Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting – November 4, 2025

The Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission met on November 4, 2025, at 4 p.m. to discuss routine approvals, receive departmental reports, and consider revisions to the facility naming policy. The meeting included updates from the Department of Public Safety, Parks Maintenance, Recreation, and the department’s new five-year strategic plan. Commissioners also shared ward-specific events and recognized a commissioner for volunteer service.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (October 7, 2025): Motion by Commissioner Gorma, seconded by Commissioner Jones. Approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during either the agenda-related comment period or the general citizens’ participation period.

Discussion Items

• Department of Public Safety Report (Item 5): Lieutenant Burdett reported that arrest and citation data for October was not yet available and will be presented at the January 2026 meeting. No questions were raised.
• Parks Maintenance Updates (Item 6): Steve Glimp, Parks Maintenance Manager, provided ward-by-ward project updates, including: repainting the splash pad at Gary Dexter (Ward 1), installing AED units at Kellogg Zaher soccer fields (Ward 2), installing securable gates at JC Levitt Park (Ward 3), shade replacement at Majestic Park (Ward 4), fence painting at Ethel Pearson Park (Ward 5), and regrading/parking lot work at Bradley Park (Ward 6). Commissioner Vocus inquired about the timeline for the Bob Baskin pickleball conversion; Glimp estimated the project would take about one month. Vice Chair Niger asked about heat island mitigation efforts; Glimp noted the preference for wood mulch over decomposed granite due to wind migration, and mentioned bonded rubber mulch as an alternative for certain areas. Commissioner Keller complimented the cleanliness and safety at Rotary Park. Commissioner Jones asked about the D Street center; clarification that it is not a city facility. Commissioner Cornwell asked about notification for Bradley Park work; signs will be posted two weeks in advance, with work expected in early December.
• Recreation and Sports Unit Updates (Item 7): Lisa Tovar, Recreation Manager, reported on successful fall events (trunk retreats, fall festivals) and listed upcoming holiday programs. She announced that five recreation positions are currently frozen or held, and staff have been reassigned to rebalance center staffing. Adam Sakiros, Municipal Sports Coordinator, provided an overview of the sports unit, which oversees 175 athletic spaces across the city. He reported 50–60 local user groups operating nightly and 75–100 annual sporting events. Youth indoor hockey and pickleball are seeing significant growth. Professional partnerships include the Raiders, Golden Knights, and AFC Bournemouth. Commissioner Jones asked about implementing a 30-second shot clock for youth basketball; Sakiros said it is not yet established but could be explored. Commissioner Robinson asked about potential partnerships with the A’s; Tovar indicated future collaboration is anticipated. Commissioner Vocus noted a drop in volleyball participation due to space constraints. Commissioner Burgos asked about adaptive leagues; Tovar referred to the adaptive division, which offers basketball, rugby, and wheelchair football, but no formal youth adaptive leagues at present.
• Strategic Plan Presentation (Item 8): Deputy Director Pat O’Mara presented the department’s five-year strategic plan (2025–2030), developed in-house with the Office of Strategic Services. The plan has three priorities: (1) empower staff through clear job expectations, training, and new classifications for groundskeepers; (2) standardize practices across the department, including facility rental procedures and achieving CAPRA accreditation; (3) deliver high-quality services by maximizing center utilization, establishing event quality standards, improving communication, implementing CityWorks work order software, and collaborating with Public Works on facility renovations. O’Mara noted that updates will be provided annually. No formal action was taken on the plan.
• Naming Policy Revisions (Item 9): O’Mara presented proposed clarifications to the city’s policy for naming parks, recreation facilities, and other city properties. Changes include adding “or designee” to allow action when the director is unavailable, updating language for soliciting name recommendations, adding a provision for ward council members to request name consideration, requiring notification to the relevant council member, defining “amenities” and “naming convention” (e.g., Marty Hennessy Tennis Complex at Lorenzi Park), and giving the ward council member discretion over when a renaming recommendation goes to city council. Commissioner Vocus asked if all council members had reviewed the changes; O’Mara clarified the policy is a city manager policy and was reviewed by the city manager’s office. A motion to approve the revisions was made by Vice Chair Niger, seconded by Commissioner Jones, and passed unanimously.
• Commission Member Reports (Item 10): Commissioner Burgos announced a town hall in Ward 6 on November 6 and a Cowboy Christmas event on December 6 at Floyd Lamb Park. Commissioner Jones highlighted cleanups at Lorenzi Park (November 8) and at Sydney Sioux/Holly (November 15). The Chair noted a family game night at Veterans Memorial Community Center on November 7. Commissioner Cornwell was recognized for receiving a proclamation from the mayor declaring September 17 as Sue Ann Cornwell Day for her volunteer work at the healing garden.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of October 7, 2025, meeting minutes: Passed unanimously.
• Approval of naming policy revisions: Passed unanimously (motion by Vice Chair Niger, second by Commissioner Jones).
• No other formal actions were taken. The DPS data report and strategic plan were informational only.