Summerlin wins design award

The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of the master-planned community of Summerlin, received the American Trails Developer Award Nov. 17 at the National Trails Awards Banquet and Symposium in Little Rock, Ark. The award recognizes developers who establish quality, well-designed, multi-use trail systems within private developments. It is the only award of its kind in the nation.

American Trails, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to trail interests, first learned of Summerlin's commitment to trail design and development at the Southern Nevada Trail Summit held in 2007 at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Hosted by the Outside Las Vegas Foundation, the summit garnered national attention by trail enthusiasts across the country.

According to Jim Wood, executive board member of American Trails, The Howard Hughes Corp. is well deserving of the inaugural American Trails Developer Award

"Summerlin's extensive trail system is a model of efficient planning, design and public and private partnerships," Wood said, of the community's 150-mile trail system that connects neighborhoods to amenities throughout Summerlin and the greater Las Vegas Valley. "It takes public and private partnerships to establish a comprehensive trail network that provides access to trails from the doorsteps of American homes. The role of private developers is more critical than ever, particularly in light of the fact that trails are the No. 1 community amenity homeowners seek when buying a home, according to the National Association of Home Builders."

The Howard Hughes Corp. conducts routine resident surveys that echo this claim. "Trails rank well ahead of parks, golf courses and other recreational facilities in terms of both use and popularity among our residents," said Tom Warden, senior vice president of community and government relations for The Howard Hughes Corp. "Our last resident survey indicated that approximately 70 percent of respondents use the trails at least once every few weeks. On any given day, thousands of Summerlin residents can be seen walking, running or cycling on one of the community's trails."

The Summerlin trail system includes five types of planned trails -- street-side, village, bike, regional and natural.

According to Warden, Summerlin is well known for its tree-lined, street-side trails. "It's a hallmark that originated with the development of the community's first villages and one that continues to distinguish Summerlin from other community's throughout the Las Vegas Valley," he said.

The regional trails will provide a link to Bureau of Land Management property in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and are being designed for multiple, non-motorized uses.

They will be constructed as a public and private partnership by Clark County and the city of Las Vegas in cooperation with The Howard Hughes Corp.

"Summerlin's trail system will eventually connect to more than 2,000 miles of regional trails, making it one of the most comprehensive and efficient trail systems in the Southwest," Warden said.

For more information on Summerlin, call 888-898-5015 or visit summerlin.com.