ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. -- Arapahoe County is distributing $10.6 million for open space, park and trail projects.

The money comes from a countywide quarter-cent sales and use tax for the preservation of open space approved by voters in November 2003 (called shareback funds).

"The extensive impact of the Arapahoe County Open Space program would not be possible without our cities, towns and special districts," said Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld, who serves as board chairman. "Together we are preserving open space, enhancing our parks and building a network of trails."

This year, Arapahoe County distributed nearly $8.7 million in shareback funds, which officials said was divided among the following cities and towns, based on population:

Aurora $4.96 million

Bennett $5,737

Centennial $1.81 million

Cherry Hills Village $112,956

Columbine Valley $23,377

Deer Trail $10,419

Englewood $582,496

Foxfield $14,369

Glendale $85,682

Greenwood Village $262,535

Littleton $698,902

Sheridan $97,496

On June 10, Arapahoe County awarded nearly $1.9 million in grants for 10 open space, park and trail projects. In a news release, county officials explained that these funds are leveraged at a ratio of 1:2, which means that for every grant dollar from the county, local entities generate an additional $2 to pay for approved projects. According to the news release, the projects receiving funding include:

Arapahoe Park and Recreation District -- Lowry Trust Land Acquisition. Grant: $250,000 Match: $838,800. Officials said this grant, along with grants from Great Outdoors Colorado and district funds, will help the district purchase 175 acres of open space at Quincy and E-470 to protect one mile of Tollgate Creek and develop a regional park with sports fields, swimming and picnic facilities and regional trail connections.

Arapahoe Park and Recreation District -- Tallgrass Park Phase I. Grant: $250,000 Match: $279,400. This money will help pay for the development of the first phase of a 9.4 acre neighborhood park that includes wildlife-friendly natural areas with multiuse trails, basketball court, playfield, picnic shelter, playground and disc golf.

City of Aurora, Ponderosa Preserve Expansion. Grant: $250,000 Match: $862,500. This grant supports the purchase more than 25 acres of additional open space to preserve the far north end of the Black Forest.

City of Aurora, Unnamed Creek Trail Extension. Grant: $100,000 Match: $292,600. The city of Aurora will use this grant to complete the Unnamed Creek Trail with two creek crossings connecting southern Aurora, eastern Centennial and parts of unincorporated Arapahoe County to the metrowide regional trail system.

City of Centennial -- Centennial Civic Center Park Phase I. Grant: $250,000 Match: $1,645,320. This grant, along with a Great Outdoors Colorado grant and matching funds, will help Centennial build a new 11-acre community park with a playground, water play, shelters, trails, open space meadow near the creek and more.

City of Centennial -- Centennial Regional Trail Link Phase I. Grant: $250,000 Match: $455,100. The city of Centennial will work with South Suburban Park and Recreation District to create 1.25 miles of multiuse community trail connecting to both the High Line Canal and more than 100 miles of a regional trail system.

City of Littleton -- Slaughterhouse Gulch Trail Link Phase I. Grant: $233,000 Match: $129,600. The city of Littleton will build a trail that showcases open space that includes the historic 1860s City Ditch and flume, the oldest operating aqueduct and irrigation ditch in metro Denver.

Parker Jordan Metro District -- Cherry Creek Crossing and Trail. Grant: $250,000 Match: $276,600. This grant will begin the design and construction of a low-water crossing across Cherry Creek and trail connection south of Arapahoe Road and west of the Cornerstar development.

Town of Bennett -- South Bennett Trail Plan. Grant: $12,000 Match: $4,500. The town of Bennett will use these funds to develop a regional trail plan that identifies key trail corridors for southern Bennett and possible connections to the county’s open space.

Town of Deer Trail - Trail Replacement. Grant: $27,100 Match: $12,600. This grant will help replace the damaged multiuse trail running through Spirit of the Prairie Park to increase safety, accessibility and user enjoyment.