550 University Terrace, Reno, NV 89503

Whitaker Park

Park Description:

Whitaker Park is an 8.15-acre Reno park with year-round restrooms.

Park Amenities:

Playground, dog park, tennis courts, picnic shelters, horeshoe court, rentable shelter, barbecue area, and tables/benches.

Park Highlights

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Park History

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

How it All Began

“Whitaker Park will eventually be the most beautiful park in Reno,” asserted Mayor E.E. Roberts, quoted in a 1926 Nevada State Journal article.

Whitaker Park, one of the oldest parks in Reno, was created on the site of the former Bishop Whitaker’s School for Girls. Ozi W. Whitaker, an Episcopal Bishop, was assigned to Reno in 1868 and opened the school in 1876 on land donated by Charles Crocker of the Central Pacific Railroad. Additional land was purchased from the railroad to expand the original half block donation. Despite the view, at the advantage of being built on a hilltop overlooking the town, the site was described as “drearily located in the midst of sagebrush.” Due to the persevering efforts of Bishop Whitaker, lawn, flowers and trees were planted before the school closed in 1894.

Image:
Photo by Nevada Historical Society.

Naming the Park and Culture Through the Years

After the school's closure, the Bishop Whitaker Hospital Association was formed and in 1917 the building was sold to two Washoe County ranchers and demolished for lumber. In 1922 the 6.5 acre plot was purchased by the city for a park. At the request of alumnae of the Whitaker School, who continued to meet annually for many years, the park was named in honor of Bishop Whitaker.

Whitaker Park was a vibrant hub for cultural and recreational activities for several decades. Many improvements and additions were made over the years and it became a popular site for public and private events including movies, concerts, puppet shows, watermelon feeds, political rallies, church socials, and go-cart races.

Fun little anecdote: In August 1952, five hundred people attended the ceremony in Whitaker Park to crown King and Queen of Playground— Tommy Lee, age 10, representing Pickett Park, and Patsy Brooks, age 11, from Mount Rose playground.

Image:
Bishop Whitaker School for Girls. Photo by Jerry Fenwick.

The Orr Ditch

The controversial Orr Ditch ran open through the south end of the park for many years. Today
open irrigation ditches have posed a serious hazard throughout Reno and Sparks and debates about ditch safety and funding raged for decades throughout the mid 1900’s. Solutions included diverting some ditches in order to decrease their number and extensiveness, but this resulted in increased water flow through the Orr Ditch.

In 1948, community help was sought to raise funds to improve safety; fundraising efforts
including door to door solicitations by local Parent Teacher Associations. In 1950, funds were approved to fence the ditch through Whitaker Park, reducing, although not eliminating the hazard. Eventually, the Orr Ditch was covered from Keystone Avenue to the university.

Image:
Photo provided by Washoe County.

Safety... and a Dog Park!

Fundraising to improve safety:
In 1948, community help was sought to raise funds to improve safety; fundraising efforts included door to door solicitations by local Parent Teacher Associations. In 1950, funds were approved to fence the ditch through Whitaker Park, reducing, although not eliminating the hazard. Eventually, the Orr Ditch was covered from Keystone Avenue to the university.

Dog Park:
Dogs can now enjoy a romp over the enclosed Orr Ditch! A dog park in Whitaker Park was
proposed by Jeff Mann, parks manager for Reno Parks and Recreation. A one acre, fenced, off-leash area complete with picnic tables, a drinking fountain, and dog waste stations was approved by the Reno City Council in April 2000.

Image:
Photo by Jerry Fenwick.

Tree Spire

A tree of an unusual species was planted in Whitaker Park in October 2009. Previously exhibited at Burning Man in 2007, and then in Reno in 2008 as part of “The Mangrove,” the 15-foot steel tree called “Tree Spire” is now a permanent sculpture in the park. The Tree Spire was designed by David Tabasco Mills and the Iron Monkeys out of Seattle. It is surrounded by a wooden bench and lit by lanterns at night. This lovely addition to the park was funded by a public challenge grant, Reno City Councilman Dave Aiazzi, and the Ward 5 neighborhood advisory group.

Image:
Photo provided by Washoe County.

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!

Whitaker 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:

City of Reno Parks & Facilities Directory - Whitaker Park
Reno Historical: Bishop Whitaker's School for Girls.
Facebook: Whitaker Park.
Marjorie A. Hanes, “Old Bishop Whitaker Seminary is Being Torn Down for Lumber,” Reno Gazette Journal.
“King and Queen of Playgrounds Are Selected,” Reno Evening Gazette, August 15, 1952.
Jacque Sundstrand, “When Ditches Became Urban: Reno Women and the Fight to Prevent Child Deaths,” Nevada State Historical Society Quarterly.
“Diversion Plan May End One Ditch Hazard in Reno,” Reno Evening Gazette.
Hazard in Reno,” Reno Evening Gazette.
“Fence for a Killer: Project is Mapped for the Orr Ditch,” Nevada State Journal.
Richard Moreno, “What Reno Lacks in Size it Makes Up in Assets,” Reno Evening Gazette.
Janice Hoke, “Reno Parks May Let Dogs Romp,” Reno Gazette Journal.
Ken Alltucker, “Dogs Will Run Free at One Reno Park,” Reno Gazette Journal.
Gerald Miller, “Black Rock Sculpture Gets New Home at Whitaker Park,” Reno Gazette Journal.

Contributor(s):

Janita Jobe (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

April 20, 2021, 4:26:48 AM

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