Parks Planning Program

The Comprehensive Planning (CP) Parks Planning Program, in conjunction with the Parks & Recreation Department and Real Property Management, facilitates the planning, design and development of parks in Clark County. The program’s goal is to assist with planning to build safe, attractive and functional parks and recreation facilities.

The County’s first park, Camp Lee Canyon, opened in 1961. Camp Lee Canyon was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.The Clark County Parks & Recreation Department was established in 1963, and in 1964 the first urban parks, Paradise Park and Parkdale Park, opened.

In 1967, an old ranch became the origins of Sunset Park, the County’s first regional park.  Also in 1967, Moapa Valley dedicated its first park, Grant Bowler Park. In 2023, the County has 115 urban and rural parks to serve the community. There are also 16 urban area recreation centers and 10 rural area recreation centers, along with 14 pools.

Among the County’s newest parks are Southwest Ridge Park and Trailhead, which opened in 2022; Echo Trail Park, which opened in 2021; Cougar Creek Park, which opened in 2020; and Sagemont Park (Summerlin South), which opened in 2019.

According to the 2023 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Agency Performance Review, proximity to high-quality parks and recreation opportunities consistently is an important factor in people’s decision regarding where to live. Nine in 10 U.S. adults agree that parks and recreation is an important service provided by their local government. The NRPA’s research supports 5 statements that describe the important role of parks and recreation-

1. Parks and recreation promote health and wellness,
2. Parks and recreation drive economic opportunity,
3. Parks and recreation programming and education activities are critical to childhood development,
4. Parks and recreation is everywhere, uniting people and strengthening communities.
5. Parks and recreation is essential and adaptable infrastructure that makes our communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change.

The Clark County Master Plan Recreation (including parks and trails) and Open Space element, begins on page 238-
Clark County Master Plan