Providence breaks ground on Knickerbocker Park

Development of Knickerbocker Park at Providence, the master-planned in northwestern Las Vegas, is moving forward. Community residents, Mountain Ridge Little League All-Stars and Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross joined Providence Master Homeowners Association, Providence Park Committee and Focus Property Group representatives for the park's groundbreaking ceremony Dec. 2. The baseball-themed occasion, complementing Providence's small town America ambience, included participants burying a time capsule, throwing the park's first pitch and presenting a home plate-shaped plaque.

Scheduled to open in late 2011, the neighborhood park will feature a splash pad, tot lots, dog park, events field, youth baseball field, jogging path with exercise stations, picnic areas and designated spaces for future amenities. Located at the southeast corner of Shaumber Road and Dorrell Lane, the park is expected to cost $2.2 million.

"Breaking ground on Knickerbocker Park represents an exciting time for residents and another sign of growth in our community," said Brandon Exline, Capital Consultants Management Corp.'s community manager for the Providence Master Homeowners Association, which is building the park. "Development of the park has been a true collaboration between our residents and park committee, city of Las Vegas and community developer Focus Property Group. As a result, we're able to provide various upgrades making the park even more of an asset for residents and others visiting the Providence community."

Knickerbocker Park follows the philosophy of the Providence Master Homeowners Association and Focus Property Group to offer avenues for fitness and outdoor recreation while protecting the natural desert environment with drought-tolerant landscaping.

"Given these trying economic times, it's great that Providence residents will have a new park to enjoy when few other communities are adding such features," said John Ritter, Focus Property Group chief executive officer. "An upgraded Knickerbocker Park is becoming a reality because of resident and homeowner association involvement and support from the city of Las Vegas and Councilman Ross."

Following Knickerbocker Park, Focus will build Huckleberry Park -- also an upgraded park. "In addition to our great homes, builders and location, the existing linear Promenade Park, miles of trails systems, and now Knickerbocker Park and Huckleberry Park in the future are reasons Providence continues to be the second fastest-selling master plan in Nevada, behind Focus' Mountain's Edge, and one of the top five fastest-selling communities in the country," Ritter said.

"Open space and parks are important to our quality of life, and Providence residents are fortunate that the Providence Master Homeowners Association and Focus Property Group understand this," said Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross, whose ward covers the Providence area. "The collaborative effort reflects not just the vision for Providence by the city of Las Vegas and Focus Property Group, but the vision of the residents and community in tailoring Knickerbocker Park to meet their needs."

Commemorating the groundbreaking, the time capsule was buried with a 2010 Providence activities yearbook and baseballs signed by attendees. Mountain Ridge Little League All-Star MVP Larry Quaney Jr., threw out the park's first baseball pitch to Las Vegas 51s mascot Cosmo. Councilman Ross threw the second pitch. Additionally the home plate-shaped plaque was presented to dedicate the baseball field when the park opens. Signed by Exline, Ritter, Ross and Bob Ruszczyk, Providence Park Committee chairman, the plaque states: "If you build it, they will come" and "A homerun for the community."

The park name was inspired by American literary and historical icons after "Knickerbocker Tales," Washington Irving's 8th century upstate New York collection of stories that includes "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Headless Horseman."

Homebuilders include Beazer Homes, KB Home, Lennar, Meritage Homes, Richmond American Homes, R/S Development, Ryland Homes, Warmington and Woodside Homes.

When completed, Providence will have an estimated 7,500 single and multifamily units, linear Promenade Park, trails systems and two community parks. An additional elementary school and one middle school will be added to the existing area schools.

To learn about Providence, visit the information center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, at 7051 N. Hualapai Way (Interstate 215 North and Hualapai), call 433-5084 or visit providence.com.