Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

More than $77 million in improvements coming to local parks

Joe Shoong and Lewis Family Parks

L.E. Baskow

Lewis Family Park is one of many across the valley that will share in more than $77 million in improvements approved Tuesday by the Clark County Commission.

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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