Protecting open spaces key issue

Eric Leake

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005 | 8:46 a.m.

Henderson leaders met Tuesday evening to discuss how to plan for the growing city's open spaces while they still can.

"We're getting to the point if we really want to leave the available land we have to act now," Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson said. "It's getting used as fast as it's freed up."

The purpose of the night's two-hour workshop at the Henderson Convention Center was to approach an understanding on what open space is and what is available to the city. Members of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Board attended.

Throughout the discussion participants generally agreed that open spaces are those such as trail systems, nature preserves, and other areas that are left in a mostly natural state for recreational or environmental purposes.

Trail systems near flood channels, Pitman Wash, and the Lake Las Vegas Wetland park are examples.

Gibson said the city hired a consulting firm to begin working on an open space plan late last year. Public workshops are scheduled for next month and the plan will go through further revision. A final draft is expected before the city council by the end of the year, Gibson said.

Tom Keith, a principal with the EDAW consulting firm that is spearheading the plan, said open spaces contribute to a community's quality of life and identity by preserving natural heritage.

"There is actually a superb amount of vacant land in the city," Keith said. "Although it's growing rapidly, there is a lot of opportunity."