Centennial Receives $1.7M Grant Applications for Trails and Recreation Enhancements

The Centennial City Open Space Advisory Board meeting on June 24, 2025, focused on funding recommendations for local park and recreation projects. The meeting highlighted the importance of aligning these projects with the city’s trails and recreation plan, emphasizing the need for universal design features and various recreational amenities to serve a diverse range of users.

During the 2025 application period, the city received five grant applications totaling nearly $1.7 million. Notable submissions included one from the High Line Canal Conservancy, one from the Trails Park and Recreation District, and three from the South Suburban Park and Recreation District. The board recommended fully funding one project and partially funding another. Specifically, they proposed full funding for restroom improvements at Village Park, submitted by the Trails Park and Recreation District, and partial funding for an improvement project at Heritage Village Park from the South Suburban Park and Recreation District.

The meeting featured presentations from key representatives, including De La Cerro, the executive director of the Trails Park and Recreation District, and Melissa Reese Thacker, the interim director of planning, design, and construction for the South Suburban Park and Recreation District. De La Cerro discussed the recent rebranding of the Trails Park and Recreation District, which was previously known as the Arapahoe Park and Recreation District, to clarify its identity as an independent organization.

The discussions underscored the city’s commitment to enhancing public recreational facilities and ensuring they meet the needs of all community members. The board's recommendations will be crucial in advancing these projects and improving the overall quality of parks and recreational spaces in Centennial.