NOTE: Sunset Regional Park Improvements Phase II

Sunset Park Phase II Master Plan improvements are scheduled to begin during the fall of 2011 and continue into 2012. The County will renovate and enhance the lake area. Some areas under construction will have limited access. Please watch for signs placed at park entries and other key locations in the park for the duration of the construction period. Please check the County website for updates and information about the schedule, delays, and restrictions. Despite the construction, there should be plenty of birds to watch around the area, and the County says they will work to minimize negative effects on the waterfowl.

Description

Sunset Park is a large, noisy, traditional urban park in the heart of the city. The developed portion of the park has ball fields, play grounds, a fishing pond, lawns, big old trees, and lots of other vegetation. In addition, the undeveloped southern part of the park protects remnants of the mesquite-dune system that once covered much of the Las Vegas Valley. This area preserves some nice mesquite and saltbush thickets and other native vegetation, although these are degrading over time.

Despite the urban feeling, this mix of habitats (water, trees, thickets, and dunes) creates a diverse urban oasis that attracts birds and people from all around.

Location

Sunset Park is located in the south-central part of Las Vegas at the intersection of E. Sunset Road and S. Eastern Avenue, just off the southeastern corner of the airport runway. Link to Map.

From downtown, drive south on Highway I-15 to Highway I-215 East (follow signs to the airport). Follow Highway I-215 east to the airport turnoff, turn towards the airport, and just before going into the airport tunnel (under the runway), exit the highway onto Sunset Road. Drive east on Sunset for about 1 mile to Eastern Avenue. The park is across the intersection. Turn right onto Eastern and then turn left at either of the roads into the park.

Alternatively, drive south on Highway 93 to Sunset Road. Exit the highway, turn right onto Sunset, and drive west to Eastern Avenue. The park is on your left.

Parking lots are located on the north, west, and south sides of the park. Birders probably would prefer to park in the western or southern (Table 1, Site 451) parking lots, both of which are accessible from Eastern Avenue.

Restrooms are located just northeast of the pond, and a few outhouses are scattered around the park.

Hours

Always open, but consider the birding to be sunrise to sunset.

Fees

None.

Specialties

This is a good place to find resident desert passerine species and migrants, as well as waterfowl during winter. Check the mesquite thickets for desert species such as Phainopepla, Verdin, and Black-tailed Gnatcatchers; check the trees for warblers, orioles, and tanagers; check the sand dunes for desert species; and check the pond for duck, grebes, cormorants, and herons.