We know from the Parks, Trails, Open Space and Historic Resources Survey in 2024, that 50% of our community members are looking for more ballfields and improved multi-use parks in their area. Your County is collaborating with municipalities to do just that.
During a regular business meeting Monday, Nov. 4, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners approved shareback funding for the Town of Parker and the Town of Castle Rock.
In 2022, voters approved the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources, and Open Space, Sales and Use Tax, which provides for 20% of the net proceeds from the tax to be shared with each municipality wholly located within Douglas County (Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Parker, Larkspur, and Lone Tree). These funds, known as municipal shareback funds or sharebacks, can be requested at the discretion of the municipalities at any time.
The Town of Parker requested its shareback of $8,710,539 for the construction of Salisbury Park North. In line with the process defined in the ballot language resolution, the request was reviewed and recommended by the Parks Advisory Board (PAB) to the Board of County Commissioners, which has fund distribution authority.
Phase 1 at Salisbury Park North will include four lighted baseball/softball fields, two lighted synthetic multi-use fields, parking, landscaping, and restrooms. Salisbury Park North is directly north of Salisbury Equestrian and Sports Complex on the east side of Motsenbocker Road in Parker.
The Town of Castle Rock requested and received a shareback of $3,700,000 for renovations to Mitchell Gulch Park that were completed in July 2024. The renovation included a dedicated paved parking lot, new playgrounds, fitness elements, a pavilion, an all-season restroom, added lighting, new tennis courts, ADA improvements, a bike pump track, and a permanent cornhole game area with seating. The project was initially funded through internal borrowing, with a planned payback from the Town’s accumulated shareback balance. The most recent request from the Town for shareback funds was in 2022 to pay for a portion of Butterfield Crossing Park improvements.