Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission Meeting - July 29, 2026

The Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission convened on July 29, 2026, at 1:30 PM with a quorum present. Commissioners Timothy Dake, Nicole Flankis, Sean Hill, Neil Jones, Chris Baker, Kevin Joel, Miles Kinsler, and Liazad Barlewis Garcia attended; Jenny Uvera was excused. The meeting included public comments, approval of previous minutes, presentations on projects and department operations, and a budget update.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The draft minutes from the joint parks commission meeting on April 30, 2026, and the Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission meeting on May 27, 2026, were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris Myers (South Reno resident) expressed support for keeping Virginia Foothills Park as an on-leash dog area, citing personal experience with dog attacks on his family. He thanked commissioners for their work.
• Richard (last name not provided) advocated for an off-leash zone at Virginia Foothills with clear boundaries and signage, arguing that responsible dog owners benefit from such areas and that social pressure alone is insufficient.
• Jim Stewart (Rancho San Rafael area resident) praised the park staff and rangers for their work despite being understaffed. He suggested reinstating a neighborhood advisory board for Rancho San Rafael to improve public engagement and address rumors.

Presentations, Reports, and Discussion Items

Eagle Scout Project – Firewood Shed at Davis Creek Regional Park

• Nirav Baya (Troop 15) presented his project: construction of a firewood shed with a side table for cutting and storing firewood, replacing a shed destroyed in the 2024 Davis Creek fire. Materials were donated by Chucky Tahoe Lumber and Home Depot.

Eagle Scout Project – Swan Lake Beautification

• Megan Velasquez (Troop 55G) presented her project: installation of eight Leopold benches (bird-watching benches), trail clearing, and trash removal at Swan Lake Nature and Study Area. Total volunteer hours: 167. Donations from MasterCraft and Lowe’s. Benches were secured with chains to prevent flood displacement.

Davis Creek Weather Station License Agreement (Item 6)

• Fay Mary Picard (Park Planner) presented a proposal for a license agreement with the Truckee River Flood Management Authority (TRFMA) to construct, operate, and maintain a weather monitoring station at Davis Creek Regional Park (APN 046-041-10). The station replaces one destroyed in the 2024 fire. The new location offers better data accuracy. Approval is contingent on a determination by the Nevada Division of State Parks that the station is consistent with Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) requirements; if a conversion is required, the county will not proceed. The station will collect precipitation and temperature data every 15 minutes, publicly accessible via Synoptic Data Viewer. No fiscal impact to the county beyond staff time. Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner McKinsey, approved unanimously.

Fuel Reduction Projects Update (Item 12)

• Joanne Louden (Natural Resource Planner Coordinator) provided a detailed update on recent fuel reduction projects on park properties. Key projects include:
  • Silver Knolls Park (2024-2025): Mosaic fuels reduction, fuel breaks, dead material removal – funded by Long Valley Hazard Mitigation Grant (Truckee Meadows Fire).
  • Sun Valley Regional Park (2024-2026): Similar treatments – funded by Jasper Hazard Mitigation Grant.
  • Galena Creek Regional Park (2024-present): 185 acres treated at a cost of $520,000, including hand and mechanical thinning, mastication, and pile burning (ongoing). Timber sent to Tahoe Forest Product Sawmill.
  • Davis Creek Regional Park post-fire recovery (ongoing): 75 acres treated, $131,000 invested, hazard tree removal, pre-emergent herbicide application via drone, and planned drill seeding.
  • Bowers Mansion Regional Park (2026-2027): 18 acres treated, $54,000 invested, focused on forest health and defensible space around historic structures.
  • Arrow Creek Sheep Grazing (since 2013): Annual project with Borderland Sheep Company, ~900 sheep graze 1,500 acres (including Washoe County open space) to reduce fuels. No direct cost to county. Discussion included clarification on NEPA requirements, controlled burning (not permitted by the county), and cost comparison (goat grazing ~$30,000 for 10 acres).

Parks Budget and Operations Presentation (Item 13)

• Stephanie DRC (Operations Superintendent) presented the parks department budget for FY25 and FY27. Key points:
  • Revenue: 12% of parks budget from charges for services (recreation, reservations, field rentals, rafting permits, etc.), reimbursements, donations (digital donations rose to $11,500 in FY25), and grants (over $5 million awarded). Davis Creek revenue fell from ~$200,000 in FY24 to $0 post-fire.
  • Expenditures: Salaries and benefits account for 61% of the budget; services and supplies 36% (including infrastructure preservation). The department has 45 FTE (2 vacant), well below the national standard of 8.1 FTEs per 10,000 residents (~400+).
  • Budget context: Flat budget for FY27; structural deficit with no net new positions; 3% salary savings. Infrastructure preservation and capital projects separately funded.
  • Key metrics: Park attendance grew 66% since 2016 (vs. 14% population growth); service level $21 per resident per year.
  • FY27 priorities: Irrigation and amenity condition assessments, fee schedule update, development of clear service levels, trail maintenance plan.

Director’s Report (Item 15)

• Eric Crump (Community Services Director) reported:
  • Canopa Ranch Open Space Trailhead improvements bid awarded.
  • Board of County Commissioners approved a 25-year license agreement with MAS Golf for Sierra Sage Golf Course, including $16,000/month capital replenishment payments (~$3 million total improvements).
  • Accepted $300,000 annual donation from Wilbur May Foundation for the museum and arboretum.
  • South Valleys Regional Park Phase 2 expansion (two softball fields, concession, restrooms) was pulled from the June BCC agenda due to bid analysis and will return in August.
  • Received a $100,000 Recreation Trails Program grant for improvements to the nature trail at Rancho San Rafael.

Key Outcomes

• All motions passed unanimously: Approval of minutes, weather station license agreement, recognitions, and proclamations.
• Dog leashing policy: Commissioner Kinsler requested that an item regarding off-leash dog areas (specifically Virginia Foothills Park) be placed on the next meeting agenda, with staff recommendation.
• Park district feasibility study: Consultant work ongoing; draft plan expected in September; a joint park commission meeting with Reno and Sparks is planned for October to review.
• South Valleys expansion: Phase 2 will be reconsidered by the Board of County Commissioners in August 2026.
• Next meeting: Likely October 2026 for the joint park commission meeting on the feasibility study.