Reno officially broke ground last week on a $1.5 million
white-water park on the Truckee River, which tourism officials hope
will be a catalyst in attracting adventure travelers to the state.
The attraction is being built at Wingfield Park, with
construction expected to be complete by November. The park is
expected to be fully operational by next summer.
“The building of this white-water park represents a giant step
forward for outdoor recreation and economic vitality in our state,”
said Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, chairwoman of the Nevada Commission on
Tourism.
The 1,475-foot-long white-water park will incude a kayak slalom
racing course, pedestrian bridges to city streets, and a walkway
beneath the Arlington Avenue Bridge.
The park is the first of several improvements envisioned over
the next several years for a 24-mile stretch of the Truckee River,
which includes Glendale Dam and Pioneer Dam.
Nevada tourism officials said more than 33 million Americans
enjoy white-water sports, and kayaking has seen a 50 percent
increase in recent years.
The new white-water park has been under discussion for more than
four years and has been prompted by the proliferation of casinos in
California and nationwide, which compete for tourists with
Nevada.
The Nevada Commission on Tourism now promotes outdoor adventure,
and Reno’s new slogan is “America’s Adventure Place.”
