Summerlin residents take to the outdoors during the fall

Thousands of Summerlin residents take to the outdoors to enjoy the cooler temperatures of the fall season.

"Summerlin villages foster a more intimate neighborhood setting," said Kevin Orrock, executive vice president of master-planned communities for The Howard Hughes Corp, developer of Summerlin. "This was an intentional feature of Summerlin's master plan. With a community as large as Summerlin -- at 22,500 acres -- it's important to establish villages with their own amenities to create the charm of a small community. Village parks, trail systems, schools, shopping centers, churches and other amenities where neighbors frequently gather create the small-town community feel that so many of our residents enjoy."

Summerlin is home to 150 parks, which means every Summerlin resident has a park within walking distance of home. Major community parks are located in the heart of most villages. These parks are significantly larger in size and feature a wide variety of athletic fields and courts. Popular features include tennis and basketball courts and baseball and soccer fields. Sand volleyball and bocce ball courts, swimming pools, a football field and outdoor roller rink are located in select community parks.

Trails are located in every Summerlin village, making it easy for runners, cyclists or walkers to travel, exercise and socialize in the community. The Summerlin trail system spans 150 miles, connecting neighborhoods to parks, schools, retail centers and houses of worship. In fact, Howard Hughes has received several national awards for its trails, including the inaugural 2008 American Trails Developer Award.

Summerlin is near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The 200,000-acre conservation area features more than 2,000 climbing routes, nearly two dozen hiking trails and a 13-mile scenic loop that attracts cycling and running enthusiasts from around the world.

"Summerlin's abundant recreational offerings, especially during the beautiful and temperate fall season, beckon residents of all ages to get outside and be active," Orrock said. "And a healthy, active life is motivating and rewarding."

For more information on Summerlin's outdoor amenities, visit summerlin.com.

Summerlin began to take shape in 1990 and has ranked in the country's top 10 best-selling master-planned communities for nearly two decades.

Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin encompasses 22,500 acres with about 7,500 acres still remaining to accommodate future growth within the master plan.

For more information on Summerlin, visit www.summerlin.com or www.facebook.com/summerlinlv.