General Park Information:
Thomas Creek Park is a 6-acre park without a restroom.
Amenities Include:
Playground, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, picnic area, walking paths, benches, and beautiful views of the Truckee Meadows and the Carson Range.
Here is a link to Thomas Creek Park on Washoe County’s website.
View the slideshow to see some of Thomas Creek Park's amenities!
Thomas Creek History
Going back hundreds of years before the development of this area, Washoe and Paiute tribes would travel from the Truckee Meadows to Lake Tahoe along the area of Thomas Creek. During the early days after settlers arrived for the Comstock Lode, Thomas’ canyons provided timber for use in the mines, both as square-set timbering to keep the mines from collapsing, and for use as firewood to power the steam engines. Trees were more prevalent on the south side of the canyon than the north side. The mills that cut the timber where built in 1862 by John M. Thomas (whom the canyon and creek are named after) and Mr. Welch. The mills were bought by T.K. Hymers in 1868 and closed around 1869. During that time, Frank Bricker owned another mill a couple miles above Thomas’ mill in the canyon.
19th Century Sawmill from the Cascade Mountains
Main Sign
Photo by: Jill Richardson
history
Submission Box for Personal Stories/Photos:
Do you have personal photographs or stories about this park and are willing to share your memories with your community? Stories and photos can be recent adventures in the park, old memories of what the park used to be like, or fond remembrances of what this park has meant to you in the past. Sharing your photographs and memories will help to build our shared history of these important public places. Click here to submit your stories and/or photos!
biodiversity
Typical flora and fauna:
The following are a few of our favorite highlights.
See the community submission section below to view additional wildlife sightings found at this park, and submit you own favorite naturalist sightings on iNaturalist here!
Fauna:
community submissions
Biodiversity Submissions:
Community Stories and Photos:
Your Name
Thomas Creek Park
Tell us your stories about this park or share your photographs to add to the growing record of our shared park history!
Your Name
Thomas Creek Park
Tell us your stories about this park or share your photographs to add to the growing record of our shared park history!
Your Name
Thomas Creek Park
Tell us your stories about this park or share your photographs to add to the growing record of our shared park history!
volunteer highlights
Thomas Creek Park History Researcher
Jill Richardson
Jill is the History Researcher for this park. She has dedicated time to research and document the history of the Thomas Creek Park and region. Thank you Jill for your commitment to our parks and historic preservation!
Volunteer Researcher:
To learn more about volunteering for this Project, click here.
Enjoy history? Then consider volunteering as a History Researcher today!
Like plants and animals? Then volunteer as our Biodiversity Researcher!
Researchers Needed:
Rephotography Site Stewards:
To learn more about the Parks Rephotography Project, click here.
Kimberlee Hill is the Site Steward for Thomas Creek Park. She has been involved with The Parks Rephotography Project since 2014.
Thank you Kimberlee for your dedication to the Parks Foundation! Click here to see the collection!
Click here to view this collection.
Kimberlee Hill:
References/more info
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Washoe County: Thomas Creek Park.
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Truckee River and Watershed Information at One Truckee River.
General Park Resources:
History Resources:
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Reno Gazette Journal Article: “Accident” June 16, 1876.
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Reno Gazette Journal Article: “Thomas’ Canyon: A Ride Through the Oldest Part of Nevada.” July 22, 1879. (pg. 3).
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Reno Gazette Journal Article: November 23, 1977.
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Reno Gazette Journal Article: “Advertisement” October 6, 1978.
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Reno Gazette Journal Article: June 4, 1987.
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Reno Gazette Journal Article: “Notice to Contractors.” January 24, 1991. (pg. 22).
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Nevada State Journal Article: “Abraham Banta, Respondent, vs L.C. Savage, Appellant.” June 29, 1877 (pg. 3).
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Nevada State Journal Article: “One Hundred Dollars Reward.” Dalton, P. November 3, 1893. (p. 2).
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NextDoor App. Local History. “Mt Ranch area of Reno, Nevada.” Thomasson, B. November 3, 2018.
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Interview of Brown, A. Park Ranger II. September 25, 2018. (J. Richardson, Interviewer).