Lamb to change hands

Las Vegas to take over state-run park in June 2007

Advertisement

In 1962 the largest excavation in the world at that time was done in northwest Las Vegas, adjacent to what is now known as Floyd Lamb State Park.

The dig, which was supposed to determine when man first appeared in the area, unearthed evidence of American camel, mammoth, bison and saber tooth cats.

The dig was inconclusive and most of the findings were reburied. Some of the findings are on display in the museum located on park grounds at 9200 Tule Springs Road. That was the last time the area was formally studied.

On Thursday, a meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive, to discuss plans for this public and mostly untouched land.

The state-run park will be taken over by the city of Las Vegas in June 2007 and some locals are concerned.

"We're worried they're going to start selling the park off to developers once the city takes over," said Rannie Beaver, a ranch hand with Sagebrush-Ranch, which operates at Floyd Lamb State Park. "The public needs to get involved and keep this historic park here."

Other citizens are unsure what the future will hold for the park.

"It's not that the state park system has been such a good steward," said Don White, vice president of Citizens Action Committee for Tule Springs (CACTUS). "The park has been mostly under-funded, but we know what the state does. They're not going to sell the land. The city is an unknown entity."

White is one of a group of northwest residents who started CACTUS in 1999 to protect the park and other ways of rural life.

"Our concerns with the city is it's never been adequately explained to anybody why they want it," White said. "All the cities want the land. They want to take it over for selfish gain. They don't want to preserve any of it."

Ward 6 City Councilman Steve Ross said the city was excited to take on the park and that leaders plan to preserve it.

"The state didn't have the resources to take care of the park. If the city doesn't do this, who will?" Ross said. "Tule Springs is a great asset in the city. We have a responsibility to protect it and we have the opportunity to do so."

The park does have some protection from being sold or developed because it is listed on the National Register as a Historic District and 1,100 acres of the 2,000-acre park is on a 99-year, long-term lease from the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Anything done on BLM land must be approved by the United States government.

"I've seen the city break the rules in the past," said Stephen Santee, Nevada state park ranger.

White said he is concerned because under BLM guidelines, the land could be used for public purposes such as fire stations or ball fields. He said CACTUS does not want to see any development done in the park's open spaces.

"We're concerned with every square inch of the park but think the city wants the open space because it's valuable real estate," White said.

White said his group has a lot of ideas for the park, including equestrian trails and use areas, historical buildings open for visitors, a visitor center with tours, restoration of the Old Adobe building and natural use areas with walking trails.

The park contains four small ponds for fishing. Trout, large mouth bass and catfish are available during different times of the year. There are walking and biking trails and 90 picnic areas. There are two group reservation areas with barbecue facilities. The first location can hold up to 500 people and the second up to 75.

Tours are available upon request for groups. Individuals can pick up information on the park at the ranger's office and follow the self-guided tour, which includes information about the 15 historical structures on park grounds.

Santee said visitors to the park can see all the wildlife found in the desert as well as a flock of peacocks.

There is a lot of open space including grass areas and natural desert areas and an abundance of mature trees.

The park is home to Sagebrush Ranch and Humphrey's Horses, which both offer lessons and rides.

The Las Vegas Gun Club also has an outdoor range at the park.

"I have the opportunity to protect the area for the future," Ross said. "What an asset this will be. It will be the city's largest park."

White said taking care of the park is going to cost more money than city officials are prepared for.

"The scariest part is that the city doesn't realize what they are getting," White said. "I don't think they've grasped the enormity of the things that need to be done."

Thursday's meeting will be run by Greenways Incorporated, hired by the city to lead the planning effort for Floyd Lamb State Park. JW Zunino and Associates will join in this effort.

Charles A. Flink, president of Greenways Incorporated said, in an e-mail, that at the meeting representatives will introduce the project purpose and define the scope of work and timeline for completing the master plan for the park. Officials also will discuss the public involvement process in detail. Flint said the team has already been hard at work, and has produced an existing conditions report.

"My understanding is that we're supposed to have public meetings," Santee said. "My fear is they've already hired a consultant to do the master plan. How much will be done before the meeting? Will they be willing to change?"