Independence Day activities provided by City of Mesquite Recreation and Parks Department

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Independence Day activities hosted by the City of Mesquite Recreation and Parks Department on Monday, July 4, will provide family fun at the Recreation Center. Later in the evening, a fireworks display and musical program will be sponsored and hosted by the Eureka Casino.

The Mesquite Recreation Center will be open on the Independence Day holiday at 10 a.m., followed by a Basketball Skills competition from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The 3-point shootout and a Hot Shot Competition is set up so every age and ability will be able to compete and have a fun time.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the outdoor pool will have water balloon tosses, watermelon football, dunk tank, races against the lifeguards along with music.

“The event is always a lot of fun and the family can come enjoy the open swim and other activities during the heat of the day,” said Nick Montoya, Recreation Supervisor.

For more information on 4th of July activities and other programs, please contact the Mesquite Recreation & Parks Department at 346-8732. Register for all youth and adult programs online at: www.MesquiteNV.gov or at the Mesquite Recreation & Parks Department Administrative Office, 100 W. Old Mill Road.

The Desert Tortoise

Like many desert creatures, desert tortoises spend most of their lives "holed up." In spring and summer, they roam grazing on grasses and wildflowers, then head for their burrows when it gets too hot. In fall and winter, when it is cold and there is not much to eat, they stay burrowed in for six months or more at a time.

If you see a desert tortoise, you are seeing an endangered species. Please watch out for them on the roads. Tortoises live in washes and valleys where the soil is soft enough for them to burrow into, yet stable enough so they do not collapse. Remember, desert tortoises are protected under the Endangered Species Act and may not be handled or removed.

Golf in the Desert

The city of Mesquite combines calm, small-town flavour with big-city attractions and championship golf. The Palms and the Oasis Golf Clubs are only two of the half-dozen challenging courses in the area.

Golf Highlights in Mesquite

Golf built on the dramatic Virgin Foothills of Nevada makes for a unique landscape and golf setting.
Enjoy a spa treatment at the Spa at Casablanca or the Spa at the Oasis.
Mesquite serves as a gateway to the national parks of Southern Utah and Zion National Park, which is less than two hours away.

View more information about golf courses in Mesquite

The Speedy RoadRunner

Called paisano in Mexico, the roadrunner is a well-known desert resident that only superficially resembles its popular cartoon portrayal. The greater roadrunner has adapted to life on the run. Though it can fly well, it prefers to use its strong legs and X- shaped toes to run rapidly over the desert landscape. Active predators, roadrunners aggressively chase insects, lizards, snakes, small birds and mammals.

Tolerant of humans, they sometimes nest in protected eaves and garages when they are not building large stick nests in desert trees. Their vocalizations include bill clicking noises and a mournful cooing made during breeding seasons. They do not meep-meep.