2525 Killington Dr, Reno, NV 89511

Whites Creek Park

Park Description:

Whites Creek Park is a 6-acre Washoe County Park with a portable restroom.

Park Amenities:

Hiking trails, walking trails, playground, multi-use field, picnic area, barbecue area, and tables/benches.

Park Contact Information:

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

Park Highlights

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Park History

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Early Whites Creek Park

Whites Creek Park takes its name from Whites Creek which borders the park’s northwest side. The creek got its name from Whites Canyon where the source of the creek is located.

During the late 19th and early 20th century, the area’s creeks and rivers were popular fishing sites. In 1905, due to pollution in the Truckee River from the Floriston Pulp and Paper Company, county commissioners were urged to move their efforts towards stocking fish in Hunter, Thomas, Galena, and Whites Creeks. Although Trout were native to the two creeks, they were also periodically stocked with other more “flavorful” varieties, including the Brook Trout and Eastern Brook Trout.

Lumber and Travel

Lumber companies created the first roads up the mountain via the canyons. After the timber industry declined due to over-harvesting the trees, the roads fell into disrepair. In the early 1900’s, there was talk of building a “highway” — which would have been a wagon road during that time period — over the summit to Lake Tahoe, but as cars became more prevalent, people wanted an easy way to get to Lake Tahoe rather than going via Truckee. Whites Canyon was suggested as the best route to build a 26-mile highway to Lake Tahoe from Reno. The Mount Rose Route was submitted to the county for approval and the road was completed in 1921. The highway lies just south of Whites Creek Park, as can be seen in the photo provided.

Development and Housing

The housing subdivisions around Whites Creek Park were approved and started being built in the late 1970s and 1980s by Lancer Estates. They were marketed as Galena Country Estates, The Boulders, and Shadowridge neighborhoods.

Inspired to preserve their local open spaces, neighborhood volunteers put together events and fundraisers to help create a walking and biking trail along Whites Creek in the 1990s. A half-mile section of the trail was made possible through an Adopt-a-Park event. In 1995, the Silver State Striders running club hosted a run for the Washoe County Parks Department to supplement the trail with bridges and signage.

Image:
Google Earth images of Whites Creek. Top: 1994, bottom: 2018.

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iNaturalist:

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Whites Creek Park on iNaturalist

Contact:

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Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space - Whites Creek Park
Flood destroy trout creeks. (1913, September 12). Nevada State Journal, p. 8.
Lake Tahoe an asset or Reno provided old road is rebuilt. (1913, April 9). Reno Evening Gazette, p. 1.
Nearly one million fish being planted in creeks near Reno. (1906, June 12). Reno Evening Gazette, p. 7.
Nelson says road to lake would cost $20,000. (1919, August 5). Reno Evening Gazette, p. 3.
Notice of application for permission to appropriate the public waters of the state of Nevada. (1914, Jan 22). Reno Evening Gazette, p. 7.
Picnic excursion. (1895, June 29). Nevada State Journal , p. 6.
Plan for highway over Mt. Rose discussed. (1920, February 2). Reno Evening Gazette, p. 3.
Special fire patrol near Galena Creek. (1922, July 13). Reno Evening Gazette, p. 6.
Streets and roads must be improved. (1909, July 21). Reno Evening Gazette, p. 4.
The attorney general for convict road work. (1909, June 30). Reno Evening Gazette, p. 4.
Traveler, T. N. (1919, October 4). Could run to Lake Tahoe in hour if Mt. Rose road were improved. Reno Evening Gazette, p. 8.
Would stock the creeks. (1905, November 1). Reno Gazette Journal, p. 7.

Contributor(s):

Jill Richardson (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

August 26, 2022 at 6:25:43 PM

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