The Weird World of Parks
The world is a strange place if you stop to think about it. So many things out there happen by coincidence, fate, or whatever crazy universal force there is that keeps the planet spinning at 1,000 miles per hour every day. So there are bound to be some wild and wacky occurrences happening everywhere and our local parks are no exception, as the most amateur of amateur detectives at TMPF I decided I needed to investigate these wild and wacky park facts and present my findings to you.
Case #1: The Missing Bears of Idlewild Park
Our first mystery takes us right outside the TMPF office at 50 Cowan Drive in Reno to Idlewild Park. Once a collection of ranches, this 49 acre park along the Truckee River has been a staple of the area since 1921, offering recreational opportunities for local families for the past century. In 1927, just six years after the opening of Idlewild, Reno saw an opportunity to use Idlewild park to showcase the importance of the community to the country as highways 50 and 40 were combined to create the first transcontinental highway in the United States. My research has shown that the celebration of this was massive and led to two things that are standing today, the original Reno arch and the California building. Now the arch itself is pretty neat in its own right, but we’re here for mysteries and the California building is ripe for them. First, why is it called the California building? Reno is in Nevada right? According to the National Register of Historic Places the answer is simple: most of the exhibitors housed in the building during the 1927 Transcontinental Highway Exposition were from California and the building itself was also a gift from the state of California. Cool, mystery solved right? Not so fast! When the building was opened there were two statues of grizzly bears stationed at the front of the building, which are no longer there. Where did they go? Are they back in California? Were they demolished? Are they hiding in someone’s basement? Nobody I spoke to knew.
Case # 2: The Walking Buildings of Bartley Ranch
Next we’ll travel to Bartley Ranch Regional Park. This Washoe County Park has history at every corner of its 56 acres. From the ditches that carried water making life in Reno possible, to the historic buildings that offer a glimpse into the past when this was a working ranch, there are mysteries around every corner. In fact did you know that the historic Huffaker Schoolhouse that is on the property wasn’t originally there? Originally built to serve the community of Huffaker in 1867, this one room schoolhouse was slowly surrounded by the growth of Reno two miles east of its current location on Virginia street. Two miles might seem like a long way for a building to move but the schoolhouse didn’t move nearly as far as the other buildings on the property. One might think that all the old outbuildings were just part of the ranch, but most of them came from an area by Boomtown back in 2004. That’s nearly 13 miles by car! On top of that it’s not the first time these buildings have moved. According to Truckee Meadows Tomorrow the buildings were first found at the Joe Ferretto ranch and have been dated between the 1860’s and 1910’s. With history dating back to before Reno was established could they have been moved more times than we know? Maybe, but for the moment they’re right at home at Bartley Ranch Regional Park.
Case # 3: The Amusing Disappearance of Belle Isle
Long time Reno residents might remember the amusement park at Rancho San Rafael that is now part of the Nevada Farms and Families area, others remember attractions at Idlewild park including the train rides. Few people around would remember Belle Isle, even though its footprint is currently in one of the most central parks in the city. Back in 1909 a man named Lewis E. Hinkley purchased a small island in the Truckee River. This island was transformed using natural foliage such as cottonwoods, willows, poplars and wild rose bushes. Access was created with walkways and Mr. Hinkley was so inspired by what he had created that he named the island Belle Isle, French for “beautiful island”. In 1911 he transformed the island into a resort featuring a dance hall, small boat rentals, a 700 seat theater and even a short airstrip. By 1912 parts of the river had been dammed to create areas for swimming and a roller rink was added as well creating what at the time would definitely qualify as an amusement park. However the fortunes of Lewis E. Hinkley were short lived and in 1916 Belle Isle was bankrupt, the city tried to make it a permanent amusement park but due to more financial challenges in 1920 the land was sold to one George Wingfield who immediately donated the land back to the city as the public park that now bears his name. If you visit today it’s hard to tell that a century ago the area now known as Wingfield park was the Belle Isle amusement park, but the park continues to be a place of fun and entertainment for everyone year round.
These are just a few of the weird and wacky mysteries our area parks hold close. There are many many more to discover though, so this detective is going to go down a wikipedia rabbit hole and maybe even go to the 3rd page of a google search to see what else is out there.
About the Author
Matt is the Communications Manager for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. After serving with TMPF as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2017 he worked to promote AmeriCorps programs throughout Nevada for four years and is excited to be back at the place that started his journey in the nonprofit world. Matt studied Radio Television Production at the University of Montana and brings over a decade of experience to the TMPF communications team. When he isn't working you can find Matt watching baseball, hiking with his family, or being pulled behind a boat.
Local parks have several events that may be due to chance, coincidence or fate, which many people cannot explain. watermelon game
Love this!