#ParkletVegas
#ParkletVegas A miniature park helped connect people in the heart of Las Vegas to nature. © Simon Williams/TNC

Stories in Nevada

#ParkletVegas

Connecting People with Nature in Southern Nevada: A parklet in the heart of downtown Las Vegas helped connect people with each other—and with nature.

The Nature Conservancy collaborated with Downtown Project, Iowa State University (ISU) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) designers to build a 160-square-foot parklet in Las Vegas. 

The parklet—a tiny urban park called "The Waiting Game"—was a public place for relaxation and enjoyment that transformed a parking lot space near Carson Avenue into a slice of nature. For the two years it was installed, people living and working in Las Vegas, as well as visitors, could enjoy the outdoors, have a picnic, play a game, and check out the cool engravings about nearby natural areas and wildlife. The parklet is just one example of how we're connecting people with nature and working toward building healthy cities. Learn more about the Conservancy's cities program >>

Part of the Downtown Project's effort to help with the revitalization of downtown Las Vegas, the parklet's design, location, and interactive learning embodied the three C's inherent to Downtown Project’s approach—Collisions, Co-learning, and Connectedness.

While the parklet has been removed, its spirit of learning lives on. The engraved stone seats and table pieces have been repurposed and are being used by the Clark County Wetlands Park to teach visitors about native plant and animal species.