13750 Thomas Creek Rd, Reno, NV 89511

Saddlehorn Park

Park Description:

Saddlehorn Park is a 22-acre Washoe County park with restrooms.

Park Amenities:

Playground, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, picnic area, pathway, and tables/benches.

Park Highlights

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Park History

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Saddlehorn Park

Saddlehorn Park provides outdoor recreation opportunities for residents in Southeast Reno, in particular the Saddlehorn neighborhood. This neighborhood was approved by Washoe County commissioners in 1988 to be built on a 508-acre parcel of land and had it's grand opening in the summer of 1989.

Image:
Advertisement by Saddlehorn Homes.

Landscape Design

At the time of the subdivision’s grand opening in 1989, the first portion of the 20-acres set aside for Saddlehorn Park had already been completed and connected to an extensive trail system in the area for access by horses and hikers. Gary Hull, the landscape designer, used native plants such as pine trees, as well as boulders from the area, to give the park a local nature flavor.

The new subdivision was popular and sold out its first phase in just six months. More homes were built in subsequent phases, drawing Reno residents to the hiking, horse trails, and the parks. Saddlehorn Park was enlarged to include tennis courts, playground equipment, and a picnic pavilion. Residents anxiously awaited the opening of the new Galena High School in 1992.

Image:
Photo provided by Washoe County.

Mt. Rose Highway Completion

After the Mount Rose Route was completed in 1921, a new fire patrol needed to be established in Galena. The reason is that many more campers were using this new road to travel up to the mountains, adding to the potential for fires.

Seventy years later with the new Saddlehorn subdivision, and Lancer Estates (Galena Country Estates), there was a need to widen the Mount Rose Highway to four lanes from soon-to-be-constructed US Highway 395 up to the timberline. In addition, a new 5-acre shopping center was proposed, along with a business park and condominiums.

Image:
Advertisement by Saddlehorn Homes.

A Popular Destination

People were flocking to the area for the views and the open space. Not everyone was happy about the area becoming so popular. Some of the existing residents in the area were worried about impacts to water availability if developers filled up the land with tract housing. Some complained of the traffic and urban sprawl that come with dense housing and fast food restaurants. Still others worried about impacts to wildlife, such as birds, deer and coyote.

Nevertheless, Reno developer Kent Sweet was successful in getting the Washoe County Commissioners to approve the Galena Shopping Center in 1992. And by summer of 1993, the fifth phase of the Saddlehorn subdivision was 50% sold, and Thomas Creek Road had been extended to connect to the Mount Rose Highway. Saddlehorn developers boasted of 50 acres of parks.

Image:
Saddlehorn images from Google Earth. Top: 1994, bottom: 2018.

Get Involved!

Donate:

Make a donation to support the Parks Project or your favorite Parks Foundation program, project, or wherever its needed! Click here to donate today.

Volunteer:

Support our parks by volunteering with the Parks Foundation! Attend a volunteer event or choose an ongoing role. Click here to explore opportunities.

iNaturalist:

Out in our parks or open spaces? Try cataloguing the biodiversity around you with iNaturalist! All it takes is downloading the iNaturalist app onto your phone to get started.

Curious what's been seen in this park? Click the link below to see what species other have spotted!

Saddlehorn Park on iNaturalist

Contact:

Have a question about our parks or the Parks Project? Email us at parksproject@tmparksfoundation.org!

Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space - Saddlehorn Park

Adams, (1989, August 20). Reno's dream weavers. Reno Gazette-Journal (RGJ)
advertisement, (1989, August 5). RGJ.
Advertisement, (1993, August 28). RGJ.
Bremner, (1992, September 21). Mount Rose corridor set for major development. RGJ.
Bremner, (1992, September 21). Proposed center could set precedent. RGJ
Bremner, (1992, September 23). Washoe County commissioners OK Galena Crossing shopping center. RGJ.
Gordon, (1993, December 11). Saddlehorn. RGJ.
Hansen, (1990, March 24). 2 South Reno subdivisions worth noting. RGJ.
Mitchell, (1988, November 23). Commissioners OK subdivision. RGJ.
Nelson says road to lake would cost $20,000. (1919, August 5). Reno Evening Gazette (REG).
Newest Reno development saddles up. (1989, August 12). RGJ.
Opinion Page: Country planners - The right decision. (1994, January 4). RGJ.
Plan for highway over Mt. Rose discussed. (1920, February 2). REG.
Special fire patrol near Galena Creek. (1922, July 13). REG.

Contributor(s):

Jill Richardson (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

May 11, 2021, 1:58:10 AM

Back to All Parks

Biodiversity

13750 Thomas Creek Rd, Reno, NV 89511

Saddlehorn Park

Park Description:

Saddlehorn Park is a 22-acre Washoe County park with restrooms.

Park Amenities:

Playground, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, picnic area, pathway, and tables/benches.

Park Highlights

Park History

Click the image to read each topic's full text!

Get Involved!

Donate:

Make a donation to support the Parks Project or your favorite Parks Foundation program, project, or wherever its needed! Click here to donate today.

Volunteer:

Support our parks by volunteering with the Parks Foundation! Attend a volunteer event or choose an ongoing role. Click here to explore opportunities.

iNaturalist:

Out in our parks or open spaces? Try cataloguing the biodiversity around you with iNaturalist! All it takes is downloading the iNaturalist app onto your phone to get started.

​

Curious what's been seen in this park? Click the link below to see what species other have spotted!

Contact:

Have a question about our parks or the Parks Project? Email us at parksproject@tmparksfoundation.org!

Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

Contributor(s):

Last Updated:

May 11, 2021, 1:58:10 AM