Non-functional Grass Law:

With ongoing drought conditions affecting water levels at Lake Mead, the Non-fuctional Grass Law is aimed at increasing efficient water use throughout Southern Nevada. 

The Non-functional Grass Law prohibits the use of water delivered by SNWA’s member agencies to irrigate decorative grass in streetscapes, medians, parking lots, and other areas where it is used for aesthetics and not recreational purposes by the end of 2026. 

The following must remove nonfunctional/decorative grass: 

• Office parks
• Businesses
• Industrial facilities
• Commercial facilities
• Golf Courses
• Multi-family housing 
• HOA's 
• Churches and religious organizations
• Environmental organizations
• Local governments

How is Parks and Recreation doing our part?

We begin removing selected sections of non-recreational turf and replacing it with drought-tolerant, native plants, trees or other landscape materials and amenities and converting the existing Fescue grass to a drought-tolerant grass, such as Hybrid Bermuda. Residents might notice some additional watering taking place to help establish the new seed.  

As part of our grass removal process, City staff conducts an assessment to determine the health and longevity of existing trees. Trees that are currently unhealthy, susceptible to disease, and/or are struggling to adapt to our desert environment will be replaced. This will help maintain and expand our community’s urban tree canopy, providing shade and aesthetics that complement the public’s use of the park. 

The City of Henderson is committed to the beautification and saving resources in our Parks. As a result, we will always replace the trees removed with as many or more trees, plants and amenities to provide recreational opportunities for our residents and future sustainability of our parks.

We will continue the project for our remaining parks through 2026. When completed, we estimate this project will save our community 150 million gallons of water per year.

For more information on how your nearby park will be impacted, see our Facility, Pool, Park & Trail Hours and Closures page. 

Current Sustainability Improvement Projects 

Acacia Park

(Updated rendering based upon community input)

Capriola Park

Foxridge Park

Green Valley Park

Watering 

Many of our parks are on a conservation watering schedule designed to help maximize water efficiency. This schedule is created by a centrally-controlled irrigation system that:

• Monitors daily weather station data
• Utilizes computerized controllers
• Applies the optimum amount of water needed to keep plants healthy

Additional Water Conservation Measures

The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department also has additional water conservation measures and programs in place. They include:

• Non-recreational turf reduction program
• Irrigation system preventative maintenance plan
• New development landscaping requirements
• Water usage reporting and evaluation

H2One is Henderson’s call to conserve and sustain our water supply because it sustains us. It’s all hands on deck: we’re calling all community members to action and empowering them to become conservation champions.

Contact

If you would like to learn more about our water conservation efforts or if you have any water-related concerns about our parks, please email PARKSPROJECTS@cityofhenderson.com. A copy of our Drought Response Plan is also available upon request.