AURORA | Aurora will be receiving $14.2 million in grants and awards from Arapahoe County for open space projects, county officials announced this week.
Arapahoe County is awarding 12 county communities grants and awards totaling $21 million altogether.
“Each of these funded projects supports Arapahoe County’s mission to build stronger, healthier communities and enhance residents’ quality of life,” Arapahoe County said in a statement.
Arapahoe County presented the awards and grants Thursday as part of its 2025 Shareback and Open Space Grants Program.
Aurora received $600,000 for a Side Creek Park renovation, which includes a new playground, upgraded sports courts, turf conversion for water conservation and new picnic areas.
The city also received $600,000 for the Utah Park tennis courts and lighting replacements, which include a complete rebuild of nine courts with new lighting, seating, fencing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements.
Finally, the city will receive an additional $13 million in shareback funds for use in open space and parks projects across the city.
Fifty percent of the annual Open Space Sales and Use Tax revenue is distributed directly back to participating cities and towns across the county through the Shareback program,” the statement said.
Funds are allocated according to population and are designed to contribute to the quality of life and overall health of county residents via trail, playground and park improvement projects.”
The Board of County Commissioners also awarded $4.8 million in grants to 11 projects across Arapahoe County separately from the Shareback funds, according to the statement.
“Each year, 12% of the county’s tax revenue is dedicated to the Open Space Grant Program,” the statement said. “The county’s investment in these projects is leveraged by more than $12.7 million in matching funds provided by the grant recipients.”