Southwestern valley: History lives on at Mountain's Edge

The heritage of the land encompassing Mountain's Edge can be traced to the beginnings of the Las Vegas Valley. In recognition, the developer of the 3,000-acre master-planned community in the southwestern valley will honor that history by creating a sense of community for the people who will live there.

"The more people understand about the history of the land they live on and the people who came there before them, the more they will bond with their surrounding environment and feel truly at home," John Ritter, developer and chief executive of Focus Property Group, said.

More than 500 acres have been set aside for parks, trails and open space at Mountain's Edge, which is located in proximity to the Old Spanish Trail.

Small parks within the community will honor the area's original occupants and visitors, such as Paiute Park, named for the Paiute Indians who lived throughout the valley; pioneer explorer John C. Fremont; Helen Stewart, another founder of the valley; and Nathaniel Jones, a 19th century miner. Each park will display a plaque that describes its namesake's travels and accomplishments.

The focal point of Mountain's Edge is Exploration Peak, which rises to 2,846 feet. Nature created a rich fossil find along the peak, and before the community's groundbreaking the developer restored it with nearly 10,000 native plants.

Exploration Park, a western-themed park to be built at the base of the peak, will include an Old West town, Native American play structures, an archeological dig area, a water play area and other attractions.

Mountain's Edge also will be home to a centrally located 300-acre regional park. Planned amenities will include adult and youth baseball fields, multiuse sports fields, picnic areas and children's play areas. It also will be the site of community events and activities.

Additional plans include four elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school, as well as commercial and office properties.

The Home Search Café is open at the intersection of Blue Diamond Road and Buffalo Drive. It has displays depicting the history of Mountain's Edge, including the railroads, water conservation, the area's native plants and animals, and the area's connection to mining.

When completed, Mountain's Edge will feature more than 12,000 residences from more than 20 builders. The participating builders are: Amstar, Astoria, Avante, Beazer, Chartered, Concordia, Desert Wind, D.R. Horton, Juliet, KB Home, Kimball Hill, Lennar, Meritage/ Perma-Bilt, Pardee, R/S Development, Storybook, Toll Bros., Trophy, US Home/ Lennar, Warmington Nevada and Woodside.

To visit, take Interstate 15 to Blue Diamond Road then head west to Buffalo Drive.

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