Southern Highlands' first park set to debut

Southern Highlands will be the site of much fanfare on Saturday as the first park within the master-planned community opens. The public is invited to enjoy the festivities, which will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as the dedication ceremony at 11 a.m.

"The opening of The Goett Family Park is integral to creating a ... community where families live, work and play," said Mitch McClellan, director of sales for The Estates at Southern Highlands Golf Club. "Having playgrounds where children and grandchildren play and an open space where families can come together is vital to creating a community."

The event will include free refreshments; giveaways; games; clowns; and youth basketball, football and soccer clinics. In addition, guests may enter a prize drawing for $1,000 in sports memorabilia when they visit any neighborhood at The Villages at Southern Highlands, which contains more than 70 model homes. For each entry, Southern Highlands will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, which assists children who have life-threatening illnesses.

"We are proud to once again be a part of a Southern Highlands celebration," Jennifer Tuttle, executive director of the foundation's local chapter, said. "Over the past year, they have been very involved and generous to our organization. Their support has ranged from granting a particular child's wish to major funding assistance."

The new 5-acre park features a playground, soccer field, basketball and sand volleyball courts, a barbecue area, and picnic tables.

Also new is The Linear Park Paseo, a 9-acre area just south of The Goett Family Park. It contains a tree-lined walkway for strolling, biking and jogging, and is part of a planned system of trails that will link neighborhoods and other amenities in Southern Highlands.

The community is located in the southwestern valley. Its master plan includes more than 50 acres of parks; trails; private and public schools; fiber-optic communications; retail and dining opportunities; and medical facilities.

More than a dozen builders are active within The Villages: American West Homes, Beazer Homes, D.R. Horton Homes, Greystone Homes, John Laing Homes, KB Home, Kimball Hill Homes, Pacific Southwest Development, Pulte Homes, Southwest Homes, Trophy Homes, US Home, William Lyon Homes and Woodside Homes.

Prices range from the $130,000s to the $400,000s.

The Estates at Southern Highlands is a guard-gated custom enclave offering home sites ranging from one-half acre to 2 acres with views of the mountains, city and the community's championship golf course. These lots are priced from $250,000 to more than $1 million.

Last year, Golf Digest ranked the private Southern Highlands Golf Club as the Best Private Golf Club in the Western United States. It is also a host course for the PGA Tour's Invensys Classic.

The 42,000-square-foot clubhouse, fashioned after a Tuscan manor, offers a library, wine room, men's grill and locker room, women's lounge and locker room, pro shop, and casual and fine dining opportunities. In addition, five golf cottages are available as vacation residences to members and their guests.

Plans are under way for a fitness center. Construction will start soon on the 12,000-square-foot building, which will contain a training area, steam rooms, massage and treatment rooms, a pool, and tennis courts. Members may also participate in Spinning, Pilate's and yoga classes.

To visit the community, take Interstate 15 to Lake Mead Drive and exit west, following the signs. All sales offices are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Real Estate home