Henderson’s National Trails Day to announce new hiking paths

Henderson is planning to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday with activities, exhibitors and the announcement of a new trail system.

The event is slated to take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway.

According to Kim Becker, a spokeswoman with the city of Henderson's Parks and Recreation Department, National Trails Day is actually in June.

"It can be so hot, so we host ours in October," Becker said. "It's a good way to show what's new. That is what this day is all about -- trails."

Becker said the city of Henderson began hosting a celebration for National Trails Day in 2005.

Bill Laub, who is on the exhibitor committee for the event, said the event has been around since the early '90s and has shifted through organizations over the years such as Clark County or even the River Mountains Loop Trail Partnership. Laub said Henderson has helped the event grow, bringing in more exhibitors.

Laub said when he first became involved with Trails Day in early 2000, there were only about 27 miles of trails.

"Now there are almost 240 miles of trails," he said .

Throughout the event, Becker said exhibitors are planning to pass out information and talk about anything from trail safety to the desert tortoise.

"If you have any inkling for information, this is the place to go," Laub said.

People can find information from organizations such as Henderson Trail Watch, the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, Sierra Club Southern Nevada Group, Project GREEN and Clark County Parks and Recreation.

"Even though this is Henderson-sponsored, we wanted to invite different parks and recreation departments," Becker said, adding that the incentive to invite other departments derives from the fact that the trails across the valley are interconnected and many people use them.

"It's a good way to expose kids to trails and teach them about getting fit," Becker said.

Participants of all ages are invited to join the one-mile family fun walk. People 17 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

People can find updated information about new trails under construction at the event.

At 10:30 a.m., Henderson's Parks and Recreation Department is slated to announce a new trail that is planned to extend around the entire Las Vegas Valley, connecting areas such as Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

"If you are a trail user, you will want to be there," Becker said.

At 12:30 p.m., the city of Henderson is slated to announce the winners of the Trails Photo Contest.

Henderson also is giving people a chance to win a family camping package provided by REI.

"Anyone who attends the event can enter," Becker said. "They just have to fill out an evaluation sheet, which enters them into the drawing."

Participants must be at the main stage at 12:50 p.m. to see if they won the drawing.

For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.