Editorial: Let’s not mess up a good thing

Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 | 9:41 a.m.

The Las Vegas City Council previously has indicated it's serious about assuming control of the Floyd Lamb State Park, especially since state government would turn it over to the city for free. But the city's staff told council members Wednesday that there could be significant expenditures down the road for the city if the acquisition becomes a reality. According to city staff, it could cost $450,000 to repair rundown buildings and more than $1 million a year could be needed just to maintain the park. Councilman Gary Reese didn't sound enthusiastic about the city taking over the park following the staff's presentation on Wednesday. He questioned whether the state was trying to unload a "white elephant." We hope that the city does drop its plans to acquire the park, but not necessarily for the same reasons that might make the City Council skittish.

Residents who use and who live near Floyd Lamb State Park are concerned that the rural character of the park would be transformed into one cluttered with softball and soccer fields if the city takes over -- a concern we share. While members of the City Council have said they would maintain the park's rural character, those assurances may not be binding on a future City Council. Indeed, if the city ran the park, we wouldn't be surprised if one day the city would put in recreational fields so that the local government could charge fees to sports leagues that use them, a way to offset operating costs.

In Las Vegas, other than the Floyd Lamb State Park, we really don't have a tranquil retreat from our urban surroundings. The state, instead of turning the park over to the city, should fund what improvements are needed at Floyd Lamb State Park and ensure that it retains its rural character.