City may buy park back from state

Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002 | 11:15 a.m.

At the time, the sale of the 2,000-acre park called Tule Springs to the state seemed like a good deal, even at the going price of $1.

The city of Las Vegas didn't have the money in 1977 to operate the park, which had fallen into disrepair. The state had cash and a federal grant of more than $1 million to invest.

Now a city hungry for recreational space wants Floyd Lamb State Park back, and it appears a cash-strapped state is willing to make a deal.

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday instructed its staff to enter into negotiations with the state over the proposed transfer of the park, lake and buildings south of Moccasin Road and north of Grand Teton Road, just off U.S. 95.

At issue is whether the land, known geographically as Tule Springs as far back as 1869, will be converted to a site for urban recreation activities or remain a rural haven where folks can escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

The majority of those who have spoken at public meetings on the issue say that despite the fact that housing developments are creeping up on the park, they want to keep the setting rural, preserving its rich history, including fossils dating back 13,000 years.

They say the area should remain a picturesque site for quiet picnics and activities such as fishing. In the past, city officials and others have said the park would be an excellent site for concerts, parties, special events and softball fields.

"There is a misconception that we will take it over and turn it into ballparks," said Councilman Michael Mack, noting that $250,000 has been set aside for projects such as an equestrian wing at the park.

Assemblyman Tom Collins, D-North Las Vegas, told the City Council that the state does not have the funds to properly maintain the park, and that the city might be better suited to provide preservation.

Under state law the park must be held in trust, and it would take action by the Legislature to return it to the city. Collins said he would assist the city at the Legislature.

Councilman Larry Brown said the chance to reacquire the 2,000-plus acres of land would give the city a chance to have "a wonderful legacy to leave behind."

The city apparently did not feel that way in 1971, when it approached the state and proposed that Tule Springs become part of the State Parks System.

Then-state Sen. Floyd Lamb, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, pushed through a grant request to the Interior Department. In October 1977 the state received from the federal government a $592,000 grant that was matched with $664,000 in state money

The city transferred the park to the state earlier that year, but before doing so renamed it for Lamb as a way of saying thanks for relieving the city's burden.

By the mid-1990s, the state had spent $5 million on the facility that today draws about a quarter-million visitors a year. The state owns 680 acres at the west end of the park and leases 1,360 acres from the Bureau of Land Management.

In 1983 Lamb, a Democrat from Pioche, was found guilty in federal court of taking $20,000 in bribes from an undercover FBI agent in the "Operation Yobo" sting and served time in prison. Since the late 1980s several attempts have been made at the city level and at the Legislature to change the park's name back to Tule Springs State Park.

State lawmakers have balked at changing the name, citing Lamb's 26 years in the Legislature and all of the good work he did, including saving the park from decay.

Lamb died in June at age 87.