Commission adopts revised Rancho San Rafael master plan after balloon-race concerns; plan adds 400 flex parking spaces and tree-consultation language

The Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission adopted a revised Rancho San Rafael Regional Park master plan on Jan. 22, 2025, adding 400 non-paved flex parking stalls in the park's north parking zone and new language requiring consultation with the Great Reno Balloon Race about tree locations and species in pasture and disc-golf areas.

Famerie Picar, the county's park planner, told the commission the revisions were minor and prompted by concerns the Great Reno Balloon Race raised after the plan was initially adopted in November 2024. The county said stakeholder and public outreach for the master plan had been robust and extended across two phases, including group and one-on-one meetings with affected stakeholders.

"One of the key drivers ... is our stakeholder and public outreach," Picar said, describing the park's heavy use and frequent large events. He said the revisions were intended to preserve event safety, public access and the…