Last week, Arapahoe County took steps to preserving a legacy for future generations when the Board of County Commissioners approved exercising an option agreement to purchase 13 acres in Dove Valley Business Park. The newly designated open space is adjacent to the existing Arapahoe County Community Park.

"This is a great buy for the Open Space program," said commissioner Susan Beckman, who serves as board chairman. "The land we have purchased next to this park will only enhance the area for current and future residents, including those living in Centennial."

Dove Valley is a developing area south of Arapahoe Road and bounded by Centennial Airport to the west, the Arapahoe/Douglas county line to the south, Jordan Road to the east and Broncos Parkway traversing the north area.

Community Park, with its sports fields, picnic areas and special events, hosts in excess of 100,000 visitors per year and is able to meet part of the growing demand for athletic fields by lighting fields, which enables the park to be used at night.

Mitigating the impacts of recreational use including sounds, lighting, safety and group volume are just a few of the public benefits the purchase of this land will provide. The purchase will maintain outstanding views, protect natural values and provide outdoor recreation opportunities in the form of trails.

Development of the open space parcel could include a trail corridor that would be used to connect residents and visitors traveling to and from Community Park.

In October 2007, the Board approved the purchase of approximately 21 acres in Dove Valley to expand the existing park, with the option to purchase these additional 13 acres at a later date. With this purchase, the park now totals 91 acres of contiguous park and open space area in the Dove Valley area of Arapahoe County.