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There is a new place to play in Truckee!
As of a ceremonial ribbon cutting on October 26 at 5 p.m., the gates are open for an impressive new park and outdoor gathering space. The area, once a basic playground, has been the focus of five years of planning and dreaming for the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe Community Project (CATT CP), the Mark Tanner Construction company and the Truckee-Donner Park and Recreation District.
The land is owned by the Truckee-Donner Park and Recreation District. The park is being built on the TDRPD’s Community Arts Center property and is a key element of the redevelopment project of historic downtown Truckee. The old playground is being converted to include an outdoor amphitheater, a sensory garden, a picnic area, benches and natural boulders that will creatively function as play structures. The ADA-accessible park will serve as a welcome respite for people of all ages for many years to come.
Truckee Downtown Park's paths invite all ages to enjoy the outdoors.
“It’s going to be an amazing new place for the community to gather,” says Mark Tanner of Mark Tanner Construction. “There’s seating for about 100 people, dedicated to the amphitheater, which can host weddings, live music and other events. There’s nothing like it in downtown Truckee and it’s going to be a central hub for everyone to use and enjoy.”
The multi-use space includes an outdoor amphitheater where cultural activities can be held. There’s also a natural playscape area for kids, picnic tables and a Truckee-themed mural that was painted by local students and organized by Arts for the Schools. The new park replaces an old parking lot and play structure that had become outdated and worn down.
The park hasn't always been an easy dream to bring to reality, explains property manager Jen Weissenberg, “Of course, starting the project during a pandemic was less than ideal, especially with the supply chain and material issues that emerged over the past two years," Weissenberg says. "But the community really rallied to make this happen.”
The amphitheater will be the stage for an entertaining future.
High West Landscape designed the park, and many local organizations donated money to the project, including the Truckee Tahoe Airport District. A slew of local companies also donated materials for use in the park, which is completely ADA accessible.
“Everyone involved should be really proud," says CATT Executive Director Kellie Cutler. "Over $1 million was raised through grants, individual naming, in-kind material and professional business donations. That’s an incredible investment on behalf of the businesses and funders in our community.”
The park offers many ways to enjoy a day outside.
Local residents and businesses stepped up by purchasing customized pavers in a Buy A Brick campaign. Engraved pavers are still available, as are other additional naming opportunities to be considered. To learn more about naming opportunities, click here.
After enjoying the new park, keep the fun going by checking out one of the amazing events happening throughout the basin. Learn more on our Daytime or Nightlife pages.
Photos courtesy of Downtown Truckee Park
About the Author Shanie Matthews
A longtime Lake Tahoe local, Shanie is a freelance writer, Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher and positivity warrior. A true lover of the the gorgeous Tahoe region, she connects with the serenity of the mountains via skiing, biking and backpacking. She also believes in the gift of yoga and its way of allowing one to become his or her true best self, a passion she shares with the world with her online yoga studio.
