Change is in the Air - and in our Local Parks

Spring is a time for change and renewal. In the Reno and Sparks area currently, we see things changing even just within a walk down the street. New buildings popping up, potholes being covered, gardens being worked on, things are changing little by little every day! One big change we are really excited to see is at a local park you may be familiar with... Paradise Park!

Things are about to look a little different at our local Paradise Park. Currently the park features a traditional swing set, monkey bars, and slide set up pictured below. The plans in place currently are to completely revitalize the space with a more modern and up-to-date play area that will be an exciting attraction for children and families in the Reno and Sparks community. Improvements to the playground and picnic shelter will soon be underway and renovations will set the stage for a new multi-structure playground aimed for ages 2-12 (but we know you want to get in there too!). Out with the old and in with the new, there will be lots of fun twists and turns for children on the new additions of the play area which will include a merry-go-round, zip line, and ninja-style fitness course. Removing the old traditional play set and creating a more open and diverse play area for children I strongly believe will set the tone for more play, family engagement in the community, and all around spark for outdoor engagement.

For families and park-goers the new plans will also include the addition of seated areas ie. benches and picnic tables, as well as new scenery and safety perimeters with upgraded landscape and fencing between the playground and parking lot on the park's north side. Paradise park is surely working towards living up to its name with the new features that will make this park feel like an outside abode. New and improved restrooms will be relocated near the parking lot entrance and the existing restrooms will be repurposed into a storage facility. There has also been a call for artists to construct a large mural on the south wall and west walls exterior of the activity center at Paradise Park. It is said this 2,000 square foot mural in addition to the park's playground and bathroom improvements will add character to the neighborhood. It will surely be exciting to see the many changes that will take place at the park over the year.

“This project is an important step in creating a more vibrant community for people of all ages to enjoy,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. Funding for the project was obtained from prior years’ unused Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations and residential construction tax from tax district 3.This project will include Spanish Springs Construction and Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for its completion. The project is estimated to cost approximately $1.3 million and is set to be completed by the summer of 2023. Prior to these renovations, the most recent improvements to Paradise Park included the walking path in 2017, and a lighted mini-pitch court system in 2021. With these updates to the oldest spaces in the park I am sure it will bring a breath of fresh air to the community. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve shared “We look forward to engaging with residents in the long-term vision of Paradise Park through the upcoming master plan process.”

Change is upon us, and it is exciting! For long time Paradise Park-goers, Reno/Sparks families, and future community members, we are excited and hopeful to see the long lasting effects these improvements will have on surrounding communities!

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About the Author:

Amari is an Americorps Vista for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation and began service in March of 2023. While finishing service Amari is most excited to work with the grants team and get to know the ins and out of non-profit funding. Amari studied Theatre Performance and received a certificate in Global Education from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond Virginia. Amari has been to over six countries and found her love for travel when studying abroad in London England summer of 2019 as a U.S. Department of Education Benjamin A. Gilman scholar. Fun fact about Amari is she speaks French and studied dialects while gaining her college degree and can pull off Dublin, Cajun, Australian, Caribbean, Southern, and British accents at the drop of a hat.