Carson City open space management concerns on tap

A Carson River area open space management plan that envisions a park ranger and trails coordinator goes next week to Carson City’s Parks and Recreation Commission for review.

The 190-page draft plan, previously put before the public in an open house and subsequent Open Space Committee session, eventually will go to the city’s Board of Supervisors for possible action. The board previously instructed the Parks and Recreation Department and its Open Space Division to concentrate on such oversight rather than more acquisitions.

Ann Bollinger, the division’s natural resources specialist, said Tuesday evening’s Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will offer people additional chances to comment as about 15 already did at the Aug. 18 open house and Open Space opportunities. She said about 70 attended the open house at the Carson City Community Center then. Next week’s session is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Community Center’s Sierra Room.

Open Space Administrator Juan Guzman, who retires later this year, said the lengthy management document has been well more than two years in the drafting stage, and response to the initial attempt two years ago was lukewarm. He said early reaction to this version heartened him.

“I think we finally hit the ‘sweet spot,’” Guzman said.

Bollinger said the draft keys on city master plans and provides guidance for managing space and parks near the river, among them the Silver Saddle Ranch and other acreages assembled by city government over the years. She said it will help not only management, but aid the city’s governing board as it adopts ordinances for rules and regulations to manage the space. Open space is available for passive recreation.

Guzman, meanwhile, said the document strives to strike a balance and provide clarity regarding such passive recreation, as well as for the land on which all terrain vehicles and other more active pursuits can occur.

A power point presentation and discussion of the management plan will be presented at the commission session next week, and a decision will come later on when it moves to the mayor and supervisors.

“After a review of the (public) comments, the date will be determined for a presentation at the Board of Supervisors,” Bollinger said.