7100 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89436

Lazy 5 Regional Park

Park Description:

Lazy 5 Regional Park is a 85-acre Washoe County park with restrooms.

Park Amenities:

Playground, soccer/football fields, volleyball court, skate park, water play park, horseshoe area, picnic area, barbeque area, reservable building, and tables/benches.

Park Contact Information:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space (775) 828-6612

Park Highlights

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Park History

Click the image to read each topic's full text!

General History

Lazy 5 park gets its name from a ranch that was previously operated in the area; the ranch got its name from the symbol they used to brand their animals, as most people thought it looked like a sideways ‘5’. The upper area of the park - where the community center, waterpark, playground, and skatepark are located, opened in 2001.

The park expands beyond the upper area including hiking trails spanning over the 85-acres Washoe County owns, and this opened in 2007. Early in 2019, the park saw another addition of ‘The Hive’ which replaced the sand and salt dome that was adjacent to the skateparks.

Image:
Jay Kolbet-Clasell.

Harolds Trapshooting Club

In what is now Spanish Springs, Raymond I. (“Pappy”) Smith along with Charlie Mapes and Harold S., Sr. ran a competitive trapshooting club from the 1950s to 1979 named “Harolds Trapshooting Club.” During this time, shooting competition events were held and many prizes were distributed including cowboy hats or Jim Beam in slot machine styled bottles.

Along with 32 shooting fields, Harolds Trapshooting Club included a bar and gambling area. Before closing in 1979, the club also contained memorabilia from famous trapshooters Arnold Riegger and Fred Etchen and photos from the competition events.

Image:
Source: Washoe County website.

The Hive

The Hive is a unique dome-shaped building located at Lazy 5 park. This building was first constructed to store salt and stone for road construction. This building has since been transformed into a recreation facility that boasts pickleball courts and a basketball court.

This building is available to rent for parties and events. More information on renting the Hive can be found on Washoe County's website.

Image:
The Hive. Source: Washoe County website.

This To Do

The Melio Gaspari Water Play Park opened in 2004, and, for a small fee, offers numerous water features for children during the warmer months.

The Cottonwood Room is rentable and can host many events, as can the Hive building.

Since 2010, Lazy 5 Regional Park has hosted free concerts during the summer. Offering people the opportunity to enjoy the park and listen to some music. Bring the family and some lawn chairs for the free concerts on Wednesday evenings.

Image:
Summer Concert Series. Source: Washoe County website.

Get Involved!

Donate:

Make a donation to support the Parks Project or your favorite Parks Foundation program, project, or wherever its needed! Click here to donate today.

Volunteer:

Support our parks by volunteering with the Parks Foundation! Attend a volunteer event or choose an ongoing role. Click here to explore opportunities.

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!

Lazy 5 Regional 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 - Lazy 5 Regional Park
Lazy 5: Trail Map
Rentable Building: Cottonwood Room
Rentable Recreation Venue: The Hive
Rentable Shelter: Sunrise Picnic Pavilion
Rentable Shelter: Sunset Picnic Pavilion
Rentable Shelter: Sugarloaf Picnic Pavilion
Melio Gaspari Water Play Park
Lazy 5: Facebook Page
Anderson, K. (2017, Jul 19). Crowds flocking to Lazy 5 free concert series. Sparks Tribune.
Babicz, R. (2008, Oct 22). Unfamiliar territory. Reno Gazette Journal.
News 4 & Fox 11 Digital Team. (2019, Apr 12). Grand Opening of 'The Hive', a new recreational facility in Sparks. My News 4.

Contributor(s):

Meghan Anderson (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

April 14, 2023 at 12:53:00 PM

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