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| - Is Saint Rose Parkway a scenic route? The multi-use paved trail that parallels the northeast bound side of the highway is without doubt a scenic route.
The City of Henderson promotes itself as Play City USA. In my book the City of Henderson is Trail City USA. The City of Henderson is building trails faster than a casino changes ownership. Recently they built The St. Rose Parkway Trail. It is so freshly paved that it has the new pavement smell. This very trail is more than freshly poured pavement. The City went all out on this trail. Throughout the trail there are informative kiosks that explain the adjacent habitat and wildlife. Contrary to what I believed, there is wildlife alongside St. Rose Parkway that includes owls, roadrunners, and coyotes. The City has made this a dog friendly trail with several dog scoop stations. The City has also made this a welcoming trail. Benches and shelters are placed throughout the trail. The City went the extra mile with decorations. My favorite is the owl and squirrel statues nearer The M (I included a picture).
The St. Rose Parkway Trail is parallel to the majority of St. Rose Parkway, which runs from The M Hotel and Casino to Paseo Verde Parkway (where it develops into the Paseo Verde Trail). The topography is mostly flat, which makes this an easy trail for cycling and hiking.
Two Saturdays ago, I made the St. Rose Parkway Trail my weekend outdoor adventure. I hiked it between the Hampton Inn/ Starbucks near Seven Hills Parkway and The M/ Jack In The Box. Two trailheads that replenished my thirst. In my point of view, the northeast bound hike is more scenic than the southwest bound hike. Hiking southwest bound, the subliminal message is ,"When will I get to the M?" Hiking northeast bound, there is more scenic vistas. The vistas of Black Mountain towering over the open spaces of Henderson Airport is spectacular. The airplanes landing at Henderson Airport added to the enjoyment of the hike. Throughout the trail there are pockets of mini ecosystems.
I have to bring up some constructive criticism. First, the City of Henderson ought to follow the example of Clark County and City of Las Vegas of carrying trails over major highways. I strongly feel that it is necessary to build a bridge to carry the St. Rose Parkway Trail over Eastern Avenue (and even St. Rose Parkway while their at it). There is a bridge across St. Rose Parkway connecting the St. Rose Parkway Trail to Cactus Wren Dog Park. A bridge carrying the St. Rose Parkway Trail across Eastern is just as necessary. Second I feel that surveillance cameras are necessary in the vicinity of the kiosks, shelters, and the owl and squirrel statues. It's not if a mean spirited person or group of mean spirited people will vandalize parts of the trail. Its when. Boulder City is using 24 surveillance cameras at Hemenway Valley Park, and it seems to be a deterrent.
I hiked a good portion of the St. Rose Parkway Trail. It is uncertain if I will hike the remainder of it in the near future. What is certain is when I drive on St. Rose Parkway I have a new appreciation for the landscape.
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