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Cultural Scene and Heard: A Decade of Development – Ten Years in the Life of Henderson, NV
By Aly Wagonseller
Maybe you remember 2004. The Zip Code Magazines had just hit the scene with our first issue of 89052, and our city of Henderson was in full bloom, growing at a phenomenal rate and making a name on both the local and national levels as one of the best places for a growing family to take roots. Then….well… most of us remember what happened in 2007 and beyond. The housing bubble debacle left many small town government entities low on property tax revenues, leaving little resources available for much more than simple survival.
Fast forward to today and you’ll discover that despite some bumpy years on the economy front, Henderson, Nevada has continued to flourish. Growing in population by more than 36,000 people in the past decade, the city has added new entertainment venues, parks and trails, and businesses to enhance a community lifestyle that delights all of us who call Henderson home.
Here’s a look back at a few of the larger additions to Henderson that we’ve written about over the past ten years, and why they continue to make Henderson the city we love.
That’s Entertainment
Besides the Henderson Pavilion, a facility opened in 2002 that continues to provide world class productions for the masses, Nevada’s first public outdoor events space, The Henderson Events Plaza, joined the party in 2006. Located adjacent to Henderson City Hall and the Henderson Convention Center, the facility seats 900 attendees and is the hub for many of the Downtown Water Street District events. The ArtBeat series sponsored by Target is one of the many family friendly activities offered at the Events Center, allowing kids and grownups alike to experience art displays, crafts, demonstrations and concerts. In addition to this family friendly affair, the Henderson Events Plaza hosts several signature events throughout the year. Annual events include:
- Heritage Parade and Festival
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
- Super Run
- Art Festival of Henderson
- Ho’olaule’a Festival
- WinterFest
- Off-Road Desert Race
For dates and information about these and other events, visit www.Hendersonlive.com.
Encompassing the surrounding areas of the Event Center and City Hall, The Downtown Water Street District has also seen changes over the past ten years. A Redevelopment effort has readied the area for future growth, allowing for more convenient parking and ease of doing business for retail stores, bars and restaurants. The new Historic Walking Tour in the area offers a stroll that’s just under a mile and includes an informative and colorful account of the development of Henderson, starting with its birth during the industrialization period to support World War II efforts to the vibrant city it has become today. To begin the self-guided tour, visit the front desk in the Henderson Convention Center to pick up the tour map, or go to www.waterstreetdistrict.com for a downloadable version of the tour.
For the Active Family
Unlike many communities that had to cut back on developing parks and recreational trails, Henderson has several new additions to the landscape. The 160-acre Heritage Park, located at 350 Racetrack Rd., is the largest multi-use sports complex in the Las Vegas Valley. It features 13 lighted, full-sized multipurpose fields and two lighted 90-foot baseball fields. The campus is also home to the 5-acre Bark Park dog park, LEED Gold certified Heritage Park Aquatic Complex, and the 29,667-square-foot LEED Gold certified Heritage Park Senior Facility. The 100-acre Cornerstone Park, 1600 Wigwam Pkwy., opened in June 2013, and is accented by a 31-acre lake. Housing running trails and a tranquil, suburban-like feel, the park hosts some of the city’s most visible outdoor events including Bark in the Park and the Southern Nevada Trails Day Celebration. Also in 2013, Whitney Mesa Recreation Area, 1661 Galleria Dr., opened for public use featuring a lighted tennis complex, basketball court, playground, archery range, day camp, and a walking course, along with a representation of the architecture that resided in decades past.
In addition to developed parks, the pristine wilderness in the Henderson area has become easier to explore with the designation of several new trails in the landscape. Most notable is the River Mountains Loop Trail whose paths were dedicated as a National Recreation Trail in May of 2010. The 35-mile paved multi-use and multi-jurisdictional trail connects Henderson, Boulder City, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the rest of the Las Vegas Valley, providing ample opportunity for hiking and sightseeing in the area. For information on trails and parks in the City of Henderson, visit www.cityofhenderson.com.
The past ten years have been a challenging, yet successful time for our award winning city. With prudent fiscal responsibility and a master plan aimed at creating superior quality of life for its residents, we can rest assured that the future of Henderson’s looking bright.
I do not live in a zip code where your magazines are mailed to, where else is your magazine available?
Hi Mark – you can email mpescio@ppplv.com and we will be happy to add you to our mailing list with the closest zip code to your home.