Six open space properties receive names that honor Carson City, Washoe Tribe history
The renaming of six open space properties was accepted unanimously by the Carson City Board of Supervisors during its Thursday meeting.
The properties were previously unnamed, and the process began in 2018, after the Open Space Advisory Council discussed the naming of open space acquisitions located in the Kings Canyon area.
However, the council voted unanimously to table the discussion until further input could be received from the Washoe Tribe.
In 2019, the council heard a presentation from the tribe regarding proposed nominations for the naming of the six open space properties, located throughout Carson City.
In April, 2021, OSAC recommended to the Board of Supervisors the final choices of names, which were: (1) Vidler Open Space; (2) Washoe Wetlands Open Space; (3) Gumalonga Open Space; (4) Voltaire Canyon Open Space; (5) Tahnu Leweh Open Space; and (6) Dasolung Ridge Open Space.
No. 1, Vidler Open Space, is located north of the Riverview Park and south of the Empire Ranch Golf Course. The 38.96 acres were donated to Carson City from the Vidler Water Company in 2010, to help protect the Carson River floodplain and riparian habitat, as well as to allow for passive recreation.
No. 2, Washoe Wetlands Open Space, is located to the west of Lompa Lane behind St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community. The 17.62 acres were donated to Carson City in 2001 to protect important wetland habitat in Eagle Valley. The original suggested name from the tribe was “Washo Deteyeh Open Space” which translates to “Washoe Place Live There.”
No. 3, the Gumalonga Open Space, is located around the west side of Lakeview Park and the Lakeview subdivision. The 320 acres were conveyed from the U.S. Forest Service to Carson City per the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to protect and manage as a natural area. The Washoe Tribe nomination of Gumalonga Trail means “A leader of the Washoe Trail.” The trail was a route used by the Washoe people to travel between the areas now known as Eagle Valley and Washoe Valley.
No. 4, the Voltaire Canyon Open Space, is located south of Voltaire Canyon Road and north of Highway 50. The 258.59 acres were conveyed from the U.S. Forest Service to Carson City per the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to protect and manage as a natural area.
No. 5, Tahnu Leweh Open Space, is located approximately 3 miles along Kings Canyon Road, north of Highway 50 and west of the Horsecreek Ranch Conservation Easement held by Carson City. The 374.91 acres were purchased in 2005 using Quality of Life Sales and Use Tax Funds and Nevada Division of State Lands, Conservation and Resource Protection Grant Program funds. Tahnu Leweh means “The People’s Place.”
No. 6, Dasolung Ridge Open Space, is located 2.8 miles due west of Carson City. The property is bordered to the north, east, and west by U.S. Forest Service land and to the south by private property.
Supervisor Lisa Schuette voiced her appreciation for the Department of Open Space’s dedication to the naming discussion, and looking at the importance of local history as well as open space donors.
To learn more about the naming process, including maps of the open space areas, click here.