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North Las Vegas outlines turf-conversion plan, parks expansion and multiple capital projects
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Summary
City staff told the advisory board that a turf-conversion program (over 250,000 sq ft estimated) and other park projects are in design or procurement; staff estimated nearly 14 million gallons of annual water savings and more than $300,000 in rebates (as referenced in-meeting), and provided timelines for multiple park upgrades and events.
Erin Reiswerg, park project manager, briefed the Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Advisory Board on Feb. 10 about a package of parks projects including a citywide turf-conversion program, trail and park expansions, Project Sparkle phases, and other capital improvements.
On the turf conversion, Reiswerg said design consultants are under review, a construction manager at risk has been selected, and construction is anticipated to start this summer with completion near the end of the year. She listed 13 parks included in the program and said the city estimates it will remove more than 250,000 square feet of turf. Reiswerg told the board the city expects to recover more than $300,000 in rebates (referenced in-meeting as "S and W" rebates) if the program proceeds as planned, and estimated water savings of nearly 14,000,000 gallons per year "which equates to about 20 Olympic sized pools."
Board members raised questions about recent media coverage and concerns that turf removal could harm trees. Reiswerg said the city has worked with the referenced water authority to identify locations where turf should remain and where it can be removed; she said the city intends to keep more turf in parks than originally proposed, will increase irrigation for trees, and will replace tree materials where species are unlikely to thrive after conversion.
Reiswerg also provided briefings on several other projects: Beltway Trail Phase 2 (design expected to start within three to four months), the Children's Science and Nature Park (a 14-acre STEM park planned at Willie McCool Regional Park with UNLV and UNR discussions under way and a consultant on board), and a 20-acre addition to Craig Ranch Regional Park that will expand amenities including playgrounds, a splash pad, multiple pickleball courts, an exercise court, restrooms, picnic areas and a pedestrian/vehicular bridge.
Project Sparkle Phase 1 (Valley View Park, College Park, Rotary Tot Lot, Brooks Tot Lot) is at conformed construction-document stage with construction expected through the end of the year; Phase 2 (Jo Neap, Flores, Goldcrest, Prentice Walker) is at about 60% design with funding prioritized for Prentice Walker and Jo Neap. Reiswerg said some parks will receive upgraded LED lighting and that the splash pad at Prentice Walker will be configured to operate independently of the pool so it can be open when the pool is closed.
Other staff updates included an AMP roof completion at Craig Ranch, parking-lot paving at Cheyenne Sports Complex (expected in March), Kyle Ranch Phase 6 moving to bid this summer, and confirmation that SafeKey program hours will not be affected by these projects. Doug Geil said recent tournaments at Craig Ranch drew between 7,500 and 10,000 attendees per day and noted the economic benefit to nearby businesses.
Board members asked for further details and requested the project team return with designs and renderings for specific projects (Cheyenne Sports Complex and Kyle Ranch Phase 6) at future meetings. Reiswerg agreed to add those items to future agendas.
