Saliman Road Walking Path Beautification Project receives benches paid for by Carson City neighbors, volunteers

Thanks to the work of dedicated neighbors, community members and Carson City staff, the Saliman Road Walking Path Beautification Project is one step closer to completion with the installation of two new benches.

The project began two years ago when neighbors gathered for a workday to rip out the old torn and deteriorated weed barrier cloth and clear the area of old vegetation.

With a price tag of around $4,000 for the two benches that the city required to be installed to be consistent with benches downtown, fundraising took time.

However, thanks to the dedicated team of volunteers led by neighbors Mike and Mary Kay Raponi, the funds were secured and, as of last week, the benches are now officially open to the public.

The project was completed when the Malory-Philips Family paid for the second bench in its entirety after seeing the sign soliciting donations along the pathway.

Now that the benches have been installed, the next phase of the project is in the hands of the city.

The next phase includes landscaping and pavement rehabilitation, according to Parks, Recreation and Open Space Director Jennifer Budge. This will include low maintenance zero-scaping along with new slurry that will be consistent with parks and recreation designs city-wide.

The plan the project is to connect it with other paths in an ongoing effort to create continuous pathways throughout the city.

“We’re trying to connect the whole community, that’s the objective,” Budge said during the bench dedication.

A new path connector is planned near Governor’s Field (see map above) which will begin as soon as the city receives approval from the state. To move forward, the Nevada Division of Transportation (NDOT) needs to release federal funding.

As part of the dedication, Mayor Lori Bagwell joined volunteers, including Supervisor Lisa Schuette and Assemblyman P.K. O’Neill who assisted with the initial clean up day, in celebrating the step toward completion.

“What a privilege it is to work with neighbors who want to better their neighborhood for the benefit of the whole community,” Bagwell said. “I’d like to give a really big shout out for helping us clean it up and participating to make (the path) better for the whole neighborhood.”

Bagwell also serves as the Treasurer for the Carson City Parks Foundation, and said she loves writing a check to benefit the community.

“The foundation is so proud to be a part of the community,” Bagwell said. “On behalf of the foundation, thank you for recognizing our purpose is to help facilitate community support of our parks and recreation system. It really takes the community.”

Bagwell encouraged the community to contact the foundation if they are interested in organizing similar projects with their neighborhood.

Schuette thanked neighbors and the Raponis for getting the ball rolling.

“When Mary Kay contacted me, she wasn’t sure how to get started so we sat down and talked about it,” Schuette said. “Thank you for bringing your community together. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Reach out to your neighbors, share your dreams and your ideas.”

To learn more about the Carson City Parks Foundation, please visit https://carsoncityparks.org.