Work under way on several new parks in Henderson

Henderson is expected to get a little greener in the next year with the development of five parks.

The city has received numerous awards for its parks and praise from the community. But just because the Parks and Recreation Department has high ratings doesn't mean it plans to stop creating services.

"Parks are important assets for any community, and in Henderson, they play an integral role in our quality of life," said Mary Ellen Donner, director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

The five projects, which total close to $70 million, were funded through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. The act allows the Bureau of Land Management to sell public land within a specific boundary.

"Funding from alternate sources such as the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act has enabled us to keep up with growth and meet demand for parks and outdoor recreation opportunities in our community," Donner said.

According to Kim Becker, a spokesperson with the Parks and Recreation Department, the city has received more than $238 million from SNPLMA over the past 10 years.

"When we apply for funding, it is for specific projects with the projected dollar amounts for each," Becker said.

If the city said $8 million was to go to a specific project, the funds can be used only toward that project.

Hidden Falls Park, 281 W. Horizon Drive, cost about $8.55 million and is slated to open by the end of summer. It will feature a trail connecting to the Amargosa Trail, as well as a splash pad, skate park and dog park.

Also scheduled to open this summer is Reunion Trails Park, 44 Chapata Drive. The $9.3 million project features a splash pad, a playground under a shaded structure and an open play area.

The parcel is 17 acres, but only 4 acres are for a permanent park. The remainder is supposed to be an open turf area, which is slated for a future elementary school.

"We have not heard any news about a school for the near future," Becker said. "At some point, when Clark County is ready, they'll build it."

The next phase of construction is under way at the 160-acre Heritage Park, 350 S. Racetrack Road. Proposed features include a plaza area, multiuse fields, perimeter trails and educational kiosks that talk about conservation.

"Additional phases were part of the original Heritage Park planning process because we knew it could not all be done at once," Becker said. "This is a 160-acre campus, and we've only developed a small part of it thus far."

The project is expected to cost $31 million and is scheduled to be completed by summer 2012.

While some parks are opening in the next few months, construction is set to begin on others.

The City Council voted 5-0 to approve funding and begin construction on Cornerstone Park, 1600 Wigwam Parkway, at the Aug. 2 meeting. Construction could begin as soon as this week.

Plans for the 100-acre park include trails, paved bike lanes, exercise stations, a large open turf area, basketball and volleyball courts, and a rentable plaza for parties and events that accommodates up to 1,000 people.

"At some point, the trails will tie in to what we already have over at Arroyo Grande Park and Pittman Wash," Becker said. "We're very early along in the process."

The proposed project is $16.4 million.

A construction bid for Mission View Park, which is proposed for the corner of Annet Street and Horizon Ridge Parkway, is slated to go out by September.

The City Council must approve the bid at its October meeting. If approved, construction is scheduled to start in late October and be finished by summer 2012.

The $4.5 million project is an 11-acre park featuring basketball courts, a playground, dog park, bicycle parking, public art and a theme of water conservation and efficiency. Becker said the park's trailhead would connect the St. Rose Parkway Trail with Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.

For more information, visit cityof
henderson.com.

Contact Henderson and Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.