1190 Country Estates Cir, Reno, NV 89511

Crystal Lake Park

Park Description:

Crystal Lake Park is a 5-acre Reno park with restrooms (opened seasonally: late April-Early October weather permitting).

Park Amenities:

Playground, soccer/football field, basketball court, tennis courts, volleyball court, horseshoe area, pathways, exercise area, picnic shelters, barbeque area, and tables/benches.

Park Contact Information:

City of Reno - Parks & Facilities (775) 334-2417

Park Highlights

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Park History

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The Park

The 5-acre Crystal Lake Park was “conceived” in 1993 when the Reno City Council issued a request for bids to build phase one of the Park. The second phase came in 1996 when tennis courts with fencing were added to the park, as well as areas for basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and a picnic shelter with tables, benches and BBQ grills. The dedication ceremony came in late 1996 with an appearance by the Mayor of Reno.

By 1996, the City Council had budgeted money to purchase lighting for the tennis courts and picnic area, but the $29,000 for these projects wasn’t allocated until 1999. A year later, the Southeast Neighborhood Advisory Board allocated funds for permanent restroom facilities.

Having a neighborhood park for families to safely enjoy outdoor activities contrasts to 130+ years earlier, when on this property in 1884, an 8-year old boy and his friends were teasing a cow on the ranch. When the cow charged after them, the boy tripped as he attempted to jump over a fence and broke one of his legs above the knee. Then, as now, boys will be boys, but at least they have safer activities at Crystal Lake Park!

Image:
Newspaper advertisement for the dedication. Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

Ede Ranch

The land on which Crystal Lake Park is located was originally the ranch of Steven Ede. Steven and his brothers left their home in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1851 in search of riches in California. Steven and one brother came over the plains with an ox team, while his other three brothers made the voyage by sea around Cape Horn.

The brothers met in Beckwith, California, where they engaged in farming and mining. A few years later, Steven returned to Wisconsin to marry his sweetheart, Eleanor Gleason, and bring her back to the West via ox team. By 1870, the couple brought their family to Reno where they bought a ranch near the Huffaker Ranch and lived for over thirty years. According to Steven Ede’s obituary in 1915, over that time the family “watched Reno grow from a half-way house to a city of 15,000.” Eleanor died in 1907. In those early days of Reno, the ranch was a landmark to travelers between Reno and Virginia City.

Upon Steven’s death, the hay-producing ranch and other property was sold, with the proceeds divided among the couple’s ten children, and fifty grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Image:
Ox and cow team in 1907. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14801376333/.