1980 Lakeside Dr, Reno, NV 89509

Virginia Lake Park

Park Description:

Virginia Lake Park is a 31.58-acre Reno park with year-round restrooms. The park features a 1-acre dog park and a lake that is a great urban spot for birding.

Park Amenities:

Playground, picnic shelters, rentable shelter, dog park, barbecue area, exercise area, pathway, and tables/benches.

Park Contact Information:

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

Park Highlights

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Park History

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

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.

Administrative Grove

The Administrative Grove is an area on the northeast side of Virginia Lake that was dedicated to Washoe County, Washoe County’s three county commissioners, and the WPA’s Nevada administrator Gilbert C. Ross and his staff for making Virginia Lake a reality. This area is a native Nevada plant area that hosts a variety of native plants from around the area.

Here you will find sagebrush, junipers, and more!

Fishin' and Swimmin'

On September 1st, 1938 Virginia Lake hosted the opening day for fishing at the lake. The lake was stocked with 100,000 fish and more than 1,000 people came out to fish the lake that day. Fishing started all together at 7:30 a.m. marked by a gun blast from the county game warden. Many seasoned fishermen complained that there were more people that first day then there were fish. More than 100 school children ditched class to come down and be a part of all the action.

Many had hopes for Virginia Lake to be a swimming and boating area, but the Washoe County commissioners banned both. Swimming was banned due to health concerns on the cleanliness of the lake and the lack of lifeguards. Boating was prohibited because of the interference that would cause all the waterbirds protected on the lake.

Where Does the Water Come and Go?

Virginia Lake is filled on the northwest side by water from the oldest ditch in the Truckee Meadows: the Cochrane ditch. The Cochrane ditch was built in 1864 for the total cost of $6,000. Prior to the ditch ending at Virginia Lake, Cochrane led directly to the Truckee River. Water outlets at Virginia Lake include the south side storm drain and the “morning glory” spillway. Virginia Lake empties through these outlets to Boynton Slough, Steamboat Creek, and back to the Truckee River.

80% of our drinking water comes from the Truckee River which Virginia Lake in part flows into (everything is connected). Please pick up your own trash, dog poop, and any trash you see in Virginia Lake. Also, do not feed the birds in excess (or at all) which causes worsening conditions of this lake!

Waterbird Haven

Virginia Lake is home to numerous waterfowl and is an ideal location for birders and wildlife photographers to come out and spot many different types of birds. The island in the middle of the lake was constructed as a bird nesting sanctuary and is home to many Double Crested Cormorants, Snowy Egrets, and California Gulls.

Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation (TMPF) uses Virginia Lake as one of its’ field trip locations for the Student Stewards Program (SSP). TMPF educators walk students from Anderson Elementary school to the lake to have the students learn about waterbirds and participate in citizen science bird counts. The bird count data that the students help collect is used by The Nevada Department of Agriculture, UNR scientists, and the Lahontan Audubon Society.

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Dog Park

Prior to the construction of the dog park, this area was the site of Virginia Lake’s fish hatchery. The hatchery was constructed at the same time as Virginia Lake (1938-39) and stood until the 1965 flood.

Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation worked alongside The City of Reno to restore this dog park. From community and organization donations and matching funds from The City of Reno, the reconstruction project was able to add agility equipment, shade structures, water fountains, and more!

Waste Worries

Virginia Lake was drained and cleaned in 1955 (and again in 1965) and the amount of trash found both times was astonishing. There were old slot machines, parts of washers/dryers, two truckloads of beer cans, an oil barrel and motor to name a few. This lake is home to a plethora of wildlife and hosts kids and families on its’ shores. Please pick up any trash you see lying around, you are doing the whole community and ecosystem a service when you do so!

Want a fun way to bond with your family as you stroll around Virginia Lake? Before heading out to the park, bring along some of those plastic bags that are cluttering up a whole cabinet or drawer and use them to pick up trash around the park. There are also doggie waste bag bins scattered around the lake that you can refill with your extra plastic bags as well. These provide dog owners with the means to clean up after their pet if they forget to bring bags with them.

Enjoy the park while ensuring the beauty of this open space for both wildlife and fellow humans alike. This also provides an excellent opportunity to teach our kids about being good stewards of the land while practicing it in a park we all love.

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!

Virginia Lake 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:

City of Reno Parks & Facilities Directory - Virginia Lake Park
City of Reno: “Description of Virginia Lake.”
City of Reno: “Feeding Ducks.”
Virginia Lake Trail Map.
Learn more about the Dog Park Restoration Project here.
Nevada Department of Wildlife: History and Park Information.
“A Walk Around Virginia Lake” by the Ol’ Reno Guy.
“Virginia Lake Park: A WPA Success Story” by Robert A. Nylen. Article found in A Magazine of Popular History: Nevada, In the West. Number 1, Spring 2010.

Contributor(s):

Haley McGuire (history, ammenities, etc.)

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

August 26, 2022 at 6:36:40 PM

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