While Las Vegas has neighborhoods that are environmentally green, most people would have a double take if they saw that the Valley is also home to several neighborhoods with vast amounts of greenspaces. Because these locals live in the desert, greenspace is vital to community wellbeing. Here are the greenest neighborhoods in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve photo courtesy of SpringsPreserve

Henderson

It would be easy to assume that Las Vegas doesn’t have greenery, but this neighborhood is home to a shocking number of greenspaces. ParkScore analyzed the largest U.S. cities to determine which cities meet the public need for parks, ranking Henderson in the top 20 of all major cities. While the city area is nearly 69,000 acres, park acreage sits at 9,173, which means that one park serves 32 Henderson residents. Henderson is also home to some of the most innovative parks in the Valley. The median park size in the area is eight acres, and over 13 percent of the city’s overall area is dedicated to parks and greenspaces. Henderson is also home to a trail system over 180 miles and more than 64 parks.

Summerlin

Although ParkScore ranks Henderson higher than Las Vegas, the metropolitan area has a larger park-to-city ratio. Ranked at number 34 on the list, nearly 20 percent of Las Vegas’ city area is dedicated to park land even though the average park is smaller than Henderson at only 2.5 acres. Summerlin is home to more than a few of these parks, including the 18-acre Fox Hill Park, a recent addition to Summerlin’s portfolio of park land. Fox Hill Park features 20 play structures, a zipline, a 32-foot climbing tower, custom swings, a spinning machine, a climbing fort, and even a disk golf course. Another excellent park in the area is 20-acre Summerlin Centre Community Park, which features play areas, two soccer fields, trails, and greenspaces.

Green Valley Ranch

The irony of Green Valley Ranch’s name may seem particularly apparent to out-of-towners who don’t live in the Las Vegas Valley. But in Green Valley Ranch, a park is around nearly every corner. From Dos Escuelas Park to Paseo Verde Park, there are many greenspaces for residents to enjoy. At eight acres, Discovery Park includes baseball fields, barbecue areas, covered picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, and an open grassy area. Splash pads are the norm in Green Valley Ranch, and it’s quite possible to walk from one park to another within minutes.

Inspirada

When evaluating ParkScore’s map of Henderson greenspaces, it’s easy to see that Inspirada is home to a significant amount of the city’s parks. Known for their amenity-packed parks, Inspirada has four parks for residents to enjoy: Aventura, Potenza, Capriola, and Solista. In all, these parks total 85 acres. Aventura Park is the largest of these parks, with over 20 acres of open space that includes three soccer fields, along with two sets of basketball courts, tennis courts, and baseball fields. At this sizable park, residents also have access to a heated swimming pool. Aventura also has a dog park, splash pad, and kids’ play area, so outdoor fun is never far from home.

Southern Highlands

The community of Southern Highlands has six spacious parks that include play areas, gazebos, splash pads, and walking paths as well as tennis and basketball courts. At over six acres, Somerset Hills Park is one of the greenest parks in the neighborhood. Residents can play tennis, use barbecue pits, and spend time at the playground. Doctor Harry B. Johnson Rose Park is only situated on two acres, but it’s among the most unique greenspaces in the area. Featuring a rose garden at its center, this park also includes a splash pad, covered play structure, and gazebos.