LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Grass conversion projects meant to conserve water are underway across Southern Nevada. A state law requires all non-functional grass be removed by the end of 2026. FOX5’s Kim Passoth went to Mission Hills Park in Henderson Tuesday to learn more about the City of Henderson’s effort.
“It’s about 25-28 acres… heavily used, has huge grass fields… the hill on the outside of the field, that’s the turf we will be removing, everything on the flat stays,” described Preston Goodman Municipal Forester for the City of Henderson. Under state law passed in 2023, all nonfunctional grass, grass no one really uses, must be removed across the Vegas Valley.
“And you’ve got a really tight deadline on that,” Passoth asked Goodman.
“Yes, we do,” Goodman responded.
“At this park, we’re removing 88,000 square feet… just that little bit… will save over 5,000,000 gallons of water annually,” Goodman explained. Goodman walked and mapped dozens of city parks with the Southern Nevada Water Authority to determine what grass stays and what goes.
“We are keeping as much grass for our residents as we can… We are only removing what we essentially need to remove,” Goodman contended.
Donovan Bowman who was picnicking at the park with his girlfriend Tuesday afternoon has been going to Mission Hills since he was a kid.
“Saving water here is extremely important. It’s been a drought for decades now. It’s a very good thing,” Bowman said sharing his views the city’s conservation effort.
How will a possible federal funding pause impact the city’s timeline?
“We’re like everybody. We’re kind of wait and see,” Goodman reported.
The Clark County School District is also making big water saving changes. Trustees recently approved $4.8 million dollars in contracts to replace natural grass with artificial turf sports fields at high schools throughout the district. CCSD sharing this information with FOX5:
“As part of its commitment to being a good community partner, the Clark County School District (CCSD) works with the Southern Nevada Water Authority on water conservation measures. Over the past few years, CCSD has converted 29 football fields, totaling over 2.4 million square feet, from natural grass to synthetic turf. The District is also working to convert an additional 6.2 million square feet of natural grass to water-smart landscaping and water-efficient technologies. By converting to turf, we will save 986 million gallons of water annually.
The turf products being installed are made of more natural and alternative materials than historically available in the marketplace. In addition, the plant material installed is based on SNWA’s regulations of meeting 50 percent shade coverage at maturity.”
Right now, the City of Henderson is about halfway through making changes at 50 parks, completing about 21 parks so far. Newer parks built in last decade or so were already designed with water conservation in mind and don’t need to be changed.
The city also wants to hear from you. A survey on the city’s plan to address climate challenges is open through Friday.
Here is a link:
All-In Henderson Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Community Survey
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