Great Outdoors Colorado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 12/8/23

Contacts:
Diane Metzger, GOCO Communications Manager
303.226.4507, dmetzger@goco.org

GOCO board awards $3.1M in grants for parks and land stewardship

DENVER– Today the GOCO board awarded a total of $3,123,592 in grants to five projects across the state as part of GOCO’s community impact and stewardship impact base programs.

Together, the projects will:

  • Revitalize parks in Littleton and Otis to become community assets supporting health and well-being and for diverse user groups.
  • Help the Town of Eads construct a new town pool and gathering place that will reflect community desires and boost the local economy.
  • Expand critical land stewardship efforts led by Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers serving Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, and Pitkin counties.

Community Impact

GOCO’s Community Impact program develops and revitalizes parks, trails, school yards, fairgrounds, environmental education facilities, and other outdoor projects that enhance a community’s quality of life and access to the outdoors.

Reynolds Landing Park, $950,000 to the City of Littleton

The City of Littleton will transform Reynolds Landing Park on the South Platte River into a community asset. The City plans to incorporate low flow pools and other wave features, separate cyclists from pedestrians, and improve accessibility. The park will serve diverse user groups, enhance regional trail access, improve river health, and create unique outdoor experiences that will contribute to the community’s quality of life. This project is a collaboration between Mile High Flood Control District, South Suburban Parks and Recreation, Arapahoe County Open Space, Colorado Water Conservation Board, South Platte Working Group, and a local private donor.

Otis Park Improvements, $773,592 to the Town of Otis

The Town of Otis will revitalize its central community gathering space and park. The Town’s park is a vital space for social gatherings, events, and recreational activities. The project addresses safety concerns associated with the existing playground, baseball field, and other amenities. Funding will support an improved baseball field, accessible equipment and poured-in-place surfacing, a walking trail with exercise stations, new restrooms, a relocated basketball court, shade, and more. These improvements will create a vibrant and accessible shared space that supports a wide range of multi-generational activities and promotes user health and well-being.

A Pool to Build & Strengthen Our Rural Community, $600,000 to the Town of Eads

The Town of Eads will construct a new pool, replacing an old one that closed in 2019 after six decades of service. In addition to the pool, the $2.5 million-project will include picnic areas, restrooms, shower facilities, shaded multi-use areas for outdoor events, and improved access to the town's sole park and playground. Plans are the result of extensive community engagement including surveys, petitions, and outreach. Serving both residents and visitors, the pool is expected to bolster tourism and support economic development while meeting health and fitness needs.

Marshall Fire Recovery at Enclave & Sunflower Parks, $500,000 to the City of Louisville

The City of Louisville will reimagine and rebuild Enclave and Sunflower Parks, which were heavily damaged by the Marshall Fire in December 2021. Over the last 18 months, the City of Louisville Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Department assessed damage across city facilities and gathered community feedback. Both parks will be built to enhance outdoor recreation, and have a renewed focus on creating a vibrant gathering space. Enclave park will feature landscape improvements, a play structure, and a designated area for social gatherings in addition to stormwater management upgrades. Sunflower Park will provide a space for unstructured nature play and reflection and feature newly planted trees and accessibility improvements.

Stewardship Impact

GOCO’s Stewardship Impact program supports collaborative stewardship work that demonstrates meaningful improvements to ecological and recreational amenities.

Advancing Community-Powered Stewardship in Western Colorado, $300,000 to Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers

Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) will advance stewardship work in its four-county service area covering Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, and Pitkin counties. RFOV plans to expand volunteer engagement and enhance the skills of RFOV staff, volunteers, and partners. GOCO’s investment will provide two years of funding to support community projects, group projects, youth initiatives, the Adopt-a-Trail program, and professional training. RFOV’s model combines these volunteer programs with a skilled staff to  respond to the diverse stewardship and maintenance needs of public lands. In addition, the funding will help RFOV develop a comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plan to engage underrepresented communities.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created when voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1992, GOCO has since funded more than 5,600 projects in all 64 counties of Colorado without any tax dollar support. Visit GOCO.org for more information.