General History
Virginia Lake was constructed (1938-39) during the Great Depression as part of the “New Deal” under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to provide jobs constructing the lake. The construction crew started out with 25 men and grew to employ 60 men during Virginia Lake’s development. Through the help of WPA workers, Virginia Lake was dug and filled with water, the storm drains added, the walking path surrounding the lake implemented, park landscape installed, and roads created connecting Virginia Lake to Virginia Street, Plumas, and Moana.
The park landscaping was overseen by the superintendent of Washoe County Parks, John Henry Reeve. Reeve had also helped with the design of the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and the Los Angeles Parks District prior to helping oversee the design of Virginia Lake. Reeves transplanted many of the trees and plants at Virginia lake (such as the junipers) from the desert. UNR and many community members donated a bunch of plants which saved on the cost of this parks project. 98% of all the transplanted flora survived, a huge accomplishment and savings.
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