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630 Manzanita Ln, Reno, NV 89509
Manzanita Park
Park Description:
Manzanita Park is a 12-acre Reno park with restrooms (opened seasonally: late April-Early October weather permitting).
Park Amenities:
Playground, baseball/softball field, tennis courts, basketball court, volleyball court, horseshoe area, exercise area, pathways, picnic shelter, rentable shelter, barbeque area, and tables/benches.
Park Contact Information:
City of Reno - Parks & Facilities (775) 334-2417
Park Highlights
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Park History
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Park Overview
Construction on Manzanita Park was approved by the Reno City Council in 1978 and work began two years later. The impetus for adding this park to the city’s portfolio was that many families were moving into the new housing subdivisions which were being built around that time. The city was aware that the existing parks were so popular that they were often at capacity. By 1981, families were enjoying the 4-acre park’s many amenities—the picnic pavilion, baseball/softball field, restrooms, and the playground area.
Almost a decade later, funds were earmarked for improvements and work began to expand the park’s area. Added were irrigated landscaping, pathways, prefabricated bridges, parking, and eventually picnic tables, fencing, volleyball and tennis courts. According to the Parks and Recreation Community Service Department, the park was expanded to thirteen acres at that time and was used by baseball/softball leagues and family gatherings. Along with Horseman’s Park, Manzanita Park was one of southwest Reno’s most popular parks in the late 1990s.
Image:
Bridge and pathway.
Image by Jay Kolbet-Clausell.
Almost a decade later, funds were earmarked for improvements and work began to expand the park’s area. Added were irrigated landscaping, pathways, prefabricated bridges, parking, and eventually picnic tables, fencing, volleyball and tennis courts. According to the Parks and Recreation Community Service Department, the park was expanded to thirteen acres at that time and was used by baseball/softball leagues and family gatherings. Along with Horseman’s Park, Manzanita Park was one of southwest Reno’s most popular parks in the late 1990s.
Image:
Bridge and pathway.
Image by Jay Kolbet-Clausell.
D. C. Wheeler
The land on which the Manzanita Park resides was once owned by “Uncle Dan.” Daniel C. Wheeler was born in 1840 in Ohio and came west across the plains to Salt Lake City at the age of 18. Against the advice of many, he and a few colleagues crossed the Great Basin and arrived in this area in 1858 when, according to Wheeler, there was only one other white man living here—Gus Martin. Wheeler used a team to transport Martin’s vegetables and hay to the Sierra County mines. He caught the mining bug and spent several years mining.
Eventually, Wheeler finally settled down in the Truckee Meadows and began his successful sheep-raising business. By the time he died in 1915, D. C. Wheeler, Inc. was one of the largest and wealthiest land owners in the West, owning about 50,000 sheep throughout the state which were used for mutton. His estate was valued at $300,000—that’s equal to $7.7 million in 2020! Wheeler was married to Sarah E. Ridenour; they had four sons and two daughters. Sarah was born in the east and crossed the plains to Oregon in 1854 at the age of four; during the trip the wagon train was held up and her parents were robbed of all their money. She died in 1931.
Eventually, Wheeler finally settled down in the Truckee Meadows and began his successful sheep-raising business. By the time he died in 1915, D. C. Wheeler, Inc. was one of the largest and wealthiest land owners in the West, owning about 50,000 sheep throughout the state which were used for mutton. His estate was valued at $300,000—that’s equal to $7.7 million in 2020! Wheeler was married to Sarah E. Ridenour; they had four sons and two daughters. Sarah was born in the east and crossed the plains to Oregon in 1854 at the age of four; during the trip the wagon train was held up and her parents were robbed of all their money. She died in 1931.
The Subdivisions Arrive
By the 1970s, D. C. Wheeler, Inc. had divided and subdivided many of their property holdings, and this area came under development for housing by Lewis Homes. In 1973, the nearby Willowbrook apartments were developed and offered for rent. More followed, such as the Parkwood condominiums, senior living apartments, and housing subdivisions.
The Renada Crest homes, just north of Manzanita Park came along around 1967. A unique feature of Renada Crest was that the homes could use geothermal heating. With natural hot springs under the area, these homes had water piped from wells which was used as energy for furnaces and hot-water systems. Many of the residents drilled wells initially, but over time the cost to drill became less economical and some went to traditional heating. Willow Glen homes were developed by Lewis Homes in 1992, which advertised prices below $125,000 and three different floor plans. The Roberts Subdivision sprang up, boasting extra-large lots. The Redfield Estates area was built by Lewis Homes in 1992 as a small, private community with 60 homes. Despite the heavy traffic on roads surrounding Manzanita Park, residents in the area enjoy a calmness within their subdivisions, as well as close proximity to the park and to shopping.
Image:
Geothermal heat pump. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency.
The Renada Crest homes, just north of Manzanita Park came along around 1967. A unique feature of Renada Crest was that the homes could use geothermal heating. With natural hot springs under the area, these homes had water piped from wells which was used as energy for furnaces and hot-water systems. Many of the residents drilled wells initially, but over time the cost to drill became less economical and some went to traditional heating. Willow Glen homes were developed by Lewis Homes in 1992, which advertised prices below $125,000 and three different floor plans. The Roberts Subdivision sprang up, boasting extra-large lots. The Redfield Estates area was built by Lewis Homes in 1992 as a small, private community with 60 homes. Despite the heavy traffic on roads surrounding Manzanita Park, residents in the area enjoy a calmness within their subdivisions, as well as close proximity to the park and to shopping.
Image:
Geothermal heat pump. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency.