Springs Preserve, Las Vegas, NV

In the middle of Las Vegas is one of the nicer Elks Lodges we have visited. Imagine having a half block of space in a town with almost half a million people for your own back yard. We had the parking lot to ourselves. I decided to check on nearby geocaches and the closest one led us to the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

I learned that this is on land where three artesian springs were located that surfaced in the middle of the valley. They formed beautiful pools 20 to 30 feet deep which led to a green oasis in the middle of the desert. Spanish explorers named the area Las Vegas, “The Meadows.” These springs and the creek that flowed from them to the Colorado River allowed for settlement in the area and the beginning of Las Vegas.

Several well derricks are in the area over the original springs.

From the geocacher we also learned that there were some gardens nearby. Off we went to explore and we located the Springs Preserve.

Instead of paying $19.00 we ended up with free tickets to tour the gardens. There were large buildings with all sorts of displays and hands-on activities for children. So we acted like children and made our own fun.

We wandered among the eight acres of flowers.

Information kiosks were set up to explain all about gardening and water use. Gila monsters seemed to be the theme.