The City of Centennial Open Space Advisory Board on Tuesday recommended that city council approve funding for two park improvement projects using Arapahoe County share‑back funds: full funding for Trails Park and Recreation District’s Village Park plumbed restroom and partial funding for South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s Heritage Village Park improvements.

City planner Stephanie Roren said the eligible partner grant process splits Arapahoe County funds into three levels and that OSAB’s role is to recommend level‑3 partner projects to city council. "Tonight we are going to be looking through the 2026 eligible partner projects," she said, outlining the application, review and reimbursement process.

The board recommended fully funding Trails Park and Recreation District’s construction of a two‑stall, year‑round plumbed restroom with an integrated water fountain and ADA‑compliant features. The project site is adjacent to the Piney Creek regional trail and is intended to serve nearby neighborhoods, youth soccer programs that rent fields and regional trail users. The district requested city funding after prior 2024 planning and ADA access work; the total project cost was presented as roughly $577,000 with a required applicant match. The board approved a funding recommendation of $432,855 to be forwarded to city council.

The Trails Park and Recreation District representative said the project team has consulted with the adjacent landowner to secure easements for a maintenance road and utility connections and described the chosen precast restroom design as weather‑resistant and durable. On managing cost risk, the applicant said, "We don't go out for grants if we're tight on funds," explaining the district builds budgets that account for potential overruns and signs agreements to cover excess costs.

The board also recommended partial funding for South Suburban Parks and Recreation District’s Heritage Village Park improvement project, which would replace an aging tot lot with ADA‑compliant poured‑in‑place surfacing, a larger shade pavilion, new site furnishings and improved neighborhood trail connections. South Suburban presented the project as an 8.06‑acre neighborhood park adjacent to Lois Lenski Elementary School and said the full estimated project cost is $1,250,000. "We requested a grant of 625,000 or 50% of the cost," said Melissa Reesnacker, interim director of planning, design and construction for South Suburban Parks and Recreation; OSAB recommended a partial award of $500,096 (the remaining level‑3 funds available).

Board members asked about design details, diaper changing stations and tree replacements; Melissa Reesnacker said final design details (including tree counts and exact playground equipment) will be refined through an online survey, public open house and the design consultant process this summer and fall. She told the board her agency will submit a higher budget request to its board to cover the shortfall and said the agency does not plan to reduce the core elements of the project.

Staff noted the level‑3 grant bucket for eligible partner projects totaled $932,951 this year and that the five applications received requested roughly $1.67 million in total. In addition to the two recommended projects, the applications included requests from the High Line Canal Conservancy for a Dry Creek master plan and two additional South Suburban requests (Palos Verdes construction and Medina Park planning); those three requests were not funded this cycle but remain in staff's queue for future consideration.

Votes at a glance: Trails Park and Recreation District — Village Park plumbed restroom improvements; recommended funding $432,855; motion passed unanimously (7‑0). South Suburban Parks and Recreation — Heritage Village Park improvements; recommended partial funding $500,096; motion passed unanimously (7‑0).

Next steps: OSAB's recommendations are advisory. City council will review the funding recommendations during the budget process this fall; if council approves, each award recipient will enter into a funding agreement with the city. Staff said projects are expected to be completed within a two‑year window unless extensions are requested and approved.