The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners on July 22 approved the county’s 2025 open‑space grant awards, totaling $4,825,280, and approved funding that includes the City of Littleton’s Jackass Hill Park project with the understanding the city will submit a project modification to the open‑spaces department for review.

What was before the board: The Open Space Grant program received 11 applications requesting $4,825,280; applicants committed substantial matching funds (staff cited nearly $12.7 million in local matches). The county’s evaluation team recommended funding all eight standard grants, two small grants and one planning grant. The Open Space and Trails Advisory Board (OSTAB) recommended funding 10 of the 11 projects and did not recommend the City of Littleton’s Jackass Hill project, citing concerns about added park features, including increased concrete paths.

Public comment and dispute: Because OSTAB and the evaluation team issued differing recommendations, the board heard extended public comment. Littleton Councilwoman Pam Grove and other city and South Suburban Park and Recreation District officials urged approval of the revised Jackass Hill plan; neighboring residents including Yvonne Holiday and Mark Flink urged caution and emphasized preferences for a natural look and for written commitments to buffer setbacks, screening, and trail locations. Several speakers, including South Suburban Parks and Recreation District chair Pam Eller and Littleton council members, described a revised plan that removed many of the previously proposed features and said that city and district staff had worked with neighbors on changes.

Commissioner discussion and vote: The board considered three options and adopted alternative motion number 1: fund all 11 projects, including the Littleton Jackass Hill project, “with the understanding that the City of Littleton intends to submit a request for project modification to open spaces” (motion by Commissioner Warren Gully; seconded by Commissioner Campbell). The motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: Staff said awarding grants would yield outcomes such as renovated playgrounds, turf reduction projects, fishing docks, improved sports fields, interpretive signage and a planning project that together serve multiple Arapahoe County communities. The differences between the evaluation panel and OSTAB reflected local concerns about process, community input and the final design for Jackass Hill Park.

Clarifying details and next steps: Staff said the grant awards include eight standard grants (up to $600,000), two small grants (up to $150,000) and one planning grant. The board asked that the City of Littleton follow the open‑space project modification procedures if it seeks to modify the Jackass Hill design; if Littleton chooses not to modify the project the city could reapply in a future grant cycle. Commissioners and applicants said they will continue community conversations and that final project plans will return to the open‑spaces department for approval under county procedures.

The board’s vote authorizes staff to proceed with awards consistent with the adopted ranking sheet and to work with applicants on required next steps and project modifications.