Projects & Planning

The Projects and Planning Division is primarily responsible for the planning and design of the city's parks and open space capital projects, implementation of the Thornton Parks and Open Space Master Plan, liaison with the Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission, and administration of grant program as it relates to projects. 

Each year, the city receives requests from residents for improvements throughout the city.  During the annual budget cycle, an ongoing list is updated and reviewed for consideration.  All requests received during the current year, and requests from past years that have not been funded, compete for annual funding along with other city needs for roads, water/sewer, traffic, parks maintenance and repairs, etc.  For information on parks and recreation related capital projects in progress, please click on the Capital Improvements Project link on the right side of the page.

The Division also works with the Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission (POSAC) in implementing and updating the city's Parks and Open Space Master Plan, updating the Trails User Map and making recommendations to city council on acquisitions and development with parks and open space tax funds.

Parks & Open Space Advisory Commission (POSAC)

The Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission (POSAC) is a City Council appointed nine-member Commission charged with updating the Parks and Open Space Master Plan and making project recommendations to City Council. The Commission generally meets four times a year, on the fourth Tuesday of January, April, July and October. Normally the meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and have recently been held on Zoom.  In-Person meetings are held at either Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center located at 11151 Colorado Blvd., Trail Winds Recreation Center located at 13495 Holly St., Thornton Community Center located at 2211 Eppinger Blvd. or the Active Adult Center located at 11181 Colorado Blvd.

If you are interested in attending one of the meetings or have questions, please call 303-255-7844 in advance to ensure that the date and/Zoom or location have not changed.