City of North Las Vegas, Nevada

Services Provided:  Civil Engineering, Water/Wastewater, Storm Water Management, Land Planning, Landscape Architecture

Project Description: CVL developed a park master plan for a dilapidated historic site located between residential and industrial developments.  The site contains the state’s oldest adobe building, and a rare active artesian spring.  CVL was tasked with developing a park plan that addressed the site’s history, merged the needs of very divergent stakeholders (preservation versus recreation), and was constructible with little available funding.  A master plan, Archeological and Historic Reports, and a Biological Assessment were generated.

CVL’s program included both sustainable and environmental benefits to the site. The design of a natural/soft surface pathway system, interpretive signage, restoration of the adobe structure and historic site features including the ranch entry drive, spring-fed irrigation, an orchard and rehabilitation of the artesian spring included historically correct sustainable materials and techniques. Additionally, the historic portion of the park was secured with an eightfoot high view fence, gated for public access. Public access was provided for the northern portion of the park, with two small pervious DG parking lots providing parking and dramatic overlooks. Bioswales, infiltration basins and the pervious paving help filter and decrease runoff into the spring.

Education and environmental awareness integrated into the design will help facilitate additional funding via the Environmental Protection Agency and Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. The restoration, protection, and interpretation of cultural features will create a sense of heritage and pride, demonstrate historic sustainable building practices, and provide a visitor destination. Additionally, by designing around the cultural features CVL was able to save critical components of the historical buildings, enabling funding as well as preserving the integrity of the site.