42 - Sparks Marina Park|
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With walking paths, trees and sandy beaches surrounding a 77 acre lake, the Sparks Marina Park is a great place for a family outing. The one-billion gallons of water are put to good use for recreational activities such as boating (no gas engines), scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing, fishing and swimming. Additional activities and facilities include a dog park, volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, showers and a concession stand (summer months).
The Sparks Marina is also home to several community events, including the Top O' the Mornin Fun Run, Kids Free Fishing Day, Kids Triathlon, Annual Turkey Trot and Mark Wellman's Adventure Day highlighting adaptive rock climbing, hand cycles and kayaking for children and adults with disabilities.
Nearby shopping includes the fall 2008 grand opening of Scheels, the world's largest all-sports store with a broad variety of retail items and entertainment/attractions providing fun for the whole family. Scheels is located just east of the Marina -- part of the Legends at Sparks Marina, a 1 million-square-foot shopping and entertainment destination currently under construction by RED Developent.
Visitors can also enjoy the beauty of the Marina from eateries and businesses overlooking the water, such as The Jib Coffee House & Wine Bar, Anchors Bar & Grill, and Scraps Dog Bakery -- a popular stop for those with four-legged friends. Additionally, Western Village Inn and Casino is located on the west side of the Marina with three restaurants and a casino.
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Location: |
300 Howard Drive | ||||||||||
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Directions: |
I-80 east to McCarran Blvd. exit. Head north on McCarran Blvd., turn right (east) on Nichols Blvd. Parking is available to the north and south of the roundabout at Nichols Blvd./Howard Drive. | ||||||||||
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Park size: |
81.01 acres | ||||||||||
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Amenities: |
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Accessibility
Swimming, fishing, picnics, restrooms, showers and the trail are all ADA accessible. If you have a disability and cannot hand launch your vessel, please call 691-9130 or 353-2376 prior to your arrival.
Swimming
Swimming for the 2009 season is now closed. Dates/times for 2010 TBA.
Fishing
Fishing hours are one hour before sunrise and two hours after sunset. The daily possession limit is five game fish, singly or in aggregate of which only one can be longer than 16 inches in length. Use of live bait fish is prohibited. Catch and release fishing is encouraged with the use of artificial flies or lures with only one barbless hook (fish must be returned to the water unharmed). Fish cleaning is allowed at the fish cleaning station only. Fishing is regulated by the State of Nevada Regulations and is prohibited in swimming and diving areas. Fishing regulations are available where fishing licenses are sold, or contact:
State of Nevada Division of Wildlife
1100 Valley Road
Reno, NV 89512
(775) 688-1500
Boating
Only boats without motors or boats with electric motors are permitted in the park. Operation of all boats must be in compliance with all State of Nevada and United States Coast Guard boating statutes and regulations. Docking of water vessels is permitted at the hand launch beach only. Live preservers are required equipment for anyone boating. Information on lifejacket requirements is provided in the Nevada Boat Act.
Scuba Diving
Scuba divers must check in with the Park Ranger before and after diving. Scuba diving alone is prohibited. Scuba diving is prohibited near the family swimming area. A scuba diver flag must be displayed at all times a diver is in the water. Boats involved in tethered scuba-diving activities must display an Alpha flag. Only certified divers or students with a certified instructor are permitted to dive. All scuba classes must be approved by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Keeping the Park Safe
To keep the Sparks Marina a safe and inviting place to visit, the following should be observed:
- Please do not distract the life guards. Questions should be directed to the guard office or ranger staff. Rangers monitor the facility from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
- Parents must watch their children at all times. Keeping your children within an arm's length is a good policy to follow.
- Toys, rafts, noodles, etc. cannot be used in place of swimming ability or for water safety purposes.
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times and are prohibited in swimming areas -- except for the Dog Park.
- Glass containers, alcohol and fishing are not permitted on the beach.
- Feeding the waterfowl is prohibited.
- Groups of 25 or more who wish to swim need to call ahead (353-7879) to make a reservation.
- Shade areas are first-come, first-served unless they are rented.
Water QualityThe Sparks Marina Lake is continuously recharged with fresh filtered ground water from an underground aquifer. This process is similar to an artesian well and produces a water quality that exceeds standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for recreational use. The lake is monitored regularly to ensure excellent water quality.
For more information about the biological and chemical testing that is being performed on the lake, please contact the City of Sparks Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility Laboratory at 861-4145.
Fun Facts
- The Marina contains an estimated one billion gallons of water.
- Approximately 2 to 3 million gallons of water enters the Marina daily.
- Average depth is 60 feet, with the deepest point being approximately 120 feet.
- The average temperature of the deepest parts is in the 40's all year around, while the shallow areas will heat into the 70's during the hot summer months.
Note: An All-Terrain Wheelchair is available for use by people with disabilities at the Sparks Marina Park. This unique piece of equipment will allow equal access to the sandy beaches and water with some personal assistance. Please call the Park Ranger office at 691-9130 for reservation and usage information
Thank you to Stephanie Foster with All Creatures Veterinary Hospital for donating two doggie waste dispensers for the Sparks Marina Park!
Download a copy of this map here.