Carson parks recognized for excellence

Fuji and Blackwells Pond parks were honored this year by the state's recreation and park society for excellence in design and renovation.

The Nevada Recreation and Park Society issued the Elmer H. Anderson Parks Excellence Awards to Carson City this week.

Blackwells Pond Park, located at Northridge and Spooner drives, is a neighborhood park with shade structure, picnic tables and playground equipment.

Fuji Park, located with Carson City Fairgrounds on Old Clear Creek Road by Costco, underwent a $1.08 million renovation last year, adding new playground equipment, restrooms, a parking lot and picnic facilities. The park reopened in May.

The project was funded by the sale of adjacent land, now the site of Costco, and funds from the Quality of Life initiative passed by voters in 1996.

Future projects at Fuji Park and the fairgrounds will include introducing a state-funded urban fishing pond. The Nevada Department of Wildlife Commission allocated $250,000 in May for the 1-acre pond project. Project organizers are still working out details of the plan and haven't started construction, said Parks and Recreation Director Steve Kastens.

A second round of improvements are planned for the park and fairgrounds area, but won't start until after this summer's event season, Kastens said.

"We're regrouping and putting together some plans," Kastens said.

Future work will likely include building an announcers booth, bucking shoots, a maintenance building and caretakers home.

At Mills Park, city crews completed construction on a new parking area along Highway 50. The city is holding off opening the lot for parking until it has been sealed and striped, Kastens said. Sealing can't take place until the weather warms up to at least 60 degrees.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.