One of the great things about Las Vegas is the number of parks. It seems like every new community or development has a park. Some are small "pocket" parks with just a small play area for kids and a little grass; and some are larger with a variety of facilities. This one - Gilcrease Brothers Park, is a nice size, but doesn't have much in the way of facilities. Just a play area for tots, horseshoe pits, & bocce ball lanes.
The park is named after the Gilcrease Brothers,Ted & Bill. The Gilcrease family started farming in the area near Tulle Springs in 1920, eventually owning over 1500 acres, In the 1970s, the brothers turned their focus to an orchard, and less on general farming. Due to financial setbacks, the Gilcrease family gradually sold most of their other properties, making the Orchard the last vestige of the family ranching era. Thanks to the Gilcrease Family and their generosity, a 60 acre patch of the most fertile farming land in the Las Vegas area is still preserved. This orchard is still functioning largely as a "u-pick and pay" and in season features a diverse choice of fruits and vegetables. It remains a popular spot for families located at N Tenaya Way and Whispering Sands Rd. Ted passed away in 2003, and Bill turned 96 June 21, 2015. Also check out the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary off of Racel St between N Durango Dr and N Cimmaron Rd. I Thought I'd try to start a new series for these parks. This is the Second.