Largest LV park in the works

Diana Sahagun

Friday, April 20, 2001 | 10:35 a.m.

When Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack was on the campaign trail earlier this year, he held a standing-room-only community meeting to discuss plans to build the city's largest regional park, which he was proposing for the northwest.

Residents asked Mack how they could help the 110-acre park come to fruition. He replied: "Get me elected."

With Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony for Mack and other newly elected council members and municipal judges, Mack is making good on his promise to build the largest regional park in the Las Vegas Valley, the first of its type to be built in more than 30 years.

The City Council Wednesday approved a $395,000 contract with Stantec Consulting Inc. for design of the first phase of the multi-use park, 20 acres. Phase one, located at the northeast corner of Elkhorn Road and Buffalo Drive, would include two lighted soccer fields and 12 sand volleyball courts. A playground, water play feature, dog run area, and picnic areas would also be included.

Mack said construction of the first phase is expected to begin in 2002 and is estimated to cost $7.5 million to construct.

Mack's vision for Deep Springs Park is a $50 million project to be built in phases within seven years.

Additional phases would include an amphitheater, leisure service center, senior center, library, pool, walking trails, and enclosed play areas for dogs.

When built, Deer Springs Park, which is not the official name, would be the biggest regional park in the city of Las Vegas.

The city has two other regional parks. Freedom Park, a 70-acre park at Washington Avenue and Mojave Road, was built by the city in 1972. It was built in phases, with recent renovations in 1996, said Stacy Allsbrok, a spokesman for the city's leisure services department.

In 1921 the city built the first phase of Lorenzi Park, a pool, which ultimately became a 60-acre park.

The northwest currently has a handful of parks, but Mack said it is already behind the growth curve, which is why he is pushing for a regional park.

And because the potential site is owned by the Bureau of Land Management, the city may able to purchase the 120 acres for next to nothing.

The BLM allows local governments to lease BLM land, usually for $1, as long as it is building a public facility, such as a park or school.

And while the $50 million price tax may seem daunting, Mack said he is working on finding creative ways to fund the entire project.

"We're going to have to become more creative in finding funding," Mack said. "I'm looking at bringing in the Boys & Girls Club, joint venturing, and being creative when it comes down to building a leisure center or senior center."

Mack has met with Clark County Commissioner Chip Maxfield, whose district also covers the northwest.

"We share the common view that we don't just represent the city or the county, we represent all of the valley," Mack said.

Some of the money for the project will come from the residential construction tax, which is assessed on all new development.

Mack could also get some help with a bill in the Legislature. Assembly Bill 62 would allow cities to impose impact fees on commercial developments, which would be used to build regional parks of 40 acres or more.