Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting – October 7, 2025
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting – October 7, 2025
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission met on October 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM (approximate start) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The meeting included reports on public safety enforcement, park maintenance, recreation programs, aquatics, and CAPRA accreditation, as well as public comment and approval of future meeting schedules.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (September 2, 2025): The commission unanimously approved the final minutes by reference. Motion by Vice Chair Niger, seconded by Commissioner Zamora (Ward 3). All in favor, none opposed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alicia Murkey (Volunteer, Community Healing Garden): Presented highlights of volunteer activities at the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden during September and October 2025. She reported 158 volunteers contributed countless hours, including groups from an LDS youth group (70 volunteers), American Heritage girls troop (12), UNLV students (15), and others. A tile fundraiser raised $884.54 for the Mayor's Fund; 600 tiles are needed to complete walls. Murkey thanked the city for ongoing support and described the garden as a place of peace and healing for survivors and the community. Commissioner Zamora (Ward 5) and others expressed gratitude for her work.
Discussion Items
- Department of Public Safety Report (Lieutenant Cheryl Manning): Presented enforcement data from January–September 2025 compared to 2024. Citywide enforcement increased 39.2% due to proactive patrols. The Copra Curve Strategy is active at three parks: Justice Levitt, Lorenzi, and Kianga Osaka Palacia. Top violations citywide: remaining in park after hours, unlawful presence in children's parks, misuse of park property. Ward-level breakdowns showed the highest increases: Ward 6 (+193.3%), Ward 1 (+49.8%), Ward 3 (+49.3%). Commissioners asked about definition of "unlawful presence in children's park" (requires child under 12), records checks on violators, park closure signage, and 24-hour marshal patrols. Lieutenant Manning noted collaboration with the MORE team to connect homeless individuals with resources.
- Park Maintenance Updates (Steve Glimp, Manager): Provided updates by ward: Ward 1 – bronze plaque at Betty Wilson, upcoming pickleball conversion at Bob Baskin; Ward 2 – ADA sidewalk at Veterans Memorial, upcoming ADA access at Walleypite Trail Park; Ward 3 – Healing Garden resealed papers, upcoming irrigation pump rebuild at Mayfair Park; Ward 4 – curbing at Dranco Hills pickleball courts, continuing work on Police Memorial playground; Ward 5 – new fencing at Lorenzi and Ethel Pearson parks; Ward 6 – new bocce borders at Gil Creek Brothers, Eagle Scout project to remove barbed wire at Floyd Lamb. Commissioner Burgos (Ward 6) requested signage at Floyd Lamb regarding free entry for disabled/military; Glimp agreed to follow up. Deputy Director Pat O'Mara noted capacity limits exist at event venues like Sammy Davis.
- Recreation Centers & Aquatics Updates (Lisa Tover, Manager; Civante Manor, Supervisor): Tover reported September 2025 activity check-ins increased 7% year-over-year. Popular programs include citizenship classes, teen scene, after-school program, table tennis, and beginner Taekwondo. Adaptive recreation team held Camp Chella for 40–45 adults with disabilities. A new monthly registration model starts January 2026. Halloween events listed. Civante Manor provided aquatics update: new regional aquatic facility opening spring 2026; sports sampler class introduced to boost participation in underserved areas; partnerships with American Red Cross ($12,000 for 600 swim lessons), Float Like a Duck ($5,000), and Move Your Way for free swim at Baker Pool. Junior guard camp had five sold-out sessions. Challenges include lifeguard wage competition, health district mandates, and space demand. Commissioner Cornwell suggested offering honor society credits to attract lifeguards; Manor will explore.
- CAPRA Accreditation Update (Pat O'Mara, Deputy Director): Explained the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies process involving 154 standards (36 fundamental). The department is working toward accreditation (reapplying after losing during recession). Evidence of compliance due December 16, 2025; team site visit expected spring 2026 (March–June); determination at NRPA conference 2026. Key benefit: standardization of procedures. Commissioner Stitt (Ward 1) congratulated staff and offered support. Chair Becker noted standards represent best practices.
- 2026 Meeting Calendar & Presentation Schedule (Action Item): Proposed schedule presented by Pat O'Mara: January – bylaws review; February – admin division; March – budget for FY27; April – active adult classes; May – volunteerism report; June – Get Outdoors Nevada final report; July–August – dark; September – ADA compliance update; October – CAPRA celebration; November – next year's list; December – dark. Commission members may suggest agenda items. Motion to approve by Vice Chair Niger, seconded by Commissioner Arminian. Unanimously approved.
Commission Member Reports
- Commissioner Burgos (Ward 6): Thanked recreation for Women’s Warrior wellness event. Announced Gil Creek Brothers Park cleanup on October 25, 2025 (9 AM–noon), in partnership with Get Outdoors Nevada.
- Chair Becker (Ward 2): Announced new Councilwoman Akara Kelly for Ward 2. Upcoming events: Trunk or Treat movie night (Hocus Pocus) at Bruce Trent Park on October 10, 2025 (6 PM), and a breakfast pause on October 25, 2025 (9–10 AM) at Veterans Memorial Community Center.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes of September 2, 2025 meeting (unanimous).
- Approved 2026 meeting calendar and presentation schedule (unanimous).
- (All reports and updates were for information only; no votes taken on enforcement, maintenance, recreation, or CAPRA items.)
- Next regular meeting scheduled for November 4, 2025 (per monthly pattern).
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 5:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Hey, welcome everybody. This is the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission of October 7th, 2025. Welcome. So items today listed on the agenda may be taken out of the order presented. Two or more agenda items for consideration may be combined, and any item on the agenda may be removed or related discussion may be delayed at any time. Backup material for this agenda may be obtained from Luanne D. Holmes, City Clerk at the office of the City Clerk 495 South Main Street, second floor on the web or on the web city's webpage at Las Vegas Nevada.gov. I'd now like to do a call to order and roll call, please. Chair Becker. I hear. Vice Chair Niger. Commissioner Arminian. Here. Commissioner Gabray. Commissioner Howard? Here. Commissioner Keller. Excuse. Commissioner Martin. Here. Commissioner Zamora. Here. Commissioner Burgos. Here. Commissioner Cornwall. Here. Commissioner Robinson. Present. Commissioner Stitt. Excuse Commissioner Vaucitts. Present. Commissioner Jones. Present. Commissioner Wool. Excuse you have a quorum. Thank you. Moving to agenda item number two. Uh, this is the announcement regarding compliance with open meeting law. Are we in compliance? We are. Thank you. Item number three. This is an item for public comment. Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, come forward and give your name for the record. The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any single speaker is allowed may be limited. Seeing no one for public comment, we will move to agenda item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of September 2nd, 2025. If everybody has read the meeting minutes, do I have um a motion to approve? Second. Great.
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