The Carson City Open Space Committee voted unanimously to recommend the John D. Winters Centennial Park master plan to the Board of Supervisors, approving a document that lays out long-term concepts and priorities for the park’s upper and lower complexes.

Nick Wentworth, Carson City parks project manager, presented the draft master plan and summarized outreach work that began in September 2024. Wentworth said the plan responds to public surveys and stakeholder engagement from groups including recreation league operators, the Clear Creek Bowman Archery Club, and community cycling advocates.

“Happy to see the city stepping up for much needed tennis facility… [and] the whole Centennial Complex needs an overdue overhaul from the road fields, court trails and restrooms,” Wentworth said, summarizing survey input. The plan calls for expanded multiuse athletic fields, an off‑leash dog area separated from active sports fields, distributed parking improvements, a bike park and drainage upgrades to address erosion that has damaged courts and fields.

Community advocates spoke in support. Dan Thornton, founder of Bridal Carson City and a Muscle Powered board member, said the bike‑park element has broad local support and would serve a range of riders. “This project has actually been, in one form or another, been talked about in this location for 8 years,” Thornton said, and urged the committee to forward the plan so volunteer fundraising and design work can proceed.

Several speakers noted that only limited elements are currently funded: the upper field improvements and recently completed tennis courts. Wentworth said most items in the master plan are unfunded concept work intended to guide capital requests and grant applications. He also said the plan leaves room for staged construction and partnership-based fundraising.

Committee members asked about secondary access for large events, fire and emergency egress, and parking scale for tournaments. Wentworth described potential emergency/one‑way access routes and said transportation staff had identified needed design considerations for any new intersection or access. Members asked staff to pursue design details and funding options via the capital improvement process and grants.

A motion to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors passed on a voice vote. The plan will be forwarded for Board consideration. The committee’s approval does not in itself fund projects but establishes the city’s long‑term vision for the park.

Notes: Staff emphasized staged implementation and that the plan is intended to be used for grant applications, CIP planning and community fundraising. The transcript shows broad public support for the bike park and multipurpose fields.