Photo Credit: City of Henderson
When the city of Henderson, Nev., hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in March to mark the grand opening of its 56^(th) park, residents were thrilled. They had been anxiously awaiting completion of Whitney Mesa Recreation Area and the many amenities it would bring to their neighborhood. What they didn’t know, however, was that the park also has the distinction of being one of Henderson’s most historic and one of the most challenging to build.
During the early planning stages, it was noted that the established neighborhood and developing new communities in the Whitney Mesa area did not have a half-mile access to a neighborhood park (although residents did have access to a recreation center and aquatic complex). In keeping with the city’s objective of having a park or trail within a half-mile of most Henderson homes, it seemed balance could be achieved with the addition of the Whitney Mesa Recreation Area.
Long before a shovel turned dirt, the city invited residents and stakeholder groups to participate in public meetings in order to engage in the planning process. They were asked which amenities they wanted most, how they planned to use the park, and what “flavor” the park should have. Residents expressed an interest in having traditional park amenities, tennis courts, trails, an archery range, and a BMX area.