Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 | 2 a.m.
New soccer fields, basketball courts and splash pads are coming soon to public parks across the valley after commissioners approved more than $77 million in improvement projects.
Public parks have been a big talking point of the Clark County Commission this past year, and at its meeting Tuesday the board made good on its pledge to improve existing parks or finish half-developed ones.
Big-ticket items include $6.5 million for improvements at the Hollywood Regional Park on the far east side, $9.5 million for a park at Wigwam Avenue and Torrey Pines Drive, and $6.1 million toward soccer fields in the southwest. Smaller projects cover bathroom renovations, shade structures and lighting improvements (a complete list of the projects and capital is below).
More than half of the total funds — $40.7 million — came from the county’s capital projects fund. An additional $36.6 million came from the subdivision park fees fund, the southwest public facilities needs assessment fund and the recreational capital improvement fund.
Most of the allocated funds are tied to specific projects. However, Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick’s District B, which encompasses the far north side of the valley, and Commissioner Lawrence Weekly’s District D, which encompasses much of North Las Vegas and part of downtown Las Vegas, were given $5 million and $1 million respectively for projects “to be determined”.
Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani cautioned that the nearly $80 million is not a cure-all or the end of the county’s park efforts.
“It is a step forward,” she added. “I’m glad we could cobble together these funds to start the process.”
The parks department is compiling a comprehensive review of its programming, fee structures and costs to present to the commission, in hopes of ensuring that funding is being allocated equitably in terms of the county initiatives.
The county also is preparing for a parks bond of $150 million. Expected to be issued next year, it would be the commission's first parks bond in nearly two decades.
During the recession, Clark County reduced Parks and Recreation staff and quit allocating money from the general fund, instead allowing the department to live off self-generating funds while depleting its savings. For the current fiscal budget year, which began July 1, the county allocated $1.7 million to parks in order to keep it from going into the red.
Clark County operates a wide variety of parks, open spaces and facilities, including 33 recreation or community centers, 17 public swimming pools and 27 spray facilities. The system includes 108 parks covering 2,125 developed acres.
Park projects funded
EAST VALLEY
Hollywood Regional Park Site Improvements: $6,529,443
Shadow Rock Improvements: $2,352,563
Alexander Villas Phase II Improvements: $1,981,058
Winchester Theater Rehabilitation: $1,554,262
Bob Price Restroom: $893,671
MLK Park Restroom: $733,452
Lewis Park Splash Pad: $587,110
Winterwood Park Covered Picnic Area: $439,522
Joe Shoong Lighting Improvements: $423,670
Hollywood Fitness Room Expansion: $480,857
Shadow Rock Shade Structure: $329,550
Cesar Chavez Playground Shade Shelter: $263,550
Joe Shoong Splash Pad Rehabilitation: $16,240
Lewis Park Basketball Replacement: $12,004
SOUTH VALLEY
Horseman’s Park Covered Flamingo Arena: $5,674,391
Paradise Vista Park Renovations: $1,624,050
McCarran Marketplace Soccer Fields: $1,553,775
Sunset Park – Volleyball Courts Renovation: $940,412
Cannon Middle School Restrooms: $733,452
Cannon Middle School Playground Renovations: $436,734
Sunset Park – Playground/Shade Structure Replacement: $335,777
Whitney Park Playground Shade Structure: $326,778
Desert Bloom Park Playground Resurfacing: $320,000
Silverado Ranch Park Phase II – Renovate Dog Park: $296,050
Sunset Park – Basketball & Tennis Courts Resurfaced: $270,376
Horseman’s Park Announcer Booth & Catwalk: $263,275
Paradise Park Pool Deck Shade Structure: $151,200
Paradise Vista Monument Sign: $25,098
SOUTHWEST VALLEY
Wigwam/Torrey Pines Park: $9,516,342
Mountains Edge Adult Ball Fields: $6,591,898
Southwest Soccer Fields Phase IIA: $6,197,516
Buffalo & Russel Park and Trail: $6,750,761
Southwest Soccer Fields IIA: $2,324,492
WEST VALLEY
Mountains Crest ADA Renovations: $1,551,350
Mountain Crest Landscape Renovations: $551,168
Lone Mountain Trail and Summit Overlook: $282,300
Lone Mountain Tennis Court Conversion: $73,254
NORTH VALLEY
Park Projects/Renovations District B (TBD): $5,011,158
Park Projects/Renovations District D (TBD): $1,000,000
MLK Sr. Center Expansion: $5,875,175
RURAL AREAS
Amphitheater Renovations: $794,762
Overton Playground Renovation: $423,827
Overton Tennis Court Replacement: $225,554
Laughlin Park Basketball Court Improvements: $150,000
Camp Lee Canyon Improvements: $132,750
Laughlin Park Pool Improvements: $185,000
Ron Lewis Park Walking Path: $75,000
Thomas Leavitt Park Improvements: $45,000
Peace Park Improvements: $40,000
Indian Springs Park Improvements: $25,000
Searchlight Town Park Improvements: $10,000
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