The Springs Preserve includes colorful desert botanical gardens, museum galleries, outdoor concert & event venues, an indoor theater, historic photo gallery & a series of walking trails that meander through a wetland habitat.
The Gardens at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, previously known as the Desert Demonstration Gardens opened in 1980 at another location. The gardens now occupy 8 acres within the Springs Preserve site.
Springs history
The Springs Preserve is the
site of a natural oasis. Over 10,000 years ago, springs broke through the desert
floor, creating grassy meadows (called las vegas by Spanish explorers). The bubbling
springs were a source of water for Native Americans living here thousands of years
ago. It also sustained travelers of the Old Spanish Trail & Mormons who came
to settle the West. American traveler John C. Fremont camped at the springs in
1844. The springs stopped flowing to the surface in 1962 as the water table dropped
as more water was pumped out to meet the demands of a growing population than
was being replaced by rainfall & snow melt.
The springs & associated infrastructure have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978 & are marked as Nevada Historical Marker 40.
Springs Preserve history
While
construction on the preserve began in 2005, the custom designed sound wall separating
the site from U.S. Route 95 had been erected earlier. There also was work over
the years to maintain & restore the springs, the waterworks & infrastructure
of the springs. The Preserve opened on June 8, 2007.
Green building
efforts
The Preserve shows people how to live in the desert environment &
how to take advantage of what is available. Part of this project showcases a dual
use concept. For example, the parking area is actually the roof of the reservoir
& the shade structures in various areas are photovoltaic cells used to generate
power for the site.
The gardens also use a fleet of hydrogen powered utility vehicles. The vehicles are refueled on site by a solar powered hydrogen fueling station.
Major exhibits
Origen Experience is comprised of three interactive
exhibits. Each exhibit is filled with stories about the Las Vegas Valley, following
a natural progression from the past to the present.
Desert Living Center is
a campus of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) buildings features
interactive galleries, educational opportunities, a design lab & technical
training center.
Trails -- Walk four uniquely-themed trails that encompass
more than 1.8 miles of picturesque landscapes leading to a cienega.
Springs
Preserve amphitheater Las Vegas' only intimate outdoor venue surrounded by museums
& gardens.
Nevada State Museum a new building for the museum with an expected
opening in 2009.
A Information page or directory on the State of Nevada & Las Vegas
100s of great websites http://www.lonympics.co.uk/
The Entrance to the Internet Sea Safari, with more creatures many of us have never seen before
Things to in the Faeroes, & more Things to in many places Sites
A to B - B to A Travel & fact guide
The Entrance to the second land, Internet Safari, the wildlife safari of the web
The Entrance to the Internet World Botany Park, the smallest of our tours
The Killers, the Major New Band
A Safari Price Comparision Website
Happy Holidays Deals, go here if your looking for a Holiday or Vacation tour or hotel at times
Cryptology Nevada specifically & South West USA generally
The Lonympics World History Tour, a short tour round the world looking at some fascinating thing
The facts in this page on Nevada were updated in December 2007