The Adams County Board of Commissioners awarded over $7 million in open space grants for 16 projects in public hearing on Nov. 17, 2010. Funding for this grant cycle came from 2010 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax revenues. The Open Space Sales Tax was passed by Adams County voters in 1999. The ballot question called for the creation of a citizen Open Space Advisory Board (OSAB) to recommend open space projects to the commissioners for funding. Grants are awarded twice a year using 68 percent of the tax proceeds."The Open Space Sales Tax is an essential tool for providing Adams County municipalities and qualified organizations with public parks and recreation amenities," said Chairman Alice J. Nichol. "There was a wonderful mix of projects in this grant cycle, and we are proud to provide funding for three land acquisitions, park and open space development projects benefitting 160 acres of land, two environmental education efforts, two planning efforts and enhancements to two veterans memorials."
Adams County's Open Space Advisory Board (OSAB) reviewed 19 grant applications, including nine passive grant applications and 10 active grant applications. Of the $10,695,359 requested for this grant cycle, the OSAB recommended the commissioners award $6,877,084. The commissioners awarded $7,082,084 in grants to the following projects:
* Adams County: Adams County Government Center Natural Park, $501,674
* Adams County: Adams County Open Space Master Plan, $50,000
* Adams County: Riverdale Bluffs Open Space, $1,800,000
* City of Aurora: Reducing Coyote Conflict in Adams County, Coyote Behavior and Human Dimensions Research, $57,048
* City of Aurora: Spencer Garrett Park Renovation, $100,000
* Town of Bennett: Community Center Recreation Enhancement Project, $65,545
* City of Brighton: 144th Ave. Farmland Preservation, $1,710,500
* City of Brighton: Campbell Park Construction Project, $500,000
* City of Commerce City: Northern Range Loop Trail Planning, $187,500
* City of Commerce City: Veterans Memorial Renovation, $35,000
* Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District: Clear Creek Valley Park Site Addition, $110,000
* Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory: Environmental Education Programs, $55,000
* City of Thornton: Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center Community Park Improvements, $1,500,000
* City of Thornton: Thornton Trail Winds Park & Open Space Skatepark, $150,000
* Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation: Thornton Veterans Memorial, $54,817
* City of Westminster: Swim and Fitness Locker Room Renovation, $205,000
"One focus of the Open Space Sales Tax is land acquisition, and in this grant cycle we had the opportunity to preserve 226 acres of open space, 77 acres of farmland and 1 acre of land that will be transformed into a future regional park in this grant cycle," said Commissioner W. R. "Skip" Fischer. "We were able strengthen this focus by funding two planning efforts for open space and trails that will create a foundation for future acquisitions and improvements."
"Adams County residents will certainly benefit from the new projects we are helping to fund including a skatepark, a pop-jet water feature at an existing pool, a community garden and paddle boats," said Commissioner Larry W. Pace. "In addition, several new playgrounds and athletic fields will be created with the aid of Open Space Sales Tax funds. We are delighted to be able to use Open Space Sales Tax Funds to support projects that will appeal to a wide variety of county residents and visitors."
