Parks plan will take generations, millions

Erin Neff

Thursday, March 16, 2000 | 10:49 a.m.

Although parks top most city wish lists, it will take millions of dollars and 20 years to even catch up with today's need.

That was the underlying message of a parks master plan approved Wednesday by the Las Vegas City Council.

Although city planners consider the $387.5 million plan over the next 20 years to be "achievable," they admit it will take tremendous effort with serious budget implications.

The city's overall goal is to increase the ratio of park land per resident from 1 acre for every thousand residents to 2.5 acres. The Southern Nevada Strategic Planning Authority said 2.5 acres per 1,000 residents is realistic.

"This is clearly a challenging goal, a formidable goal, but we believe 2.5 acres is attainable," city planner Chris Knight said.

Getting to that amount would require 1,500 acres of new parks. The city plans to create that space with small neighborhood parks dotted throughout the city.

But plopping a park onto a map is different than finding space for one in a built-up neighborhood, Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald said.

"From a tactical standpoint, where do you go when a park site is not available?" she asked.