Summerlin completes newest park

According to Kevin Orrock, top division executive of The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin, when the economy was beginning to dip in 2008, most developers and home builders responded by cutting back on building programs in the wake of tightening credit markets, rising unemployment, dropping home values and less demand.

However, recognizing the integral role of community amenities, the developers of Summerlin continued construction on The Mesa Park, a 19-acre community park with an open lawn area, lighted tennis courts and Little League ball fields. The park officially opened in November 2008.

"There are very few communities in the country that encompass the volume and variety of amenities as Summerlin," Orrock said. "Parks, trails and open space play a particularly big role in attracting both residents and businesses to Summerlin. With immediate access to golf courses, tennis courts, ball fields, trails and play areas, Summerlin residents enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle. That kind of access to parks and outdoor amenities right in your own backyard doesn't exist in any other Las Vegas community."

According to Orrock, a home in Summerlin is a package deal that comes with nearly 150 parks, 150-plus miles of trails, 25 public and private schools, nine golf courses and more than a dozen houses of worship. These amenities create the community's hallmark.

"The community's master plan was conceived more than two decades ago and includes one of the most comprehensive offerings of amenities for a single community -- not just in Southern Nevada but within the entire country," he said. "Summerlin has been exhaustively studied by developers throughout the country over the past two decades and is frequently held up as a model community."

According to Julie Cleaver, vice president of planning and design for The Howard Hughes Corp., Clark County and the city of Las Vegas require developers to build 21/2 acres of parks per 1,000 residents. In Summerlin, that ratio is more than 62 percent higher at nearly 4 acres per 1,000 residents. That ratio includes only the 23 large community parks in Summerlin that range from 5 to 70 acres each.

"Our numbers would soar even higher if we were to include the 125-plus 'pocket' parks that we require all homebuilders to develop in their neighborhoods," she said.

Summerlin's nearly 150 parks encompass a total of more than 430 acres. Added to this is the community's extensive trail system that adds more than 150 miles of trails throughout Summerlin. According to Cleaver, about one-fourth of the community's total acreage is dedicated to parks, trails, golf courses and open space.

In early July, Summerlin's first park -- The Hills Park -- was adopted by the community. Built in 1991 as the first residents were moving in, the park has been owned and operated by the city of Las Vegas since The Howard Hughes Corp. deeded it to the city in 1992. At almost 8 acres, The Hills Park has long been one of Summerlin's signature parks and hundreds of special events and performances have been held on the amphitheater stage. According to Orrock, The Hills Park is a welcome addition to the community's stable of parks.

"Nearly 20 years after Summerlin first began, the community has remained true to its original master plan," Clever said.

"While minor adjustments to the plan have been made over the years, we continue to fulfill our commitment to our residents by building the parks and other amenities as originally promised. It's these very amenities that create the Summerlin lifestyle and quality of life our residents expect."

According to Orrock, Summerlin residents have ranked trails and parks as the most popular and important amenities in multiple community surveys. "Nearly 70 percent of our residents use the walking trails and jogging paths at least once every few weeks, while 50 percent use the open lawn areas and 41 percent frequent a Summerlin park every few weeks. There's no better testimonial than that of our residents who value the contribution of our community's parks and trails to their quality of life," he said.

Homes are available in a variety of styles -- from single-family homes to townhomes, condominiums and lofts -- priced from the upper $100,000s to more than $2 million. Custom-home sites in The Ridges are priced from the $500,000s.

For more information on Summerlin, visit summerlin.com or call 791-4500.