Columnist Susan Snyder: With park, officials show horse sense

Thursday, May 26, 2005 | 8:13 a.m.

Southern Nevada equestrians will greet summer's first official weekend by opening a brand-new city park for those who ride horses.

Bradley Bridle Park, located at the Las Vegas Valley's northern end (directions are at the bottom of this column), is the city's first facility for horseback riding and only the second such public park in the valley.

"It's just really nice and very desperately needed," said Ed Dodrill, an accomplished equestrian and member of the Southern Nevada Regional Trails Partnership.

As development creeps steadily outward, the middle of nowhere quickly becomes the center of everything.

"Used to be a lot of places you could just ride up the street," Dodrill said. "But now, with all the construction traffic ... all of these big trucks are booming up there, and a lot of horses aren't used to that."

A lot of people aren't used to it either, but that's fodder for another day.

Though it's not open yet, the bridle park already has a past, said Leni Skaar, council liaison for Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack, who represents the area.

Champion Homes didn't have enough open space in its plans to develop the area, Skaar said. So city officials worked a deal where Champion Homes agreed to build an equestrian park on adjacent BLM land, then give the park to the city.

But the project went bankrupt before it could get started, Skaar said. When KB Home acquired Champion's land about four years ago, it also received the equestrian park requirement. KB Home also agreed to provide maintenance for one year.

The facility covers about 4.5 acres of a 25-acre parcel. It includes two riding rings, a 120-by-220-foot show arena, a shaded corral, picnic shelters, a special fountain for horses and a perimeter riding trail. More facilities will be added after city officials see what kinds of uses are popular or needed.

"We don't know what it will be yet," Skaar said. "But we've already been told we're going to need a lot more parking for horse trailers and additional stalls."

If junior rodeo organizers decide to use Bradley Park, they also will need to add some holding corrals for calves and steers, Skaar said.

For now, city officials just want people to get out there and use it.

"We're hoping it becomes one of our busiest parks," Skaar said.

Residents are invited to get their first look Saturday during a grand-opening celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be riding demonstrations and other activities highlighting skills of the West, pony rides for the kids and free barbecue (while it lasts).

But please, don't bring horses to the festivities, Skaar said. There will be too many people and activities. However, riders and their mounts will be welcome after 3 p.m.

The park is well-lighted and is to be open 24 hours a day, though city officials prefer people use it between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

To get there, take Interstate 215 toward the north end of the valley, exit at Jones Boulevard and turn north on Jones. Turn right (east) on Grand Teton and then turn north on Bradley. The equestrian park is on the west side of the road.

It's a long drive for many of us, but well worth it for a little horsing around.