Work at Linear Park Nears Completion, Dedication Planned

On Jan. 13, Mayor Keith Larson provided the Lincoln County Record a tour of the Meadow Valley Wash Linear Park project. The development was made possible by grants from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act that awarded the county more than $10.7 million in 2008 for the endeavor.

The project covers more than two miles of walkway, with cosmetic upgrades throughout the length of the walkway. Starting by the railroad tracks in Caliente, the course takes you down the U.S. Highway 93 entrance, by the Rail City Linear Park segment. From the railroad crossing to about the Shady Tree Motel, you see an older set of trees planted included in the first part of the SNPLMA funding.

Walking down to about where the Family Dollar store sits, and crossing the street, you go down by the Graves Segment, A and B. Along this portion of the path, and throughout the remainder of the walk, you see younger trees planted, some of which consist of Yoshino cherry trees that will provide pink and white blooms.

One of the most notable attractions was a split level fence, which, at first glance, appear like wooden fences. However, upon closer inspection, you see they are in fact made of concrete. The material was poured into a mold that ended up looking like natural wood-textured grain.

As you walk along the Meadow Valley Wash, you can see more trees planted, and the walkway is completed with new benches, classic-looking light poles, and trash cans all provided by the grant funds. Located in a flood plain, the previous berms used to block high-rising waters were replaced with Gabion baskets, which are cages full of rocks for blocking flood waters should they occur. Cosmetic and useful, the Gabion baskets add another unique look to the walkway.

After crossing bridges, you come to the Maeder Segment, which leads to the alley segment that runs by the Dixon Park. Concrete molds shaped the fence that runs along the alley here to look like individual bricks laid with mason work. After this segment, you will find the kiosk that provides information about the project and the overall layout of the path. The walkway then connects along Lincoln Street and goes by the Larry Brown-dedicated baseball field, also known as the Super Park by the pool. This part of the walkway is actually an extra segment of the loop, meaning you have one way in and one way out before you connect to the rest of the walkway.

Once back on Lincoln Street, the walkway continues back to U.S. Highway 93 and finishes up along Company Row.

Dedication of the Linear Park project is planned on Memorial Day, according to Larson. The mayor hopes that the walkway “unites the town of Caliente by tying all the parks together” with a common-use walkway path.

With the potential for future additions to the park, the city of Caliente can look forward to a pleasant course provided by the grant that will increase the value and worth of the city.

The trip takes around an hour, give or take, but is considered well worth the walk as it provides Caliente with a common path that goes around and through the city.

The mayor commented that the city had “some of the most enduring people ever, all hoping and working to make Caliente a better place.” Larson added that “lots of contributors” worked on the project.

Working with a “punch list,” somewhat of a checklist of items relating work at the park, Larson said there were still a few things that needed to be done before the summer dedication.