2950 Arrowcreek Pkwy, Reno, NV 89511

Arrowcreek Park

Park Description:

Arrowcreek Park is an 11-acre Washoe County park without restrooms.

Park Amenities:

Multi-purpose field, amphitheater, hiking trails, horse trails, picnic area, barbecue area, and playground.

Park Highlights

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Park History

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LaVere Redfield

The history of Arrow Creek Park is very interesting in that it is tied to a man described as Reno’s version of Howard Hughes…an eccentric millionaire by the name of LaVere Redfield. Unlike Hughes who was born into money, LaVere Redfield was born into a poor family but amassed millions during his lifetime through his own business prowess and penny-pinching ways. As a result, he died in 1974 leaving a substantial amount of land (including the land on which Arrow Creek Park is located) and other assets in Reno worth $70 million.

A shrewd businessman, philanderer, gambler, hoarder, and extremely frugal, LaVere initially earned his money by investing in the stock market during the Great Depression. While many people lost everything in the crash of the stock market, LaVere became fabulously wealthy. He moved to Reno from California in 1935 to avoid the personal income tax that was being put in place in that state. In fact, Nevada seized the opportunity of California’s income tax to attract millionaires to our state with a “One Sound State” campaign promoting Nevada’s lack of state income tax, corporation tax, and inheritance tax.

Once LaVere and his wife Nell moved to Reno, they purchased a large stone mansion on Mount Rose Street from where LaVere could walk to the casinos in his old flannel shirt or overalls (he didn’t want to waste money on new clothes or gas for the car).

Over the years, LaVere quietly amassed many acres of land around Reno (often in the name of his niece so as to avoid attention). LaVere’s desire to keep a low profile did nothing to keep him from being robbed several times, including one incident that landed him in the hospital in 1948. He distrusted banks and the government and frequently argued with the county over property taxes. He ended up in prison for several years when he was convicted of tax evasion in 1958. After his death in 1974, 400,000 silver dollar coins were found in the basement of his house on Mount Rose Street.

Nell Redfield

Nell Redfield lived almost seven years after her husband LaVere’s death. After LaVere’s death, Nell set up the Nell J. Redfield Foundation which donates to various causes in northern Nevada, such as the University of Nevada, School of Medicine.

The land around Reno owned by the Redfields has either been donated or is being sold gradually to fund the ongoing charitable projects funded by the foundation. One such charitable project is the UNR/TMCC campus located on Mount Rose Highway at Wedge Parkway.

Arrow Creek Park and Subdivision

The Arrow Creek subdivision broke ground in September 1996. According to one attendee, this was before Arrowcreek Parkway had been built so dignitaries (including Arnold Palmer who was on hand to promote The Legend Course which he designed) had to drive up Thomas Creek Parkway and Zolezzi Lane to a long dirt road.

The playground equipment at Arrow Creek Park comes from GameTime, a Playcore Company. The surface under the playground is made from recycled rubber tiles which are designed to be low in maintenance and last a long time.

Hunsberger Elementary School

Across Arrowcreek Parkway from Arrow Creek Park is the Ted Hunsberger Elementary School, opened in 1997. The school was named to honor Ted Hunsberger, who was a teacher in the Washoe County School District for 31 of his 34 years of teaching.

Born in August 1, 1929, he received his bachelor degree from the University of Montana in 1954 and a master’s degree from UNR in 1964. He served in many principal and vice principal positions at all levels of education in the district. He served as the first senior director of Elementary Education for the district from 1983 until his retirement in 1991. He was heavily involved in many community

Nearby Trails

Near Arrow Creek Park is access to the Lower Thomas Creek Trail. To reach the Upper Thomas Creek Trail requires a 2.5-mile hike with a 700-foot gain in elevation.

This trail offers beautiful wildflowers at the right time of year, and is best used between March and October. Dogs may use the trail but must be kept on a leash.

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iNaturalist:

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Curious what's been seen in this park? Click the link below to see what species other have spotted!

Arrowcreek Park on iNaturalist

Contact:

Have a question about our parks or the Parks Project? Email us at parksproject@tmparksfoundation.org!

Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space - Arrowcreek Park
Clifton, G. (2014, November 10). The real story of eccentric Reno millionaire LaVere Redfield. Reno Gazette Journal.
Harpster, J. (2014). The Curious Life of Nevada’s LaVere Redfield: The Silver Dollar King. The History Press.
GameTime website (2018). https://www.gametime.com/
AllTrails website (2018).

Contributor(s):

Jill Richardson (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

July 1, 2021, 9:30:04 PM

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