Page 19 - Spring 2018 issue v1
P. 19

18 Friends oF red rock canyon                                                 Friends oF red rock canyon     19




                                                                                               The photo to the
                                                                                             left was taken by
                                                                                             Will Rempel, (GBI)
                                                                                             at 4:15 pm, Satur-
                                                                                             day, November 25,
                                                                                             2017.
                                                                                               This image of
 Walkway tiles are used for multiple reasons; some people want                               parking and Scenic
                                                                                             Drive congestion
 to recognize friends and loved ones who have passed, others                                 has become the
 want to celebrate a milestone or special event. Other tiles                                 norm instead of the
 are simply placed because the donors love Red Rock Canyon                                   unusual.
 and want to leave their marks in a positive way.
                          e need you. The Bureau of Land        help the BLM managers decide how to manage
                   W Management (BLM) and the Great             peak visitation within Red Rock Canyon.
 By Pat Williams and Cam Camburn  Basin Institute (GBI) really need your knowl-

 his summer will mark the 17th Anniversary   During construction of the new Visitor Center   edge, enthusiasm and physical presence. As you   We are recruiting volunteers to attend a three
 T of the Red Rock Canyon Dedication Walk-  Complex, the Dedication Walkway was carefully   all likely know, Red Rock Canyon is loved and   to four hour training session on Tuesday, April
 way. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)   documented, disassembled and stored at Oliver   visited by millions annually. This love of Red   10, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Red Rock Canyon
 approached the Friends of Red Rock Canyon   Ranch. The Walkway donors were notified that   Rock Canyon creates an enormous amount of   Visitor Center Classroom to learn more about this
 board in early 2001 about creating a fund-raising   their tiles would not be displayed during construc-  foot and road traffic that limits everyone’s ability   process and then help us collect data in the future.
 walkway. The walkway would consist of 12” x   tion but would be reinstalled in the new picnic area   to safely enjoy the Canyon. The high seasonal
 12” Nevada quarried sandstone tiles and it would   after all work was finished. Friends went to great   traffic also creates havoc on State Route 159.
 encircle the existing Tortoise Habitat. The Friends   lengths to ensure that the relocated tiles were both   Vehicles, traveling to Red Rock Canyon from Las
 board agreed to take the   installed correctly and were intact and legible. Ap-  Vegas, routinely get stuck in lines of traffic that
 lead on this endeavor, and   proximately 30 tiles were replaced, at no charge to   stretch more than a mile from the entrance.
 Chuck Williams, then   the original donor, due to breakage or other issues.
 Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
 Friends President,   The walkway tiles were reinstalled in the spring   We need you. The GBI is seeking volunteers
 created the policies   of 2010 to coincide with the Grand Opening of the   to help us monitor parking lot capacity around the
 and procedures. The   new Visitor Center Complex.  Scenic Drive. The information you provide will
 first dedication tiles were
 installed in July 2001.    Preparation for and installation of dedication
 tiles is complex. The engraver’s art department
 A special dedication area, commemorating the   prepares a proof for approval by the donor. Once   Dedicated to the Ones You Love (Continued from page 18)
 victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack on America,   approved, a rub-  sandblasting the templates with granite   $66,600 in program support has been
 was installed on   ber template is   granules. After sandblasting the letters   generated from the 588 tiles that have
 September 26,   prepared which   on each tile, the tiles are dusted off and a   been installed. The Dedication Walkway
 2001. Representa-  is placed by   special Lithochrome paint is applied. The   is located in the picnic area at the Red
 tives from Nellis   the engraver   taped templates are removed and the area   Rock Canyon Visitor Center Complex
 Air Force Base,   on a blank tile   is carefully swept and examined. The tile   and is viewed by the hundreds of thou-
 the City of Las   that has been   donors are notified after the twice-yearly   sands of guests to the Conservation Area.
 Vegas and BLM   warmed to rid it   installations are completed.
 First Responders,   of moisture and                                       The minimum donation is $400 ($350
 and many elected   to chip away   Dedication tiles may be ordered at any   for Friends members) and the tile is
 officials took part   any “popped”   time for the Memorial Day and Veteran’s   guaranteed against breakage and for leg-
 in the September 29   areas, creating a   Day installations. Proceeds from the   ibility for two years. For further informa-
 ceremony honoring those who died in the attack.   smooth surface.   tax-deductible (as allowed by law) dona-  tion, contact the Walkway Coordinator
 The Red Rock Canyon 9/11 Victims Dedication   The engraver   tions are used for the many programs and   at 702-515-5360 or email us at tilesale@
 area is believed to be the first permanent remem-  then dons protec-  services funded by Friends. More than   friendsofredrockcanyon.org.
 brance in the nation.  tive gear for
 (Continued on page 19)


 the Rock - Volume 8 Issue 3                                                                      Spring 2018
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