Gardnerville seeks to preserve Hellwinkel Ranch

About six acres of the Hellwinkel Ranch in downtown Gardnerville, including a historic barn and other out buildings, could be preserved if the state accepts the Town of Gardnerville's request for conservation funding.

On March 3, Town Manager Jim Park signed an application asking for $960,000 of state Question 1 money, which was approved by voters in 2002 to fund conservation and resource-protection measures.

Gardnerville would use the money to purchase the land from the Hellwinkel family, appraised at about $1.3 million. If the grant is approved, the state would pay 75 percent of the cost, or the $960,000. The Hellwinkel family would make a 25-percent match by writing down the price of the land a quarter.

The property sits between Gardnerville Elementary School and Chichester Estates. It would make up the southern portion of the Martin Slough public area, adding more acreage to the already approved Martin Slough Linear Parkway and Flood Channel.

"The proposed project is an expansion of a previously approved Q1 undertaking, and provides additional land along the Martin Slough to complement the 60 acres under public ownership," Park wrote in the application. "Because the slough is located within a rapidly urbanizing area, the importance of preserving an open space corridor for future generations is vital."

But Park said the aforementioned project has been on hold because of water and flood issues.

"While we have been actively coming to closure on the Pine Nut watershed hydrology study needed to construct the first phase of Q1 improvements, the Hellwinkel family has reconsidered the best use of lands surrounding the project site," he said. "With the approval of this funding application, it will be possible to slightly modify the project by moving the primary flood channel to the east, which will allow the existing structures to remain in lieu of being relocated from the property or even be demolished.

"Monitored public access to the main barn structure is a real option with this application. The State Historical Preservation Office has noted that the Hellwinkel Ranch includes contributing elements to the community's history and sense of place."

Park said the project would also provide wildlife habitat, improve storm water drainage, and establish another step in linking Minden and Gardnerville together through a trail system.

"Lastly the project offers additional accessible public land that builds on years of dedicated efforts between the Gardnerville and Minden town boards to construct and maintain a linear linkage parkway between the two communities," he said. "Huge strides have been made towards this goal, and Gardnerville has recently increased its open space along the Martin Slough with a 30-acre donation from 'The Ranch at Gardnerville' development. This donation also includes extending the existing trail another 1,200 feet."

Park said he expects the water and flood issues to be resolved within six to seven months. He said if the grant is approved, construction of the pedestrian walkway and flood channel would take about six weeks.

"Construction won't take long at all," he said. "It's just a matter of getting the project out to bid and awarded."

On Thursday, county commissioners will review the town's application.

"They've always supported us in the past," Park said.