Walker River State Recreation Area to celebrate first year as a state park with birthday bash
YERINGTON — Celebrate the one year anniversary of the Walker River State Recreation Area grand opening with a day full of fun, games, and educational activities. The staff at Walker River would like to thank everyone who has come out to the park this past year and look forward to many great years to come!
The Nevada Division of State Lands accepted the gift deeds facilitated by the Walker Basin Conservancy, and assigned the donated property to the Nevada Division of State Parks to develop and manage the new park along the East Walker River in Lyon and Mineral counties.
The new Walker River State Recreation Area provides a vibrant outdoor experience for area visitors, featuring expanded opportunities for camping, hunting, and riparian recreation. The park stretches along 29 miles of the scenic East Walker River, and includes the Pitchfork, Rafter 7, Flying M and Nine Mile Ranch properties.
The birthday celebration will be held Saturday, Sept. 21. The day’s activities include:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Hay Rides
9 a.m. Jr. Ranger Guided Walk
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Nevada Department of Wildlife booths; Pelts and furs, hawk talk
10 a.m. – Horseshoe Tournament: Must sign-up at the park no later than 9:30 a.m. Space is limited to 14 teams of 2 people.
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kid’s Fishing Derby: Please register upon arrival at the park. Each child may keep one tagged fish and must follow Nevada’s possession limit of five trout. Child must be 12 years or younger to participate, and a parent or guardian must accompany the child.
10:30 a.m. Cornhole Tournament: Must sign-up at the park no later than 10:00 am). Space is limited to 14 teams of 2 people.
12 p.m. – Dutch Oven Chili Cook-off Judging. Participants must pre-register by contacting the park by email at wrsra@parks.nv.gov or phone 775-463-1609. The park will supply participants with charcoal briquettes; participants are responsible for all other necessary materials. Space is limited to 20 participants.
12:20 p.m. – Chili tasting. Open to the public
12:30 p.m. – Supervisor’s Remarks: Park Supervisor Randy Denter will say a few words
12:45 p.m. - Ice Cream Making Demonstration: Using a 1920s John Deere Engine
1 p.m. – Cake and Ice Cream!
1:30 p.m. – Awards and Prizes
WHEN: Saturday, September 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Meet at the Visitor Center at the Walker State Recreation Area, Pitchfork Ranch, 211 E. Walker Rd., Yerington, Nev. From Yerington, head south on Hwy 208 and turn left on East Walker Road, continue for 4 miles to the entrance of the Pitchfork Ranch.
COST: This event is free to the public, however the $5.00 day-use fee per vehicle to enter the park still applies.
CONTACT: Heather Jolley (775) 463-1609.
— Jenny Ramella is an Education and Information Officer for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Nevada Division of State Parks. She can be reached at jmramella@parks.nv.gov
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