WASHOE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
At their regularly scheduled meeting, the Board of Commissioners cited traffic congestion, parking issues and staff resource/enforcement capability as rationale to deny an agreement for an August car auction at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in a 4 to 1 vote (Breternitz dissenting).
The event scheduled during Hot August Nights was proposed by Silver Auctions and included a VIP social event and collector car auction. The commission encouraged the applicant to choose an event date or location that did not conflict with year-round school sessions and requested mitigation for potential traffic issues and other impacts to the park.
Washoe County Commissioner Kitty Jung, liaison to the Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space Commission, said she had concerns for the surrounding neighborhood. “The event as proposed doesn’t appropriately use Bartley Ranch due to the potential to create traffic and parking issues that may negatively affect the neighboring school which will be in session. Also, considering our current staff resource limitations, our ability to protect a park that is also recovering from a fire is limited.”
After review by the Regional Parks and Open Space Commission, the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners reviews all requests for large special events at Regional Parks to protect the public’s park resources and maximize the overall benefits of activities in the parks for citizens in Washoe County. Annually, numerous groups and organizations request special uses of Washoe County Park facilities from small to large events such as charitable fundraisers and the Great Reno Balloon Race to large private parties and company picnics. The events provide cultural, social and financial benefits to be derived from the proper management and implementation of these special uses and events.
The review process for this event was the same process used for other major special events at Washoe County Regional Parks. The Regional Parks and Open Space Commission unanimously recommended approval of the agreement in a public meeting March 6. The public review by Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space Commission and Board of County Commissioners takes into consideration the needs of the community, the ability of the park to support the event, public health and safety and state and county statutes and ordinances.
For additional information on special events at Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space please visit us online at www.washoeparks.com.
