Parks commission gives thumbs up for urban pond in Fuji Park

Carson City parks commissioners said Tuesday they liked the idea of creating a one-acre public fishing pond at Fuji Park and agreed to include it in the park's master plan.

Staff members plan to bring the proposal to city supervisors for final approval, possibly at their first meeting in June.

"I think this will be a wonderful opportunity," said commissioner Pete Livermore, also a city supervisor.

For Kevin "CK" Baily of Carson, president of the Carson Fly Fishing Club and one of the key organizers of the pond project, Tuesday's endorsement was "like Christmas," he said.

"We've had a pretty fine victory tonight for the people of Carson City," Baily said. "We're almost there."

City staff and the fishing club have been trying to create a successful urban fishery in city limits for six years. A pond was constructed at Ross Gold Park, off Snyder Avenue, but organizers have had trouble keeping fish alive in its shallow, stagnant waters.

The project received $250,000 in state Question 1 funding this month from the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The city is not required to contribute money toward the project as part of the grant.

Fishing enthusiasts and the city hope to use the pond for public fishing, classes and educational opportunities.

Carson's ownership of 6 percent of water rights from Clear Creek, which runs through the park, will be used to fill the 15-foot deep, year-round pond. The pond will be stocked with rainbow and brown trout by the state.

The project includes a disabled-accessible trail around the pond and along the bank of the creek.

Commissioners approved a revised conceptual master plan for Fuji Park and Carson City Fairground that included several improvements.

In January, city staff began working with the Fuji Park Users Coalition, representatives whose organizations use the park and fairgrounds for activities, to revise an existing plan for the park.

The plan includes the installation of a $196,000, 40-stall horse barn; a $130,500 covered warm-up arena; a landscaping buffer; a required sidewalk; curb and gutter improvements; grading; drainage and retention facilities.