Multi-use pasture at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park reopens

Off-leash dog park has reopened.

Reno, Nevada. March 19, 2016. The off-leash and multi-use pasture at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park reopened Saturday, March 19, 2016. 

The pasture has responded well to the measures taken last year and the moisture received over the winter. Joint restoration efforts, in cooperation with the Great Reno Balloon Races, will continue during the spring and the irrigation season.

The lower, most eastern portion of the pasture will continue to be closed, but the upper three-fourths of the pasture will be open beginning this Saturday.

“We are very excited to be able to open the multi-use pasture for our community. We thank the public for their patience and understanding, and we welcome you back to one of our community’s most popular off-leash areas,” Commissioner Jung said. “This area is in my district and enjoyed by thousands of park users and is also significant in the park’s character and heritage. We encourage everyone in the area to get out and enjoy the park with their beloved pets.”

Background Info

The multi-use pasture at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park was closed May 2015, due to lack of water. The irrigation for the multi-use pasture comes from the Highland Ditch which is fed from the Truckee River. However, the Federal Water Master shut the Highland Ditch off because of low water flows in the Truckee. In order to preserve the pasture for future use, the pasture was temporarily closed to all public use, including off-leash dogs, for the remainder of 2015.

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is owned and managed by Washoe County, through its Community Services Department.  The Department strives to provide exceptional parks and open space, and recreational opportunities while preserving our natural, historical and cultural resources. For more information on this or other Washoe County parks, please visit www.washoecountyparks.com.

###