Las Vegas moves ahead with plans for widespread recreation facilities

Erin Neff

Friday, June 30, 2000 | 11:18 a.m.

Parks used to be something everyone wanted, with wish lists including ball fields, walking trails, tennis courts, skateboard parks and bocci courts.

But Las Vegas city officials don't want those amenities to merely be wishes that are shelved when higher-priority road, labor or technology projects arise.

"Parks remain a need for the city," City Councilman Larry Brown said. "It's not something we should simply want."

As a result, the city has developed a parks master plan to help focus future funding and staff priorities to increase the amount of open space acreage per 1,000 residents.

If Las Vegas is to achieve 2.5 acres of park space for every 1,000 residents, another 84 parks on 1,550 acres are needed.

While that goal may not be achieved for another 20 years, the city has begun spending $25 million on 11 specific park projects to help address immediate open space needs, according to John McNellis, the city's deputy director of public works.

"We're really beginning to make progress on parks," McNellis said.

Projects range from upgrading restrooms to sodding baseball fields in detention basins. Some projects entail play equipment and paths on small "pocket parks," while others like the planned 49-acre Buffalo Park would be dominated by football fields.

During a budget augmentation vote last week, Brown warned the council and city staff that parks need to remain on the top of everyone's agenda when unexpected funds become available.

"If it doesn't, that's when you typically see some capital improvements, roads, technology and labor expenses taking it," Brown said.

"Police and fire (services) will remain the No. 1 function of government, but right behind them there has to be open space opportunities."

Brown and City Councilman Michael Mack represent the two wards in the city's northwest where park projects dot the landscape. Projects in Mack's ward, for example, include a $1.6 million park at Ann and Cimarron roads. Mountain Ridge Park, in the Elkhorn Springs area, will have three ballfields, tennis courts and a roller hockey area.

The massive 120-acre Deer Springs Regional Park is also planned, but not yet funded, in Mack's ward.

"It's a huge quality-of-life issue," Mack said. "We have to really get creative to address it."

Mack is working with Clark County Commissioner Mary Kincaid and the Clark County School District for a 3-acre city-county park next to Joe Neal Elementary School.

"The county's got the dough and we've got the (Bureau of Land Management) land," Mack said. "These partnerships are going to become more common."

One such joint project is the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex at Lake Mead Boulevard and Tenaya Way. Within a few weeks, the 10 lighted soccer fields, parking area, playground and restrooms should be completed.

That project and several others are in Brown's ward, including the 17-acre Metro Park at Gowan Road and Cheyenne Avenue. That $3.5 million park will have a natural area and possibly skateboard, tennis and roller hockey areas.

Several park projects in detention basins are expanding in Brown's ward, including the 30-acre Gowan South Basin Park expected to be complete next summer.

Baker Park, at St. Louis Avenue and Maryland Parkway in Councilman Gary Reese's ward, is scheduled for a $3 million overhaul.

Buffalo Park, at Buffalo Drive and Oakey Boulevard in Michael McDonald's ward, will be a 45-acre football park. The city has spent $3.75 million acquiring land for that park.