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Nevada outlines state‑park projects in Tahoe and cites outdoor recreation's large economic role
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Summary
Nevada state parks officials described upcoming projects at Spooner Lake, Sand Harbor and Van Sickle and outlined an economic impact report that places outdoor recreation as a major contributor to Nevada’s economy; two Nevada Adventure Centers are near substantial completion with fall grand openings planned.
Nevada state parks and economic officials told a legislative committee the state is pursuing several park and visitor‑service projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin while pointing to outdoor recreation as a major economic sector.
Janice Keeler, deputy administrator for the Division of State Parks, reviewed projects: a Spooner Lake master plan and a 2.3‑mile Tunnel Creek single‑track trail expected to be finished by June; Marlette Dam repair work expected to wrap by September; a new restroom at the Shakespeare venue at Sand Harbor and boat‑ramp redesigns at Cape Rock; and design for a Van Sickle visitor center estimated at about $20,000,000 pending bids. Keeler said the East Shore Express shuttle contract will be extended through June 2027 and that the Spooner Mobility Hub is in final design with work slated to begin in summer 2026.
Denise Baroneo, administrator for the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, presented findings from the division’s economic analysis: U.S. outdoor recreation BEA figures recently rose to about $1.3 trillion; Nevada’s outdoor recreation sector contributed roughly $24,000,000,000 in total economic activity and about $13,700,000,000 in annual economic output, supporting more than 75,000 jobs and adding an estimated $8,800,000,000 to state GDP (about 3.3%). She thanked TRPA for a $10,000 contribution toward the study that included the entire Tahoe Basin footprint.
Baroneo also described two Nevada Adventure Centers—one at the Railroad Museum in Carson City and another in Boulder City at the chamber of commerce—that will offer tenant suites for tour operators and sustainability information for visitors. Both sites were scheduled for substantial completion near May, with soft openings in August and anticipated grand openings in the fall.
Why it matters: State‑level park projects and investments shape visitor capacity, parking and transit planning ahead of peak seasons. The economic figures underline the sector’s contribution to Nevada jobs and tax base and were cited by presenters to justify continued investment in both infrastructure and visitor education.
What’s next: Project timelines given by state staff (June and September milestones, summer 2026 design starts and fall openings) will depend on final bids and budget allocations; staff said they can follow up with committee members who asked for more detail and plan to share master‑plan maps when available.
