilities, unemployment, and low educational attainment (CDPHE Community Health Equity Map 2015-2019). Research indicates a strong correlation between outdoor play and a wide range of benefits to children’s physical, social and emotional health (LoBue 2021). Investing in the quality of public recreational amenities provides better outdoor play options for Thornton families and can help to combat cyclical poverty and disease.
This project entails renovating five ballfields at four ballpark locations including three elementary schools and one community park.
Grant Award: $25,000
City of Westminster – Open Space Utility Vehicle Acquisition
The Open Space Division at the City of Westminster is exploring the option of buying two new UTVs to support land management and maintenance operations in our 3,800+ acres of open space. The division currently has two Kawasaki Mules that are both over 10 years old and need replacement. Both mules are operating with old technology and do not run at the most efficient level. They also have parts that need constant maintenance throughout the year due to their age. Two new UTVs would allow open space staff to operate at a safer and more efficient standard when conducting management operations in the open space. The primary utilization of the UTV’s will be noxious weed management. Noxious weed management is a key component of the divisions ongoing effort to restore the City’s open space lands to healthy, native short-grass prairie ecosystems. Staff employs integrated pest management (IPM)strategies to meet this ecosystem goal. UTVs are vital in carrying out these methods but are particularly important for chemical applications. They are some of the safest and most efficient vehicles to apply chemicals on uneven terrain, like the kind found in Westminster’s open space. Both UTVs will carry100-gallon spray tanks that have a boom-less nozzle spray attachment and a fixed-boom spray attachment, allowing us to efficiently cover large open space areas for treatment while minimizing disturbance to native landscapes.
Grant Award: $25,000
Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District – Hyland Hills Sports Complex – Phase 1 Renovation Project
The mini grant that Hyland Hills was awarded to acquire design and concept plans, gave Hyland Hills a vision of how the Hyland Hills Sports Complex should be improved. The purpose of the drainage, irrigation and playground & shelter placement is to activate those plans and concepts. The fields are in poor condition and many times unplayable. The existing playground is located in the middle of the parking lot, which is a safety concern, would be removed and replaced with a new accessible playground structure located in the former batting cage area. There would be three to five shelters adjacent to the future playground.
Grant Award: $1,866,240
Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District – Carroll Butts Park Master Plan
The purpose of this project is to plan and design improvements to Carroll Butts Park. This park is very popular for local residents to recreate on the tennis court, playground and sports fields. The walking paths throughout the park are also heavily used by residents. The park is due for an update as many amenities are beyond their typical lifespan. Proposed improvements would also explore adding recreational amenities to further meet the needs of the community. Proposed amenities could potentially include pickleball courts, more walking paths, more picnic shelters, and a reimagined playground area. In addition, a major component of this project is water conservation. A new irrigation storage pond for more sustainable water needs is proposed as part of this project in addition to converting manicured turf areas to more natural, low maintenance turf
Grant Award: $25,000
Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership, Inc. – SCRGP Environmental Education (Spark.Inspire.Embrace)
The Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership uses the 13.1 miles of the Sand Creek Regional Greenway as an outdoor classroom for historically underserved youth, families, and adults living in the northeast metro Denver area. Funding from the grant will support SCRGP’s Spark.Inspire.Embrace. environmental education program, which offers equitable, experiential, and hands-on environmental education for folks of all ages and abilities living near the Sand Creek Greenway. Using nature as the catalyst, SCRGP’s programs help to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Grant Award: $116,129.60
Strasburg Metro Parks and Recreation District – Wolf Creek Run Athletic Fields Renovation
The Wolf Creek Run Athletic Fields Renovation project will nearly double the athletic facilities available for the citizens of Adams County, in Strasburg. This project will rehabilitate an existing sports complex and provide immediate benefits at a fraction of the price that it would take to build a brand-new facility. There is a huge need for additional field space as a result of the growing community and the demand for youth sports. What makes this project especially attractive is that the groundwork is already complete. This will be the first youth soccer field in Strasburg, located in Adams County.
Grant Award: $442,250
Town of Bennett – Trupp Park Phase VI
With support from Adams County Open Space the Town has made significant and much needed improvements to Trupp Park over the last seven years. These improvements have included a new improved drainage, a new playground and skate and bicycle playground, new play field, a new grandstand and repaired trails. Trupp Park is currently identified as the Towns "community park" making it one of the Town's most highly utilized amenities. For this phase of the project the primary improvements will be adding additional lighting, expanding the popular skate park, and finalizing the landscaping.
Grant Award: 225,000
Town of Bennett – Highway 79 Permanent Trail Construction
The trail that runs along Highway 79 through Bennett was installed as a temporary asphalt trail in 2008 by the developers responsible for the King Soopers in Bennett Market Place. This trail has quickly become the backbone of the Town's Adams County Trail system as it connects to many of the Town business districts, trails and parks. At this time the trail is in serious disrepair as the useful life of 10 years or less has expired. The Town replaced a portion of the trail in 2020 but there is still an asphalt portion that needs to be replaced. The replacement will be 8-foot-wide concrete trail from just past Muegge Way to North Marketplace.
Grant Award: 140,000
Town of Bennett – Open Space Event Bleachers
The Town of Bennett host many free outdoor events for the community. These events primarily take place in Trupp Park, but we have also hosted events at the Historic Charles Muegge House, the Corridor of Honor and the Mount View Cemetery. The events include Party in the Park, Veterans Day Celebrations, BBQ and more. The largest event we host is Bennett Days, which typically includes a free bull riding event and a concert. In years past we have rented bleachers for these events. However, the events have grown in popularity and the cost to rent a sufficient of bleachers has become a burden our budget which has led to us having to consider charging a fee for the events. Therefore, we are hopeful to purchase our own portable bleachers that can be moved to different Adams County Open Space events to accommodate our attendees.
Grant Award: 25,000
From the Policies and Procedures
Annual Report: An annual report describing projects funded with the open space funds will be made available to the residents of Adams County annually. The county will compile information based upon reporting they receive from each jurisdiction describing how 30% Share back funds were used. The county will also compile a list of projects funded in the past year, including a brief description of each project and the amount of funding awarded).
