Although this area is a former gravel pit, it has been developed into one of the most popular summer destinations in the Reno-Sparks area. Plans were underway to turn the 30-metre pit into a recreational lake when the Great Truckee River Flood of 1997 hit. This filled the hole overnight and completed the plans with a natural twist of good fortune. The lake now covers over four square kilometres and is fed by an underground spring which ensures the water is always clear.
Sparks Marina Park is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike and has two patrolled beaches. One is designated as a swimming zone and is extremely safe. Two free volleyball courts are available to play on and children are catered for with a large play area. During the summer, a refreshment stand sells light snacks and drinks, but the option is also there to bring your own picnic when visiting the site.
Many visitors to the park kayak or canoe on the lake in the shadow of the stunning mountainous landscape. The only water craft permitted on the lake are non-motorised and those with electric motors. The wearing of life jackets at all times is also strictly enforced. Diving is permitted but you must ensure that you never dive alone and always check in with rangers before and after every dive.
The grounds surrounding the lake are lush with vegetation and the three-kilometre trail can be explored on a bike or on foot. Fishing is permitted but you must not fish until you have purchased a licence from one of the nearby shops.
Sparks Marina Park is an all-year-round attraction but, for obvious reasons, it is busiest in the summer months. There is public transport available from the centre of Reno to the park, which also has ample free parking. Wheelchair access to the site and facilities is good. The shops selling snacks are only open during the summer months so remember to pack your own food if you are visiting outside of these times. The park is located in Sparks, about a ten-minute drive east of Reno.
