HENDERSON, NV – Henderson’s Arroyo Grande Sports Complex is being restored, rejuvenated and growing. The aging softball fields, which made their debut in 1996, are reopening with new grass. “I started playing softball in the late 90’s when Arroyo was one of the premier softball complexex in the country. It will be nice to be able to refer to it as one of the top softball complexes again,” said longtime Las Vegas softball player and Long Haul Bomber Champion Denny Crine. The fields are switching from Fescue grass to hybrid Bermuda turf which is more popular for professional fields, provides a better surface for action and will last longer. “The fields were originally built with grass infields but they were removed about five years ago. It was a mistake to take them out because that was what we were known for. When we bring them back we will be the only fields in Southern Nevada to have them,” states Park Operations Manager Doug Guild.

The City of Henderson’s Project GREEN (Green Valley Ecology, Environment and Nature) is a restoration program addressing both the Sports Complex and surrounding Pitman Wash area restoring Henderson’s largest sports complex and enhancing areas of natural habitat in the Green Valley area. Thanks to funding by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act the ball fields will also be getting shaded bleachers and new outfield netting to protect spectators and passing cars. In addition to the field upgrade there will be a pedestrian footbridge over Pittman Wash, improvements to entryways and walkways, additional parking and a tournament plaza that is planned to serve as a central gathering place. Additionally Public Works Department planners are designing a 160-foot tunnel to run beneath American Pacific Drive that will link the sports complex to the detention basin. The Pittman Wash area is the proposed site for a dog park and a dirt BMX bicycle course. The tunnel will connect with the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex on the north side to a trail on the south side that goes to the Cornerstone Park site via the Union Pacific Railroad Trail. Cornerstone Park will be a 100-acre park on a former gravel pit, complete with a 40-acre lake as its centerpiece. Cornerstone Park is slated to begin construction later this year.