Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is a regional park in Reno, Nevada, United States. The land was originally purchased by Italian immigrants and sold in 1919 where it was developed into a functional sheep operation. The property was sold again in 1935 to three wealthy European immigrants from the Los Angeles area. The land was officially acquired by Washoe County in 1979 and opened to the public on July 3, 1982 after Washoe County. It is the largest park administered by Washoe County at a size of and has hosted the Great Reno Balloon Race annually since 1982.
Geography Rancho San Rafael Regional Park encompasses , both north and south of Nevada State Route 659, also known as McCarran Boulevard, in northwest Reno. It is the largest park administered by Washoe County. Prior to European colonization in the area, the Truckee Meadows were covered in tall grasses, Populus species, and willows, with creeks and wetlands flowing in between sagebrush. The park features wetlands, meadows, farmland, and desert shrubland. The combined length of the trail network totals .
History Native Washoe and Northern Paiute populations lived in the area, often fishing in the area's wetlands and creeks and hunting.
In 1896, the Italian–born Pincolini family immigrated to the Truckee Meadows and purchased of land in what is now Rancho San Rafael Regional Park for $2,750 (1896 USD). The property was acquired by Richard Jensen in 1919. Jensen developed the property into a sheep ranch, residing there with his wife, Halda Dirix, and two children. They constructed a residence in the early 1920s, and the size of the property expanded to . However, Jensen died in a vehicle accident in August 1925 and Dirix died in 1935 after remarrying; subsequently, the property was sold to Raphael Herman, Norman Herman, and Mariana Herman, that latter of which Norman's wife. Raphael and Herman were German and Mariana from Austria–Hungary.
The Hermans had previously lived in the Los Angeles area, purchasing the ranch to become Nevada residents because of "favorable" tax laws, despite mostly residing in California. After purchasing, they renamed the property "Rancho San Rafael". The Hermans hired Paul R. Williams to design what is now the Herman House in 1936; construction was completed later that year. After several purchases of adjacent properties, Rancho San Rafael became one of the largest single properties in the Truckee Meadows at . Raphael died in 1946, and Norman died in 1960.
William Thornton, with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Land Foundation, sent Mariana two appraisals, but she did not want to divide the property and there was no agreement. UNR student Clark Santini advocated for a purchase to the county, transforming the property into a regional park, thus contacting Washoe County. Santini, Virginia Kersey, and Washoe County Parks Director Gene Sullivan prepared a bond issue to present to Washoe County, the City of Reno, and the City of Sparks. The Democratic Party representative for Washoe County, Jim Richardson, and the Republican Party representative for Nevada, Frank Farankov, reached a bipartisan agreement to advertise it in debates. The proposition was brought up before the Washoe County Legislature: the City of Sparks were "all opposed". After several years, the director of the Employees Retirement System, proposed to purchase the property if a bond issue was approved and the agency was paid back. The Washoe County Commission approved the bond issue 2–1 in 1979 and Rancho San Rafael was purchased.
The grand opening of the property as a regional park occurred on July 3, 1982. A parade and show included two elephants from the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks. The Great Reno Balloon Race moved to the park that year. The Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden opened in 1983 and houses 94 gardens across . The Wilbur D. May Museum opened in 1985 showcases May's items from his extensive world travel. A small amusement park, Wilbur D. May's Great Basin Adventure, operated in the park and included a petting zoo, water log ride, and pony rides. It closed in 2008 due to budget cuts during the Great Recession. Opposition has emerged for the Alturas to Reno powerline managed by Sierra Pacific Power Company that cuts through the park.
Plans exist to improve the parking lot and tree placement coordination with the Great Reno Balloon Races. The county opened its first "all inclusive" playground in Rancho San Rafael on November 1, 2025.
Ecology
There are approximately 4,000 tree, 4,600 other plant, and 55 bird species. Herman's Pond, also known as Rancho San Rafael Pond, has been stocked with rainbow trout by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Recreation The trail network at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park totals . There is a playground, fishing opportunities at Herman's Pond, picnic areas, a dog park, and recreational sport setups.
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