One final Floyd workshop

Resident group leader pleased with plan

Greenways Inc. and JW Zunino and Associates held the final public workshop to discuss plans for Floyd Lamb State Park, which will be transferred from the state to the city in June 2007. The meeting was held on Oct. 30 at Silverstone Golf Club.

The public was invited to view and comment on the preferred alternatives for the park at 9200 Tule Springs Road. The plans call for improvements and some changes.

"I'm personally very happy with it," said Don White, vice president of the Citizens Action Committee for Tule Springs. "Everything was addressed the way we wanted it."

The 683-acre park core will be enlarged to add two lakes, more picnic and outdoor activity areas, and a loop road around the entire park.

"The main things we are hoping for are the new entranceway into the park and for the visitors' center to have a paleontological and archaeological museum," White said.

The plans also include historic building improvements. The majority of the structures within the park's historic area are on the National Registry for Historic Places. The city of Las Vegas planning and development department said that most of the buildings require cosmetic improvements, however, several buildings require more costly structural improvements. At a minimum, planners want all structures to be improved to enable park visitors to explore the interior and experience the lifestyle typical of the Tule Springs Ranch.

The city also wants to improve lake conditions. According to Las Vegas Open Spaces, the water quality of the four existing lakes should be assessed as a first step. The lakes are a habitat for fish, which are being caught and consumed by the public. The vegetation in and surrounding the edges of the lakes should enhance wildlife, require little maintenance, and have the ability to thrive without living in a marshland condition per the 1987 State Master Plan.

White said there could be a small concession stand with bait, lures and snacks for sale and fishing poles for rent.

"They are going to try to be self-supportive and try to generate funds," White said. "They will probably continue the fee."

There is currently an entrance fee of $6 per car or $45 annually.

The 1,040 acres of Recreation and Public Purpose land, which is on a 99-year long-term lease from the Bureau of Land Management, will not be developed.

"BLM is adamant the land stay a desert preservation area," White said. "Only critical infrastructure can be used in that area. One of the many things we are trying to do is preserve the badlands out there," White said. "That's where the archaeological resources are."

The Las Vegas Railroad Society had wanted to build a park and museum in Floyd Lamb, but the area that members proposed could have many archeological and paleontological specimens, White said.

Planning committee members voted against having the railroad park and museum located in Floyd Lamb.

"We have been working to get in there for three years now," said Trudy Platzer, president of the society.

Platzer said Councilman Steve Ross and Councilman Larry Brown already have scheduled a meeting with her to speak about other northwest locations for the park. The society has been working for seven years to find a home for its park and museum.

"Everyone is very open-minded. It seems like they really want to support this project," Platzer said.

Platzer said she has not given up hope that there will be a railroad park in Las Vegas.

"I'm a fighter and I'm fighting with as much sweetness as I can," Platzer said. "I mean I'm screaming for help, though."

Other plans unveiled at the meeting were multiuse trails for hiking, horseback riding and a mountain bike park with trails.

"I'm elated with the plans," White said. "Whatever they can do to get people to utilize the park."

White said he was assured that there would be full-time staff at the park. Currently, the park ranger lives on site, and White said he was concerned about security because the park has so many buildings on the historic registry.

The plans also include a proposed recreational sports field complex that could include 15 soccer or lacrosse fields and 16 softball or baseball fields. Parking and bus loading areas would be accessed from Horse Drive at the main entrance. Low-profile lighting is recommended to minimize the impact of night lighting.

According to White, many residents and committee members did not want ball fields at the park because years ago they were promised that this wouldn't happen. He said the northwest is in need of fields and is comfortable with them. The ball fields would be located in the southeast portion of the park between Rainbow Boulevard and Torrey Pines and Horse drives.

"That area is the best possible place we can put playing fields," White said. "To the west is the golf course, to the north is open land, and to the east is the (equestrian park)."

There also would be a 40,000-square-foot recreational center located in the center of the sports fields that could provide space for interior sports activities and community gatherings.

"Our only concern is how the city is going to pay for all this," White said. "Real bona fide funding is not there yet."

White said the city plans to use money from the Southern Nevada Land Management Acts but that he still doesn't think that is enough. There also is $4 million available from the state and city fund for the switch, but that is just for maintenance, fixing building infrastructure and painting.

Greenways will suggest various funding sources, will provide a timeline, and will make suggestions on staffing and fees.

Greenways will present a master plan to the city council in February 2007. It will be the council's decision to accept, reject, or modify the plan. A final meeting will be held early next year to unveil the final plan to the public.