Henderson seeks bids for 2 new park projects

By Conor Shine

Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011 | 4:36 a.m.

The Henderson parks system is getting more trails, improved connectivity and some new amenities — including a campsite and a BMX bike park — as part of two separate multi-million dollar projects.

Contracts for work on projects near the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center and the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex were sent out for bid Tuesday night by the Henderson City Council.

Construction on both could start as early as January. They would be funded through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.

The first project is a $12 million upgrade to a 20-acre site between the Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve and nearby recreation center, between Russell Road and Sunset Road west of Galleria Drive.

The project will add 10 tennis courts, trails, a lighted BMX bike park with jumps and a campsite for use by scouts and other groups.

Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Kim Becker said the new project, dubbed the Whitney Mesa Recreation Area, will offer a mix of active and passive recreation and serve as a key link between the nature preserve and recreation center.

The area is expected to be open by fall 2012.

A separate $11 million project will get underw ay in a few months near the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex.

When the work will start is contingent on the resolution of a dispute between the city and residents over the fate of Pittman Wash, which runs adjacent to the project site.

Upgrades to the 60-acre area will include nearly six more miles of trails, as well as a 2.5-acre dog park and an open area designed for mountain biking.

The trails will link the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex to the Union Pacific Railroad Trail and the under-construction Cornerstone Park, Becker said.

“This will add elements of connectivity to a heavily used area,” she said. “We’ll have more physical trails to make it more pedestrian friendly.”

Part of the $11 million price tag has already been spent to repair fields and install shade and netting at Arroyo Grande Sports Complex. The last phase of the project, including the trails and new amenities, is scheduled to open in the late summer of 2012.