North Las Vegas may charge to use new park

North Las Vegas' new 150-acre park was conceived to be one of the city's crown jewels: a free oasis where families can stroll, picnic and play.

Craig Ranch Regional Park still may be an oasis when it opens around June of next year. But the "free" part -- maybe not so much.

The cash-strapped city is considering charging visitors who use the park on Craig Road at Commerce Street to help offset more than $2 million a year in operation and maintenance costs. It's an idea that seems popular with no one.

"We have so few parks around here," Mayor Shari Buck said. "I'd like to be able to continue to provide free recreation."

James Olive, chairman of the city's parks and recreation advisory board, called it "really discouraging" to think about charging visitors to the park.

Still, "when all is said and done, we have to do what's practical."

The $120 million park -- paid for with federal funds generated from the sale of public land -- will have lots of green areas and trails, playgrounds, a dog park, a skate park, baseball fields, and courts for tennis, volleyball and basketball.

"This is a signature facility in the valley," said Mike Henley, the city's deputy director of community services and development. "It really puts North Las Vegas on the map."

The city hopes to draw 750,000 visitors to the park each year. Officials have considered charging an entrance fee of $5 per car or $65 for an annual pass, with fees to use the skate and dog parks.

The entrance fee is the least popular option, and the city is trying to find a way to operate the park without it.

"I don't like the idea of charging just to come play on the grass and picnic with your family," Buck said.

The city plans to raise money through community events at the park and by renting out the fields and other portions for special events.

Olive hopes a "friends of the park"-type group will help raise funds and lessen the need for fees to the public.

The idea to turn the former golf course into a park was hatched years ago before the recession hit. Since then, North Las Vegas officials had to trim more than $60 million from the city's general fund and cut or freeze nearly 1,000 city jobs. It faces a $15 million budget shortfall for fiscal 2013, which starts July 1.

The city was nearly forced to close two recreation centers last year to help bridge a budget shortfall. The idea met with opposition from residents. The centers remained open after the city reached last-minute contract concession agreements with its police unions.

Budget problems contributed to the park's opening being delayed more than a year, Henley said. The park brings an estimated $2.2 million annual bill for operation and maintenance. The city wants to recover at least 60 percent of the park's costs through special events, donations and, potentially, admission fees. It is working with a consultant to develop a business plan for the park.

The City Council will discuss a draft of that plan at 6 p.m. today at City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Craig Ranch became a golf course in the 1960s. North Las Vegas acquired the property in 2005 after negotiations with the Bureau of Land Management and golf course owners.

"When we began to plan for the park, it was much different times," Henley said. "Now, the whole game plan's changed."

The mayor said she's excited for the opening of the "premier, beautiful" park.

"We just have to find the level of service we're going to be able to provide there."

Olive thinks residents would be willing "to pay a few bucks" to use the park if necessary.

"There's going to be a lot of things to do out there," he said. "It's such a diamond in the rough."

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com.