As community demand for parks and recreation services continues to grow, the City faces an increasing gap between needs and available funding. Currently, most park funding comes from the General Fund, which is subject to economic volatility and competing priorities. The Reno Parks and Recreation system lacks sustainable funding in several critical areas:

• Capital Maintenance and Asset Replacement
• Capital Improvement
• Operational Maintenance

Council's overarching goals highlight enhancing the community’s living experience through the arts, its public parks, and historical resources. Council has already endorsed multiple strategies that seek to address the lack of sustainable funding for parks and recreation facilities and services as established in the following plans:

• Identify dedicated and creative funding sources for parks and recreation to address aging facilities, maintain parks and trails, expand recreational opportunities, and complete the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan. – City of Reno Strategic Plan (Goal F- Strategy 4)
• Complete a Service Plan, working with community agencies and stakeholders, to investigate and support the formation of a park and recreation special district. – Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan (Goal 1 – Objective 1.2)
• Establish and Special Park District for long-term management and funding for the Truckee River Corridor. – Truckee River Vision Plan (Key Recommendation for Parks & Open Space)

On June 4, 2025 Council approved a professional services agreement with PROS Consulting, Inc. to develop the Service Plan to investigate the formation of a park district in the amount of $223,550. On July 23, 2025 Council approved an Interlocal Agreement between Washoe County and the City of Reno to reimburse the City for the Parks Service Plan, in the amount of $100,000. The Redevelopment Agency has also confirmed a contribution to this plan in the amount of $60,000. 

Since then, City of Reno Parks and Recreation staff has been working with Washoe County and the City of Sparks to coordinate the development of this Service Plan. 

What is a Service Plan?

A Service Plan is a feasibility study that is outlined in by NRS Title 25 Chapter 318A – the Nevada Parks, Trails and Open Space District Act as a pre-requisite to consider the formation of a park district. A Service Plan must include a financial survey showing how the proposed services are to be provided and financed. The plan must also include a map of the boundaries of proposed districts and an estimate of the population and assessed valuation of the proposed district. Description of proposed facilities, improvements or projects with estimated costs must be included. 

If you’d like more information about the development of a service plan, we’d encourage you to view this presentation provided by PROS Consulting at the Joint Recreation and Parks Commission meeting.

What is a Park District?

A park district is a special-purpose local government created to provide parks, recreation facilities, trails, and open space services to a defined geographical area. This district operates independently, has a dedicated purpose and can be cross-jurisdictional. 

Funding methods available to park districts in Nevada include:

• Property Taxes - Ad valorem taxes can be levied with voter approval to support operations or capital improvements.
• Special Assessments (CFDs, SADs) - Localized fees assessed on property owners to fund specific improvements.
• Sales Tax Revenue - With voter or legislative approval, local sales tax increments can fund regional parks or amenities.
• Transient Lodging Taxes - Room taxes from hotel stays may be allocated to park infrastructure that supports tourism.
• Grants - Federal, state, and nonprofit grants like LWCF and RTP are key for capital projects and require matching funds.
• Park Impact Fees - Fees charged to developers to mitigate impacts of new growth on park systems.
• User Fees and Program Revenues - Revenues from facility rentals, entrance fees, and programs help support operations.
• Private Donations and Sponsorships - Park foundations and conservancies can raise supplemental funding and support.
• General Obligation Bonds - Voter-approved bonds secured by property taxes for large-scale capital projects.
• Revenue Bonds - Debt repaid through dedicated revenues like user fees; does not require voter approval.

If the created district seeks to impose any taxes or issue bonds, then a public vote is required. If no new taxes or debt are included, the district can be created by governing body resolution. If taxes or bonds are proposed, a ballot measure must be submitted to voters within the proposed district and a simple majority vote is required to pass the measure.

In a significant step to transform Reno into a hub for outdoor activities, the Reno City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan on November 8, 2023. The adoption follows years of planning and community input, culminating in a comprehensive strategy that focuses on improving outdoor space in the City.   

From public input, the City was able to identify top priorities which include improving existing parks, trails, and recreational facilities, identifying and acquiring land for new parks and recreational spaces, activating the City of Reno Truckee River corridor and downtown public spaces, and expanding recreational programming, special events, and educational opportunities. 

• Read the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan

Why is the PROS Plan Important?

The City of Reno last adopted a Recreation Facilities Plan in 2008.  Following the Great Recession, the department budget and personnel were cut and the information and recommendations identified within the plan was no longer accurate or feasible. As a result, very little from this plan was completed and most identified facility needs still exist as funding is an ongoing challenge. The PROS Master Plan development was driven by priorities established in the 2017 ReImagine Reno Master Plan, the largest public engagement effort in the City’s history. Our community established the becoming a base for outdoor activities as the number one vision for Reno. 

The PROS Master Plan development process consisted of four phases:
• Phase 1: Project Initiation. Review of the physical, demographic, and economic context of Reno to develop a snapshot of existing conditions and identify potential catalyst recommendations. 
• Phase 2: Vision, Guiding Principles and Goals. Identification of the vision and goals for the Reno Parks and Recreation system.
• Phase 3: Development of the Plan. Development and validation of conceptual designs, and recommendations to be considered for implementation.
• Phase 4: Finalization of the Plan. In this final stage, the Master Plan is recommended for adoption to the Reno City Council by the Recreation and Parks Commission.

Throughout the process of updating this plan, staff worked with multiple stakeholder groups, conducted a general citizen survey, held virtual community workshops, solicited general public input, and sought input from the Recreation and Parks Commission, Reno Access Advisory Committee, Neighborhood Advisory Boards, Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, Financial Advisory Board and Reno City Council. The last public engagement effort was conducted in August of 2023 wherein a draft of the plan was made available for public review and input was solicited from residents, the Recreation and Parks Commission and City Council.

• View 2008 Recreation Facilities Plan

Teglia’s Paradise Park is one of the City’s largest parks and houses important community resources including an activity center and a storm water retention pond system. There is not an existing master plan for this park, and as new opportunities for development and improvements are identified, it is important to have a master plan in place. 

The department held an initial community wide survey to gather feedback related to the park. Those survey results were compiled and the feedback gathered was used to develop conceptual designs showing possible improvement options at the park. 

• Review Survey #1 Results
• Paradise Park Concept A
• Paradise Park Concept B

On Monday, September 30, the Parks and Recreation department held a community workshop at Paradise Park Activity Center to present the initial survey findings and the resulting conceptual designs. Following this workshop, a second survey was held to gather feedback on the features included in the conceptual designs for Paradise Park. 

• Review Survey #2 Results

The feedback gathered for each of the conceptual designs was used to develop a preferred concept. The preferred concept will be made available and presented to the public at a community workshop scheduled to take place at Paradise Activity Center on Monday, March 31 at 5:00 pm.

• Review Preferred Master Plan concept
• Take the Survey to give us feedback on the Preferred Master Plan concept

Next Steps

The survey will close on Monday April 14, 2025. The feedback received during the workshop and survey will inform the draft Master Plan document which will be presented to the Recreation and Parks Commission at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting for potential adoption. This will be the final opportunity for public input related to this Master Plan before the plan is presented to City Council.  

The Barbara Bennett and Wingfield Parks Master Plan will play a role in shaping the future of these parks while ensuring that the community's voice is heard. The Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Stantec Consulting started developing this plan in January 2023. The initial idea for this Master Plan project was presented to the Ward 1 Neighborhood Advisory Board and the Recreation and Parks Commission.

The master plan project at Wingfield and Barbara Bennett Park will guide planning for improvements to the parks that will accommodate a wide range of ages, abilities, and interests for years to come.  

Development Process

The Parks and Recreation Department conducted a community-wide survey and met with Stakeholders to gather initial feedback for Wingfield, Whitewater and Barbara Bennett Parks. A community public input survey was also held to gather information related to the user experience for these parks. This initial feedback was used to develop initial conceptual designs showing potential improvements at these parks. The Parks and Recreation department held a public workshop to present these designs and along with a second community survey to solicit input regarding the conceptual designs. The input received was analyzed and used to develop the preferred plan for these parks which will be incorporated into the Preliminary Master Plan document. The preferred plan was presented at a virtual community workshop on October 30, 2024. A recording of the workshop is available for viewing on the City of Reno YouTube page. The Preferred Plan presentation is also available to review. 

The final Master Plan was presented to the Recreation and Parks Commission at their regular meeting on January 28, 2025. Input was provided by Commissioners and the public and the plan modified and was brought back for official endorsement by the Recreation and Parks Commission on February 25, 2025. 

• View the Wingfield/Barbara Bennett Master Plan