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4385 Loreto Ln, Reno, NV 89502
Donner Party Park
Park Description:
Donner Party Park is a 1-acre Reno park without restrooms.
Park Amenities:
Grassy area and trees.
Park Contact Information:
City of Reno - Parks & Facilities (775) 334-2417
Park Highlights
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Park History
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The Park and Its Surrounding Neighborhoods
Donner Party Park sits on land that was once part of the Short Ranch, a cattle farm which included what is now the Millcreek and Donner Springs subdivisions, as well as Rattlesnake Mountain.
But the real history of the park goes back further than that, as this area is thought by historians to have been part of the Overland Emigrant Trail, where pioneers veered south away from the Truckee River to avoid what was once marshlands and replenish their fresh water from a nearby spring. A trail marker and monument at the park indicate where emigrant wagons traversed through this area, and in particular, the campsite of the Donner Party in 1846.
Donner Party Park is surrounded by the townhomes of the Millcreek subdivision built in the late 1980s, along with the park. The homes were built by Di Loreto Construction Company, who promised to set aside parkland to preserve the last undeveloped stretch of the emigrant trail. The nearby Donner Springs development was constructed in the mid-1970s by Lewis Homes of Nevada.
Image:
Jill Richardson.
But the real history of the park goes back further than that, as this area is thought by historians to have been part of the Overland Emigrant Trail, where pioneers veered south away from the Truckee River to avoid what was once marshlands and replenish their fresh water from a nearby spring. A trail marker and monument at the park indicate where emigrant wagons traversed through this area, and in particular, the campsite of the Donner Party in 1846.
Donner Party Park is surrounded by the townhomes of the Millcreek subdivision built in the late 1980s, along with the park. The homes were built by Di Loreto Construction Company, who promised to set aside parkland to preserve the last undeveloped stretch of the emigrant trail. The nearby Donner Springs development was constructed in the mid-1970s by Lewis Homes of Nevada.
Image:
Jill Richardson.
Donner Party
“Upon entering the Truckee Meadows along the Truckee River thousands of California-bound emigrants turned their wagons southwest to avoid extensive marshes and uncrossable sloughs. Here at the base of Rattlesnake Mountain the emigrants established a campground which extended nearly two miles to the east and west, one half mile north and south. Numerous local springs furnished quality water and the protected location of the camp provided an ideal locale for a rest stop after hundreds of grueling miles spent traversing the Humboldt River Valley. Once rested, the emigrants turned west to face their last major obstacle, the Sierra Nevada.
In October of 1846, the ill-fated Donner Party spent five days in this area resting and grazing their weary animals. Plagued by a series of unfortunate incidents one member of the party, William Pike, was accidentally shot, died and was buried in the vicinity.”
--Inscription on the memorial plaque at Donner Party Park.
Image: [Link to History Hunters episode: https://youtu.be/swL9IqEKPTw ]
Source: Used with permission of “History Hunters”.
In October of 1846, the ill-fated Donner Party spent five days in this area resting and grazing their weary animals. Plagued by a series of unfortunate incidents one member of the party, William Pike, was accidentally shot, died and was buried in the vicinity.”
--Inscription on the memorial plaque at Donner Party Park.
Image: [Link to History Hunters episode: https://youtu.be/swL9IqEKPTw ]
Source: Used with permission of “History Hunters”.