1515 S Rock Blvd, Sparks, NV 89431

Rock Park

Park Description:

Rock Park is a 5-acre Sparks park with restrooms. The park is located along the Truckee River and offers access to the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail.

Park Amenities:

Playground, pathways, bike path, picnic area, and tables/benches

Park Contact Information:

City of Sparks - Parks & Recreation (775) 353-2376

Park Highlights

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Park History

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

Tahoe-Pyramid Trail

The 114-mile Tahoe-Pyramid Trail is being constructed to create a bike trail along the entire length of the Truckee River. But the start of this vision has humble beginnings going back to the mid-1970’s with a proposal to link 4 parks along the Truckee River in Sparks with a walking/bike trail. Rock Park was dedicated in 1979 along with 3 other parks to create The Truckee River Greenbelt Park System which ran from Fisherman’s Park to the Joint Sewage Treatment Facility. Federal, state, state park, and City of Sparks funds in the amount of $1.2M were used to build the 4 parks. Brierley Construction was the contractor. Mike Brierly started his construction company in 1976 after a career in the Parks and Recreation Department with the City of Sparks. A walking/bike path along the Truckee River connected the parks. During the building of the park by Brierly Construction a dispute arose over who owned the land between 2 old time ranching families, the Cassinellis and the Nash’s with Richard and Russell Nash claiming a change in the course of the river moved the boundary of their property to the other side of the river. The lawsuit did not stop the building or opening of the park.

Upgrades

In 2009 Rock Park received a $1.25M upgrade. State senators Bill Raggio, Maurice Washington, and Randolph Townsend were instrumental in securing funding. Upgrades included a whitewater park with 5 drops, shade structures, playground equipment, trail upgrades, and ADA compliance. Jim Litchfield of Fluid Concepts designed the whitewater park.

Rock Park Today

Today, summer weekends in the park are filled with families enjoying a picnic, wading in the cool water, using the playground equipment or kayaking in the whitewater park. During the week the park is a regular standby for employees in the surrounding industrial area to enjoy a peaceful, quiet, outdoor lunch.

Present Day

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!

Rock 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 Sparks - Parks & Community Facilities

Contributor(s):

Jim Dickey (history & history photos)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

September 15, 2023 at 4:29:40 PM

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