Filed Under Parks

Lunsford Park

A Powning Addition park named for the attorney who secured the land for the City of Reno

The Lunsford Triangle first appears in an 1891 amended map of the C.C. Powning District after Riverside Drive was constructed. S.O. Hatfield occupied the property as a squatter until 1900, when he transferred the property to Ralph W. Shearer.

In 1912, the City of Reno disputed Shearer’s claim to the triangle, which had also been claimed by the Southern Pacific company, and the litigation resulted in a 1913 Supreme Court decision awarding the triangular piece of land bordered by Riverside Drive, Washington Avenue, and Jones Street to the City of Reno. In 1914, the city officially decided to turn the property into a park and to name it for the City Attorney who was responsible for recovering the land for the City, E.F. Lunsford (since inexplicably misspelled as Lundsford on the official city sign).

The park is planted with mature trees and features a grassy lawn bisected by a concrete path that runs east to west. At present, Lunsford Triangle Park is classified by the city as a pocket park. It is located in one of Reno’s most historic neighborhoods and is bounded by Victorian-era residences. The park features a stone masonry monument recognizing the surrounding Powning Conservation District, dedicated in 2012, as well as a monument to the California Trail.

Images

Scenic Lundsford Park
Scenic Lundsford Park Lundsford Park borders scenic Riverside Drive in the heart of the Powning Conservation District. Creator: ZoAnn Campana Date: 2015
The park and peaceful Riverside Drive
The park and peaceful Riverside Drive At the heart of the historic Powning Conservation District, Lundsford Park fronts the historic Victorian-era homes of Jones Street. Creator: ZoAnn Campana Date: 2015
Monument in winter
Monument in winter The Powning Conservation District marker in Lundsford park in winter. Creator: Jack Hursh
Dedicating the monument
Dedicating the monument Felvia Belaustegui, longtime advocate for commemoration of the Powning District, oversees the dedication of the monument to the Conservation District in Lundsford Park. Creator: Jack Hursh
Picnics and puppies
Picnics and puppies A furry visitor enjoys the park in 2015. Washington Street (in background) runs along the park's west side. Creator: ZoAnn Campana Date: 2015

Location

Metadata

ZoAnn Campana, “Lunsford Park,” Reno Historical, accessed December 8, 2024, http://renohistorical.org/items/show/212.