40 Coleman Dr, Reno, NV 89503

Lake Park

Park Description:

Lake Park is a 3.4-acre Reno park without restrooms. As its name suggests, the park is home to a small, urban lake.

Park Amenities:

Playground, pathways and tables/benches.

Park Highlights

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Park History

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The Establishment of Lake Park

Lake Park was established on November 19, 1951 with a ceremony attended by neighbors, City Councilmen, and Mayor Francis R. Smith. It was opened as a recreational area for the surrounding new developments in the Lake Park Heights area, and was centered around Shannon’s Pond. The pond was originally used for ranch irrigation, and is fed by the Highland Ditch (built in 1880) which flows from the Truckee River 12 miles to what is now Rancho San Rafael Park.

The developers of the Lake Park Heights subdivision, Wiechmann & Probasco, deeded Lake Park to the City of Reno. According to the Reno Evening Gazette on November 18, 1951, hundreds of yards of Truckee River gravel were brought in the form a solid bottom of the 3-foot deep lake. Featured activities in the newly-built park included fishing and ice skating.

Lake Park Through the Years

Over the years, a variety of events have been held in the park. The Reno Evening Gazette reported that the Lake Park Settlers held a stewardship day on April 14, 1951. Volunteers worked in the park by planting trees and installing a new sprinkler system to help the city save valuable budget money. The Chism Ice Cream Company provided refreshments. In the summer of 1958, the Washoe County librarians held playground storytelling in the park.

On January 16, 1967 it was reported by the Nevada State Journal that a boy and his dog fell through the ice. Both the boy and the dog got out safely. There are stories of weddings under the weeping willows on the west side of the park.

Image:
Photo by Catherine Schmidt.

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iNaturalist:

Out in our parks or open spaces? Try cataloguing the biodiversity around you with iNaturalist! All it takes is downloading the iNaturalist app onto your phone to get started.

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

Lake Park on iNaturalist

Contact:

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Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

City of Reno Parks & Facilities Directory - Lake Park
“Shannon’s Pond Now Recreation Spot for Reno: Mayor Will Christen It Tomorrow Afternoon”. Nevada State Journal. Reno, Nevada. November 18, 1951. P. 2. Retrieved from https://newspaperarchive.com/nevada-state-journal-nov-18-1951-p-2/ on 3/8/19.
“Ceremony Held for Lake Park”. Reno Evening Gazette. Reno, Nevada. November 20,1951. P. 11. Retrieved from https://newspaperarchive.com/reno-evening-gazette-nov-20-1951-p-11/ on 3/8/19.
“Lake Park Settlers Aid Park Program”. Reno Evening Gazette. Reno, Nevada. April 16, 1951. P. 7. Retrieved from https://newspaperarchive.com/reno-evening-gazette-apr-16-1951-p-7/ on 3/8/19.
“Fireman See No Need for Any Alarm”. Nevada State Journal. Reno, Nevada. January 16, 1967. P. 8. Retrieved from https://newspaperarchive.com/nevada-state-journal-jan-16-1967-p-15/ on 3/8/19.

Contributor(s):

Catherine Schmidt (history)

Elizabeth Francis (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

September 2, 2021, 6:02:06 PM

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