Denver Parks and Open Space Sales Tax Plan Rolls Out

From Denver Parks: Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Executive Director of Parks & Recreation, Happy Haynes, and City Council President, Jolon Clark today announced the release of the five-year plan for theParks and Open Space Sales Tax that is dedicated to the improvement and expansion of Denver’s parks and recreation system.

The Denver Parks & Recreation 2A Five-year Plan includes investment in:

• Acquiring additional land for parks, trails and open space;
• Improving and maintaining existing parks, trails and open space, including Denver Mountain Parks;
• Building and maintaining new parks and trails;
• Restoring and protecting natural features such as waterways, rivers, canals, and streams; and
• Expanding the urban tree cover in parks, parkways, and public right-of-ways.

“We laid out the goal that every Denver resident in every neighborhood should live within a 10-minute walk of a park – every resident,” Mayor Hancock said. “The people of Denver agreed and said yes to more parks in more neighborhoods, and we’re ready to deliver. This investment plan will mean more new parks and open spaces, addressing a long list of deferred maintenance and bringing park amenities to all corners of the city, especially in neighborhoods that don’t have equitable access to a quality park.”

The additional funds provided by Measure 2A, combined with existing city general funding, create new opportunities to realize Denver Parks and Recreation’s 20-year visioning document, Game Plan for a Healthy City, the strategic master plan providing a roadmap for the future of Denver parks, facilities, and recreation programs.

“Equity is the driving principle guiding the plan for the investment of 2A funds,” said Happy Haynes, Executive Director of Parks and Recreation. “We heard from the community and created a plan that prioritizes land acquisition and addresses deferred maintenance to provide park access, quality amenities and recreation opportunities for all Denver residents in neighborhoods throughout the city.”

Last November, Denver voters approved Ballot Measure 2A, a 0.25% sales tax estimated to generate more than $37 million a year to support parks and open space championed by City Council President Jolon Clark. The sales tax creates opportunities to ensures long-term economic and operational health of Denver’s park and recreation system.

“Thanks to the voters in Denver, Ballot Measure 2A created a dedicated source of funding for our parks, trails and open space,” said Jolon Clark, Denver City Council President. “This plan sets the foundation for bold investments in our tree canopy, our rivers and streams, our mountain parks, and in new parks in neighborhoods that don’t have a park.”

Many of the projects identified in the plan were developed from public input, unfunded bond projects, and requests from city council members on behalf of their constituents.

“Input provided by Denver residents and extensive community outreach guided both the Game Plan and projects in this plan,” said Florence Navarro, Park and Recreation Advisory Board Member and Co-chair of The Game Plan. “I am looking forward to reviewing the plan with my fellow board members and hearing from the public as this plan begins to go forward in the process.”

A public hearing is scheduled during the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, May 30.

Learn more about Denver Parks and Recreation’s Investment Framework here.