Dove Valley Regional Park reopens July 8 after major glow up

Dove Valley Regional Park in Centennial, Colo. reopens noon Monday after a months-long renovation to improve the 35-year-old park.

The expansion added 40 additional acres to the park, 7900 S. Potomac Street Road, extending the amount of developed land to over 90 acres, a spokesperson for Arapahoe County told The Denver Gazette via email.

The $18 million project includes a slew of new upgrades including:

• Large playground for ages 2-12
• Small parkour and swing set playground
• New off-leash dog park with big and small dog areas with shade shelters, picnic tables, benches and climbing rocks
• Upgraded athletic fields
• Expanded concrete and crusher walking paths
• Outdoor fitness equipment station with a stair climb Overlook
• Three-acre community turf grass lawn
• Shade pavilion with picnic shelters
• Sledding hill
• New 165-car parking lot
• New roadway access
• Refurbished restrooms

Arapahoe County Open Space Sales and Use Tax funded the improvements directly, as part of the 50 percent of collected tax that it gives to cities and towns to support open space and recreation programs, said Anders Nelson, a spokesperson for Arapahoe County.

“Upgrading the facilities and amenities in our parks will help more people spend time outdoors, stay active, and build stronger relationships with their neighbors,” said Arapahoe County Commissioner Jessica Campbell, District 2, in a statement.

All of these improvements will be open at the reopening of the park as part of Phase 1, and further improvements will be completed later this summer — including a bike park and pump track, according to Arapahoe County’s news release.

Phase 2 of the project will include a lighted championship field with artificial turf, built-in seating and shade structure, restroom and concession building, and additional youth fields, according to Arapahoe County’s website—the start date has yet to be determined.

For now, the recreational fields are available for drop-in use by the public. This fall, Arapahoe County plans to begin active fee-based programming, according to its website.

“By investing in our parks, we are investing in the future of our county and a healthy quality of life for our residents,” said Campbell.

To find out more about Dove Valley Regional Park and its upgrades visit Arapahoe County’s website under "Park Expansion Project."