Commissioners Award $10.6 Million in Open Space Grants

Today, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) awarded more than $10.6 million in open space grants for 20 projects thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Funding for this grant cycle came from revenues from the first half of the 2019 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999.

This year, the Adams County Open Space Sales Tax is celebrating 20 years. Over these years, more than 538 projects have received funding, totaling more than $212 million dollars invested into parks and open space across Adams County.

The Open Space Advisory Board reviewed 20 grant applications this grant cycle, recommending the BOCC to approve full funding for all applications. Today, 20 project grants totaling $10,624,517 were awarded.

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 funding awarded today will support the acquisition of three properties totaling 228 acres, several trail connections, and the renovation of several parks throughout the county,” said BOCC Chair Steve O’Dorisio.

This year, the Adams County Open Space Sales Tax is celebrating 20 years. Over these years, more than 538 projects have received funding, totaling more than $212 million invested into parks and open space across Adams County.

The grant recipients are as follows:

Mini Grant: Twin Lakes Park Mile High Youth Corps Russian Olive Tree Removal – Adams County
Project Summary: This project proposes to hire the Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC): Sawyer Crew to aid in the removal of the invasive Russian Olive on county open space property. This grant will help fund the use of the MHYC crew to cut the stumps and treat them with herbicide. Twin Lakes Park is located at 200 West 70^th Avenue.  
Grant Award: $5,000

Mini Grant: High School Seniors Beautification Project at Colorado Park – City of Brighton
Project Summary: This project will utilize senior high school volunteers to plant 30 trees at Colorado Park along the new trail. The trees will provide shade for park and trail users. Colorado Park is located at 265 Miller Avenue.
Grant Award: $5,000

Mini Grant: Blender Bikes – City of Northglenn
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding for the purchase of two blender bikes to utilize as an outreach and engagement tool at community events. Participants ride the bike for approximately 30 seconds to a minute to blend a healthy drink while in use. The bikes will be used at community events throughout the city.
Grant Award: $2,160

Mini Grant: Community Garden in Brothers Four Park – Town of Bennett
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding for four raised garden beds for the community at the Brothers Four Park. With many residents nearby, this will provide the opportunity for outdoor gardening space. Brothers Four Park is located at the intersection of Kiowa Street and Ash Street.
Grant Award: $5,000

Kiowa Creek Property Acquisition – Adams County
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding to acquire the Kiowa Creek property, located east of the Town of Bennett. Adams County and the Town of Bennett will partner in the acquisition to preserve the 146 acres of riparian and forested habitats. The Kiowa Creek property is located at Oak Park Drive and Old Victory Road. 
Grant Award: $381,520

Project Facelift – Bennett Park & Recreation District
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for the Bennett Park & Recreation District. Improvements include renovations to the outdoor stucco, floor reconstruction within the exercise room, repair and paint interior stucco, repaint the conference rooms, sand filter replacement for three pools, and repairs to the women’s sauna. The Bennett Park & Recreation District is located at 455 South 1^st Street.
Grant Award: $17,000

Morimitsu Farm Acquisition – City of Brighton
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding to acquire and preserve the Morimitsu Farm property. This is a 78.9-acre property and includes 54 shares of Fulton Ditch water. The property is located within the Historic Splendid Valley area, which is an area of high priority for farmland conservation. The Morimitsu Farm is located at 14201 Sable Boulevard.  
Grant Award: $1,750,000     

Speer Canal Trail – City of Brighton
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for new trail access adjacent to the canal in northeastern Brighton. The project will create 1.56 miles of 10-foot wide concrete trail, dog pick-up stations, benches, and directional signage along the trail. The trail will be located at East Bridge Street and Golden Eagle Parkway.
Grant Award: $322,358

Commerce City Master Planning Efforts – City of Commerce City
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for two master planning efforts. The first master plan would consolidate and update the four existing master plans guiding parks, recreation, and golf into one comprehensive plan. The second planning effort would create a master plan for the incomplete portion of the Bison Ridge Recreation Center site. The new recreation center was completed in 2018, but the remaining six acres are still available for development. This master plan would focus on feedback from staff and residents to determine the best use of the space. The Bison Ridge Recreation Center is located at 13905 East 112^th Avenue.
Grant Award: $100,000        

Ragweed Draw Ball Fields – City of Commerce City
Project Summary: This project will focus on creating additional ball fields in the northern part of Commerce City. Within the River Run subdivision, a multi-use field will be converted into two ball fields that allows the outfield to continue as multi-use space and provide additional practice space closer to home for many residents. The Ragweed Draw Ball Fields will be located at 11393 River Run Parkway.
Grant Award: $77,500

Ruston Park Phase A – City of Federal Heights
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for park improvements at Ruston Park, which is the main recreation area for city residents along the central and northern end of town. Enhancements include the addition of riparian vegetation, a viewing area, and educational amenities for the wetlands area. A new parking lot will provide access to the existing playground and trails, along with ADA access. Ruston Park is located at 9901 Zuni Street.
Grant Award: $1,800,000

Northglenn Civic Campus Outdoor Recreation Improvements – City of Northglenn
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for a new outdoor space which will be located at the redeveloped Northglenn Civic Campus. Improvements for the outdoor space include a lawn area, veteran’s memorial plaza, patios, landscaping, multi-use trails, and trail connections. The overall redevelopment will include a new recreation center, senior center, and theater. Northglenn Civic Campus is located at 11701 Community Center Drive.
Grant Award: $1,500,000

Community Park Restrooms – City of Thornton
Project Summary: This grant will fund the design and construction of a restroom facility at Community Park. Community Park is highly utilized with recreational opportunities for swimming, a skate park, multi-purpose fields, courts, playgrounds, and trails. Community Park is located at 2141 East 95^th Avenue. 
Grant Award: $411,000        

Thornton 2019 Trail Connections – City of Thornton
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for design and construction of multi-purpose trails, missing link connections, and concrete replacement in parks. The project also includes design for a pedestrian underpass on Big Dry Creek Regional Trail, trail replacement to 10-foot wide regional standards, and more than 1.77 miles of new trail, including lighting and site furniture.
Grant Award: $1,830,479     

Heron Pond/Heller Open Space Site Improvements – Denver Parks & Recreation (Sponsored by Adams County)
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for improvements at Heron Pond/Heller Open Space in Adams County. Trail connections, wildlife viewing area, interpretive signage, environmental education space, and two park access points are included in the improvements. Heron Pond/Heller Open Space is located at 800 East 54^th Avenue.
Grant Award: $750,000

Carl Park Community Center ADA Trail Project (Additional Funding) – Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District
Project Summary: This project includes additional funding for the construction of an ADA-accessible trail from the Hyland Hills Carl Park Community Center and extending 1,000 feet to a loop trail that will connect to Adams County Clear Creek Trail. This trail link will provide improved access for the existing neighborhoods to recreational amenities, including the Clear Creek Trail network. The Carl Park Community Center is located at 5401 Meade Street.
Grant Award: $249,500

Bell Roth Park Irrigation Renovation Project (Additional Funding) – Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District
Project Summary: This grant will fund renovations to the irrigation system at Bell Roth Park. The project includes replacement of the irrigation system with a new pump house, a more efficient control system, new transport piping, a new irrigation distribution system, and replacement of the lake spillway discharge pipe. Bell Roth Park is located at 1498 Milky Way.
Grant Award: $198,000

Wagner Street Land Acquisition – Strasburg Metro Parks & Recreation District
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for the acquisition of a 3.79-acre site located adjacent to the School District campus and the Recreation District facilities. Acquisition of the site allows for the establishment of a “recreational hub” within Strasburg. The property is located at 1866 Wagner Street.
Grant Award: $200,000

Trupp Park Phase IV (Amenity Improvements) – Town of Bennett
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support for Phase IV at Trupp Park. The project includes drainage improvements, improved irrigation at the multi-use play fields, solar lighting, a butterfly garden, and filling the skate bowl to create a flat viewing area. Trupp Park is located at 105 West Palmer Avenue.
Grant Award: $120,000

Purple Pipe-Sustainable Parks and Open Space Irrigation – Town of Bennett
Project Summary: This grant will provide funding support to convert the irrigation of parks and open space within the Town of Bennett to reclaimed water usage. The project will focus on converting the irrigation for Trupp Park, Centennial Park, Civic Center Park, Field of Dreams, and the Paul Reid Field.
Grant Award: $900,000