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Carson City celebrates Quality of Life’s 25th anniversary

Quality of Life Month kicked off Thursday and Friday with the Carson City BOOnanza and a celebration at Silver Saddle Ranch. Parks, Recreation, and Open Space will be hosting free and low-cost events all month in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Quality of Life Initiative.

Quality of Life Month kicked off Thursday and Friday with the Carson City BOOnanza and a celebration at Silver Saddle Ranch. Parks, Recreation, and Open Space will be hosting free and low-cost events all month in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Quality of Life Initiative.
Photo by Faith Evans.

By Faith Evans

Monday, November 1, 2021

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On Thursday, Mayor Lori Bagwell will issue a proclamation to recognize November as Quality of Life month, but Carson City has actually been celebrating Quality of Life for 25 years.
In 1996, ballot Question 18 passed the “Quality of Life Initiative,” creating a 0.0025 percent sales taxes to benefit Parks, Recreation, and Open Space lands.
In those two and a half decades, that tax has generated over $55 million for city land and helped the city secure rights to more than 8,000 acres of parks, trails and open space. It has also allowed city staff to generate nearly $12 million in grant funding for the program.
“We’re just so excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Question 18 passing,” said Lyndsey Boyer, Open Space Manager, in a phone call with the Appeal. “This funding truly does enhance the quality of life for Carson City residents.”
According to a city press release, the initiative has not only financed parks, trails and outdoor facilities, but it has also supported the Multipurpose Athletic Center, Bob Boldrick Theater, Rifle and Pistol Range, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada in Carson City.
Boyer said that in the next 25 years of Open Space, she’s hoping to see a slight shift in emphasis towards maintenance of land rather than acquisition. Through the city’s Master Plan, resident will hopefully see more trail connectivity, interpretive signage, benches, public restrooms, and more.
The city is asking itself, “How can we improve and enhance those spaces so that the public is having the best recreational opportunities that they can?” Boyer said.
She added that alongside benefits to residents and the public, the land that the Quality of Life Initiative has protected has intrinsic value. It’s allowed the city to preserve the precious Carson River flood plain, wildlife, migration corridors, and more.
“All of those things are just as important as our ability to recreate on those spaces,” Boyer said.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of Question 13, the city will host events throughout November, some offered for free and others whose proceeds will go toward local nonprofits and Quality of Life. Currently scheduled:
• Can’t Dodge This Dodgeball Tournament at the MAC, Nov. 5, 5-10 p.m.
• Historical Tour at Silver Saddle Ranch, Nov. 6, 10-11 a.m.
• Autumn trail river bike ride, Nov. 6, 10-11 a.m.
• Beginner Pickleball Clinics at the MAC, Nov. 6, 13, and 20, 9-11 a.m.
• Free Shooting Day at Carson Rifle and Pistol Range, Nov. 13, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Fall Full Moon Hike at V & T Trail, Nov. 19, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Free Swim Day at the Carson Aquatic Facility, Nov. 20, 12:30-4 p.m.
• Junior Park Ranger Day at Carson River Park, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More details on each activity are available at www.carson.org/parks.

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