Sparks (including Spanish Springs) Aimone Park Location: Queen Way east of Pyramid Way, next to Lena Juniper Elementary School. Ardmore Park Location: Corner of East Oddie Boulevard and Twelfth Street, across the street from the Sparks Library and Sparks High School. Burgess Park Location: Pyramid Way between Greenbrae Drive and Holman Way. Cottonwood Park Location: Spice Islands Drive in Sparks, off Greg Street east of McCarran Boulevard. Deer Park Location: Corner of Rock Boulevard and Prater Way. Don Mello Sports Complex Location: Lincoln Way at Sparks Boulevard, northwest of Wild Island Adventure Park. Longford Park Location: Corner of Greenbrae Drive and Boise Drive, west of McCarran Boulevard. Oppio Park Location: Sullivan Lane south of Wedekind Road, next to Sparks Middle School. Pah Rah Park Adjacent to Jerry Whitehead Elementary School in East Sparks, Pah Rah Park is the idyllic small-town neighborhood park. Two covered picnic areas are the main attraction of Pah Rah, but it offers a little bit of everything. The large open grass area makes a great place to throw around a football or kick a soccer ball. A small jungle gym keeps the little ones entertained while the teens and adults play on the twin tennis courts or the small basketball blacktop. The maze of lighted paths make Pah Rah a perfect place to roller blade during the summer, with a variety of hills and turns to excite any serious skater. But mainly Pah Rah is a quiet park where families can enjoy a sunny afternoon picnic. Location: Vista Boulevard in Sparks, next to Jerry Whitehead Elementary School. The main entrance is on Vista Boulevard. Another entrance is located on Shadow Lane at the end of the East Sparks Greenbelt. Features: Barbecue areas, children's playground, covered pavillions, fitness trail, lighted paths, restrooms, sand pits for volleyball and horseshoes. Sports Venues: Basketball, tennis. Rock Park Location: Rock Boulevard, on the Truckee River, north of Mill Street. Shadow Mountain Park Shadow Mountain sits in the background of the softball fields. Photo by Jason Myers. Shadow Mountain Park in Sparks is the place to be from spring to fall. Shadow Mountain is the ultimate sports-lover's dream park. It boasts four tournament quality softball fields that are the home of the Reed Raiders and the ASA Sparks Heat, year-round soccer fields, Reed High School's baseball field for Babe Ruth and American Legion, a large grass area that becomes four Little League fields in spring and two soccer fields in fall, four basketball courts at the high school, the Northern Nevada Regional Track Facility, four tennis courts and the Shadow Mountain cross country course. The Reed High hill is a wonderful place to just sit and watch the stars or watch the Fourth of July fireworks show. However, without barbecue areas or a playground, Shadow Mountain is a park for serious sports lovers only. Location: Sparks Boulevard between Baring Boulevard and Shadow Lane, right behind Reed High School. From Interstate 80 take the Sparks Boulevard exit and head north three miles. Go across Baring Boulevard and the park is on the right side of the street. Extra parking is available at Reed High School or on Shadow Lane. Features: Open grass areas, restrooms. Sports Venues: Baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, tennis. Special Attractions: Northern Nevada Regional Track Facility and Shadow Mountain cross country course. Shelley Park Location: Truckee Lane at Baring Boulevard, east of McCarran Boulevard. Van Meter Park Location: Corner of Fargo Way and O'Callaghan Drive, west of Sparks Boulevard. Willowcreek Station Park Location: East Prater Way at Station Street, west of Sparks Boulevard. Posted Dec. 1, 1998 Copyright 1998 Nevada Outpost TOP | BACK   Nevada Outpost is produced by students at the Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost