BATTLE MOUNTAIN - With the Kingston pond project under its belt, the new Kingston Parks Department, formerly the Parks Committee, has a slew of other projects on the plate for Lee Baker Park and the surrounding areas.
The Kingston Parks Department was formed in the spring. It is a nonprofit organization with 12 members, said Bradley Ward and Mike Zacharias, who both are members of the department.
The department was formed by the Kingston Town Board to take care of 40 acres of common area owned by Kingston Management Association, Inc. (KMAI), the local homeowners association. The department's primary focus areas for the coming year are Lee Baker Park and the Kingston pond.
The pond has already undergone a transformation in the past two years. The improvements were started by the Parks Committee, which later became the Kingston Parks Department.
The pond is a manmade body of water that was created in the 1970s, said Zacharias. It had filled up with silt over the years until it became less than 2 feet deep and no longer supported fish.
Two years ago, the Parks Committee arranged to have the pond dug out to 9 feet and added a central island. After that, Round Mountain Gold donated commercial-grade liner and Newmont lent the use of their pond liner welder. Clay sealer called bentonite was then put on top of the liner, said Zacharias.
With donations from the community, the Parks Committee was able to put in a bridge last year, said Zacharias. For two years in a row, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has stocked the pond with a limited number of rainbow trout. A few German brown trout have also moved from Kingston Creek which supplies water to the pond.
Ward said one of the Parks Department's key goals is to work with NDOW to increase the number and frequency of trout stocked.
"Our initial discussions with personnel from both the enforcement and fisheries divisions of NDOW have been very positive," said Ward. "We rely upon their expertise and support to create a superior fishery and habitat for wildlife."
Ward and Zacharias said the pond saw daily fishing this past summer with heavy use during the weekends. The grassy island in the center of the pond is particularly great for fly fishing as there is nothing to backcast into and no need for waders, said Ward. The island is also wheelchair accessible.
"We saw a lot more fishing traffic this year than last year," said Ward.
Ward and Zacharias said another goal of the Parks Department is to hold fishing derbies at the pond with the support of NDOW and others. The pond is also home to numerous ducks; 12 of them hatched there this past spring, said Ward.
The Parks Department installed a coin-operated fish food dispenser on the bridge this summer. Two handfuls of fish/duck food are dispensed for 25 cents and the proceeds are used to purchase fish food.
The department is also aiming to install covered picnic tables, park benches and shade trees at the pond as well as some split rail fencing.
As far as Lee Baker Park, the Parks Department is working on providing split rail fencing and leveling some of the park. The members are also hoping to install automatic irrigation, additional trees, more grass and upgraded horseshoe pits.
The department is currently circulating a petition asking Kingston homeowners to support a "land swap" between KMAI and a private party who owns parcels within the park.
According to Ward, a successful swap would double the size of the park's core, improve accessibility and allow for more parking.
"Initial support from the major stakeholders has been strong," said Ward.
Parks Department members are hoping to upgrade the ballpark in the coming year. They are also working on completing a shed next to the new restrooms at the park to hold a future riding lawnmower.
The Parks Department held a second annual Town Clean Up Day on June 9 in conjunction with Free Fishing Day. More than a dozen volunteers collected more than 60 bags of trash from around the town, Lee Baker Park and the pond area.
The event was followed by a free barbecue for all of the volunteers. Another event is planned for next year on Free Fishing Day.
This year, the Parks Department received approximately $3,000 from the Town of Kingston. The town also pays the bills for the water, power and maintenance for the park which comes to approximately $2,500 a year.
A one-time donation of $10,000 was received last year from the KMAI, of which almost a third was expended to excavate the pond. The department will also be looking for funding through community donations, grants and fundraisers.
"Like many other volunteer groups, we and our town have limited resources," said Ward. "We are extremely appreciative of the support we receive today from local people and businesses."
The Parks Department plans to approach the county and corporate sponsors for additional aid as well, he added.
The first ever Kingston Outdoor Market that was held at Lee Baker Park on Sept. 1 raised more than $1,600 for the department. The department is planning on holding a winter bazaar on Dec. 1 at the Kingston community center/firehouse.
The event will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A pancake breakfast will be served by the Parks Department from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Hotdogs, chili, clam chowder and French bread will be available for purchase from the department in the afternoon.
Cocktails, beer, wine, soda and water will also be sold by the department. There will be a raffle. Tickets will be sold for $1 each or six for $5. All proceeds will benefit the Kingston Parks Department.
Ward is looking for vendors. The booth fee is $10 in advance or $25 the day of the event. Vendors can bring their own folding table (one per booth) or rent one from the department for $10. Those who would like to reserve a booth, volunteer or donate raffle prizes can contact Ward at (775) 964-1034.
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