Status quo at state park

Dan Kulin

Thursday, April 27, 2006 | 7:14 a.m.

As Las Vegas officials begin planning the future of Floyd Lamb State Park, many residents already know exactly what they hope happens - very little.

The park on the northern edge of the city is a quiet, peaceful enclave with fishing ponds, picnic areas and historic buildings in an area also known as Tule Springs, which was a popular dude ranch six decades ago.

"We want that park left exactly the way it is now," said Don White, a leader of the Citizens Action Committee of Tule Springs, a group expected to play a prominent role in the planning process.

Las Vegas Councilman Steve Ross, whose ward includes the park, said he has heard rumors about what might happen, and hopes the planning meetings this summer and fall will put park lovers at ease.

"We want them to know this isn't going to be a free-for-all," said Ross, who himself is a member of CACTUS. "It isn't going to be a golf course or a Six Flags."

Las Vegas is scheduled to take ownership of the land in June 2007 under an agreement that severely restricts what will be allowed at the park.

The city will be permitted to use the land for outdoor recreation - including walking trails and picnic areas - as well as for conservation activities. It also could be used for public infrastructure, which could mean floodwater detention basins or allowing utility lines to cross the park lands.

Ross and White said they would like to see the buildings, ponds and other existing features better maintained and renovated as needed.

"We'll make sure the ponds aren't leaking and that sort of thing," Ross said.

White added: "This is an oasis in this city, and the people are looking to just have that maintained."

The desire for increased maintenance was one of the motives behind the city taking over the park from the state.

The public meetings on the park's future are expected to be held throughout the city in July, September and October, although exact dates have not been set. The plan is to go to the City Council by 2007.

A consulting company, Greenways Inc., has a $100,000 contract to help develop a plan for the 680-acre park, which is named after the former state senator.