Recreation upgrades, water projects topped 2013 news in Sunrise/Whitney areas
View Neighborhood Newspapers takes a look back at 2013 in the Sunrise/Whitney area:
SUNSET PARK REOPENS
Since undergoing renovations in 2009, Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset Road, reopened as part of Clark County Parks and Recreation’s yearlong celebration of the department’s 50th anniversary.
The renovations were divided into two projects. The final renovations were completed in spring.
The park improvements included a water play feature, repaired stonework at the lake, added trees, steel and canvas gazebos, picnic areas and wider walking paths. The dog park was also moved to an area separated from the main park by railroad tracks.
The park added a reservations building so people can make picnic reservations or rent bicycle or fishing equipment.
“Since reopening the park, we’ve seen more picnic rentals, and we’ve had good attendance with special events held at the park,” said Steve Corry, assistant director at the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department. “There are a greater number of people coming to the park.”
WETLANDS PARK VISITOR CENTER OPENS
Just in time for spring, the Wetlands Park Visitor Center opened in April at 7050 Wetlands Park Lane. The 45,000-square-foot complex features an additional 15,000 square feet of outdoor observation decking.
The center also includes a store, meeting space, a small research lab, an auditorium, a cafe and exhibits.
“The Nature Center Exhibit Hall was designed with a strong emphasis on creating a learning environment where learners of all ages would be engaged and successful in discovering concepts meaningful to them,” said Allison Brody, recreation program supervisor at Clark County Wetlands Park.
The center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Admission is free.
LAS VEGAS WASH PROJECT CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
In response to severe flooding in 2012, the Las Vegas Wash Project was proposed to provide 4 miles of flood-control improvements to the Las Vegas and Flamingo washes in residential and commercial areas.
Last summer, the Clark County Regional Flood Control District passed a resolution to reserve $35 million for the Las Vegas Wash improvements and increased the reserve to $50 million in May for flood improvements to the Flamingo Wash.
The first phase began in October, when Clark County initiated herbicide application on the turf at the Desert Rose Golf Course, 5483 Club House Drive. The first phase focused on removing 280 trees, turf and de-watering wells from the golf course.
The project is expected to take two years.
SLOAN CHANNEL PIPELINE PROJECT CONTINUES
More than two years ago, North Las Vegas began pumping approximately 20 million gallons of wastewater daily into Clark County’s Sloan Channel. The results have left residents living near Sloan Channel with offensive smells and bug-infested areas.
In order to alleviate the situation, a pipeline was proposed to carry wastewater from the North Las Vegas Water Reclamation Facility along the Sloan Channel to the Las Vegas Wash.
Dan Kulin, spokesman for the county, said the project is expected to begin in 2014 and end in 2015.
NELLIS AFFECTED BY BUDGET CUTS
Nellis Air Force Base was affected by the budget cuts in major ways this year.
Due to cuts under the federal sequester law, Nellis was forced to cancel its 2013 Aviation Nation air show, which was slated for Nov. 9 and 10.
Nellis officials confirmed the cancellation of July’s Red Flag air combat exercise and the next graduate-level weapons school for pilots.
The Thunderbirds demonstration team at Nellis was also grounded for a few months because of budget cuts.
MOUNT REAGAN PROPOSAL DISRUPTED BY HOUSE BILL
Since 2010, Chuck Muth has been actively pursuing a proposal to rename Frenchman Mountain’s peak Mount Reagan to honor the former U.S. president.
In October, Rep. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, disrupted the proposal with a bill in the House to name the peak for Maude Frazier, the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Nevada.
“Our next step is to get a competing bill put in through Congress,” Muth said. “We’re not giving up. It wouldn’t be very Reaganesque of me if I did.”
ELECTRIC DAISY FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR THIRD TIME
The Electric Daisy Festival returned to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in June for the third time since moving to Las Vegas.
New this year was the chance for couples to get married. The event hosted a sold out crowd of approximately 345,000 attendees.
This year’s event pumped an estimated $278 million into the Clark County economy, according to an economic impact report commissioned by festival producers Insomniac.
WAYNE NEWTON’S FORMER RANCH UP FOR SALE
Wayne Newton’s former estate, dubbed Casa de Shenandoah, went up for sale in September after years of legal issues, disputes and plans of turning it into a museum.
The property, 6629 S. Pecos Road, was originally listed under Synergy Sotheby’s International Realty for $70 million but was reduced to $48 million this month.
“They’re motivated to get it sold,” said listing broker Dale Thornburgh. “We’ve been getting a lot of builder interest, and we’ve also had one family that was considering it for a family compound. We might have an agreement by next year, but nothing is entirely concrete at this time.”
Thornburgh added that the new owners have continued to make improvements to the property and recently added swans.
OTHER 2013 NEWS
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park moved from 4915 Steptoe St. to 7440 Dean Martin Drive, Suite 201.
Horseman’s Park, 5800 E. Flamingo Road, unveiled renovations in May. They included a new front-entrance sign and landscaping, new perimeter fencing around the park and added trails.
Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686.
