City of Las Vegas parks receive upgrades

A number of city parks are being renovated to meet the needs of Southern Nevada residents.

Justice Myron E. Leavitt Family Park, formerly known as Jaycee Park, at 2100 E. St. Louis Ave., has reopened and already has welcomed hundreds of park visitors. The 18-acre park features a lighted artificial turf soccer field, open turf area, playgrounds, water play feature, dog runs, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, bocce courts, restroom facilities, picnic pavilions, jogging and walking paths, and fitness course equipment.

To reserve group picnic pavilion space or an area of the park for a special event, call the city of Las Vegas park reservations line at 229-6718.

For lacrosse enthusiasts, the lacrosse fields constructed in the northwest part of the valley are a welcome addition. There are two lacrosse fields at Teton Trails Park, located at 7850 N. Bradley Road.

There also are two lighted, artificial turf lacrosse fields and restroom facilities in the first phase of completed construction located at the new Thunderbird Family Sports Complex at 6105 N. Durango Drive. The complex is master planned for four lacrosse fields and a playground when completed. This phase of the complex is called Viper Lacrosse Fields.

The eastern portion of Lorenzi Park, which was closed for renovation during the past year, reopened in June. Park improvements include 10 tennis courts, four softball fields, a special events area, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, a connection to the Pioneer Trail (a six-mile trail that leads visitors through the area where the development of early Las Vegas began), increased parking, and updated walking pathways with lighting and new turf. Renovation of the western portion of the park is currently under design. Lorenzi Park is listed on the city of Las Vegas Historic Property Register.

Freedom Park, located at Mojave Road and Washington Avenue, currently is being remodeled and expected to be completed during the winter of 2010. The new park design features perimeter fencing, improved irrigation, new turf, two Little League ball fields, two soccer fields, concession and restroom facilities, walking and jogging paths, a disc golf course, new playground equipment, skatepark, picnic pavilions, a special events area, wheelchair sports field, basketball courts, on-site parking and the Big League of Dreams baseball complex.

The 68-acre park also is the site of the Carlos L. Martinez and Darrio J. Hall Family Pool. The pool remains open for the summer swim season during park renovation.

The Freedom Park renovation project is funded by the Bureau of Land Management through the sale of public lands as authorized by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act. Funding for the Big League of Dreams complex is provided by private sources.

An exciting project now under way at the city of Las Vegas is the renovation of the 1944 ranch house at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. The historic buildings and park site are listed on the city of Las Vegas Historic Property Register, as well as the state and federal registries. The building will house the park's visitor center, which will become the home of the park's volunteer docent program, currently in the planning stages.

Interested volunteers who would like to spend more time at Floyd Lamb Park and become involved in the park's exciting history and cultural events may contact Melissa Clary at mclary@lasvegasnevada.gov or call 229-4616 for more information about the program. The visitor center will be a continuing work in progress as additional funding becomes available for the building's renovation and exhibits.

The largest park in the city, Floyd Lamb Park is located at 9200 Tule Springs Road. The park remains open during the renovation. Fees to enter the park are $6 per vehicle or $1 per person.

Visit online at www.lasvegasparksand rec.com for information about any of the city's 69 parks.