Englewood parks commission approves 2026–2030 capital projects budget

The Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission approved the city's capital projects budget for 2026 through 2030 during its public meeting, with commissioners voting to move the multi-year plan on to the finance department for processing.

The vote advances a five-year capital project fund that the department uses to sequence park, recreation and facility projects and to match outside grants and other funding. Director Christina Underhill and Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Brad Anderson presented the plan and a line-by-line explanation of the major fund sources underlying the budget.

The nut of the plan is that it layers several dedicated funds: the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF), which is lottery-derived state funding for parks and recreation; the city's Open Space Fund, supported by an Arapahoe County half-cent sales tax; a Public Improvement Fund for pavement and parking-lot upkeep; the Golf Course enterprise capital fund; and smaller capital lines such as Art in Public Places and emerald ash borer mitigation. Anderson said the 2025 CTF distribution was about $592,000 and that CTF and open-space monies can roll between years to support larger projects.

Brad Anderson told the commission that the capital budget must be approved by the commission so it can be submitted to finance by the end of the next business day. Anderson and other staff explained that some projects will be matched with grants and that matching requirements constrain how much of grant awards must be covered locally.

Commissioners heard a separate staff update that the city expects to sell bonds in April and that the bond sale will provide the capital proceeds that will fund many of the projects described in the budget. Staff said the city received a Standard & Poor's rating of double-A-plus on the bond issuance, which staff said will lower borrowing costs. Staff said an oversight committee will meet at the end of the month to begin project-level oversight, and that Cushing Park is expected to be the first site to enter construction once funds and contracts are in place.

Commission discussion touched on the limits and allowable uses of CTF and open-space funds (staff noted some staffing and maintenance uses are eligible) and on contingency planning if material costs rise during construction. Staff said they have three years to spend 85% of the $41,500,000 bond and that interest earnings on invested bond proceeds could help absorb some cost increases; they also said design teams will be asked to calibrate projects if required.

After questions, a commissioner moved to approve the 2026'2030 capital projects budget. The commission approved the motion. Staff will forward the approved budget to the finance department and proceed with contract and grant timelines described at the meeting.

Votes at the meeting were conducted by voice roll call; commissioners recorded in attendance at the meeting approved the motion.

ACTIONS: The commission approved the capital projects budget for 2026'2030 and approved sending the plan to finance for the next steps.