Las Vegas Sun

May 2, 2024

Boulder City seeking $96,000 to maintain trails

Lake Mead

Sam Morris

With more than 30 miles of paved trail to explore, the River Mountains Loop Trail is popular among cyclists.

Boulder City is hoping to receive a share of $1.2 million in federal grant money from the Recreational Trails Program to help maintain the River Mountains Loop Trail and trails at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Nevada Division of State Parks today and Wednesday will hold an advisory meeting to hear from 28 outdoor recreation programs looking to get part of the grant. 

Officials with Boulder City said they would request $96,000. All $1.2 million could go to one project or be split among several projects.

“We need to crack-seal, slurry-seal and repair potential tripping hazards, things of that nature,” said Jim Keane, city engineer with Boulder City.

River Mountains Loop Trail is a popular spot for visitors to Boulder City, which only maintains a portion of the loop.

The trail “is approximately 34 miles in length and surrounds the River Mountains connecting Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Henderson, Boulder City and the rest of the Las Vegas Valley, expanding recreational and alternative transportation opportunities for the region’s growing population,” according to its website.

Paul Sikora, grants manager with Boulder City, said the city went through the preapplication process in August and was approved by a committee to advance to the final stage this week.

The city’s total trails maintenance project is estimated at $120,000, officials said. Boulder City would cover whatever the grant doesn’t provide.

“It will keep (the trail) in good shape for the public to use, whether they’re walking or biking, or in a wheelchair even,” Keane said.

Many of the grant proposals are from other parts of the state, such as a pitch for a trail at Walker Lake near Hawthorne, bathroom upgrades at the Southside Trailhead in Pahrump and modification to Purgatory Trail in Caliente.

Henderson will be looking for grant money to support its Junior Naturalist Camp, a day camp that includes archery, exploring and a rock-climbing wall, according to the city’s website.