Douglas County proclaims parks appreciation month, approves $7.5M grants to Parker and Lone Tree

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 9 officially recognized September as “Parks, Trails, Historic Property and Open Space Appreciation Month” and approved two $7,500,000 parks funding agreements to help build Salisbury Park North in the Town of Parker and High Note Regional Park in the City of Lone Tree.

The recognition honors three decades of a voter-approved parks, trails, historic resources and open space sales and use tax (a dedicated 0.17% sales tax) and coincided with speeches from open-space and parks volunteers, advisory board chairs and local mayors. County staff and volunteers highlighted land acquisitions, trail expansion and historic preservation enabled by the fund.

Dan Derts, Douglas County open space director, told commissioners the resolution marks “30 years of voter supported Parks, Trails, Historic Resources, and Open Space Fund” and summarized accomplishments funded by the tax, including acquisition and upkeep of open-space properties and investments in trails and fields. Jay Sage, chair of the Open Space Advisory Board, and Amanda Budimalia, chair of the Parks Advisory Board, detailed preserved properties and recent capital investments; Chris Schutzenberger, chair of the Historic Preservation Board, described state grant matches leveraged with county funds.

On project approvals, Luke Thornton of county community development presented the Town of Parker’s application for Salisbury Park North. Parker requested $8,240,725; the town will cover costs above the county’s $7,500,000 contribution and has already set aside funds for design and construction phases. Mayor Josh Rivero described planned facilities including four natural-grass baseball/softball fields, two lighted synthetic turf multiuse fields, a pump track, up to 21 pickleball courts, tennis courts and a large event lawn with a band shell. The town estimated the full build-out at roughly $17.6 million beyond the county contribution.

For the City of Lone Tree, Luke Thornton said the city requested $88,000,000 for phase 1 of High Note Regional Park; Lone Tree and partners have identified matching funds (presented totals included about $23,580,000 from city and partners plus a $1,000,000 contribution from a regional partner and $580,000 from Great Outdoors Colorado). Mayor Marissa Harmon said the park will include athletic fields, an inclusive “community swing” gathering area, a centrally located playground and other amenities designed to serve regional tournaments, youth sport programming and community events.

Each funding agreement passed on a voice vote with the board signaling “aye.” The board also adopted the recognition resolution unanimously.

The board paused for photos and public thanks to volunteers and backers of the sales-tax program. Commissioners repeatedly credited volunteers and past ballot measures for preserving tens of thousands of acres and building county park infrastructure over three decades.

Ending: The county’s parks, open-space and historic preservation teams will advance the funded phases with their municipal partners; Parker and Lone Tree representatives said they will move toward groundbreakings and will return for required project coordination and any subsequent approvals.