Quality of Life Indicators

development that encourages healthy lifestyles & neighborhood livability data

pedestrian & bicycle friendliness
acres of parklands

pedestrian & bicycle friendliness

According to the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan, there is no known inventory of sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities in the region, although there are requirements established by each of the local jurisdictions to provide them. Sidewalks are part of the design standards for roadways built using the Regional Road Impact Fee Program (RRIF).  Pedestrian travel is an important part of the total travel in Washoe County and is particularly important in the Central Business Districts (CBD’s) of Reno and Sparks.  While the volume of pedestrian travel is much lower in the suburban and rural portions of Washoe County, it is still an important mode of travel, particularly for children going to and from school and recreation facilities. 

According to the Regional Bikeways Plan, there are more than 50 miles of known bikeways available for use by cyclists in Washoe County.  “Bikeway” means any road, path or way that in some manner is specifically designated as being open to bicycle travel, regardless of whether such facilities are designated for the exclusive use of bicycles or are to be shared with other transportation modes.  There are approximately 21 miles of bike routes in Washoe County.  The target is that by 2012, 60% of the Bicycle Plan will be completed; by 2020, 80% of the Bicycle Plan will be completed; and by 2030, 100% of the Bicycle Plan will be completed.  Goals include: 

• A need for more bicycle parking at transit stations and transfer facilities to promote bicycle use.
• A well-organized education and safety program for bicycle users and motorists.
• Curb cuts and ramps for wheelchairs, striping bike lanes where possible and building a system of multi-use trails that access high use recreational facilities.

acres of parklands

According to documents prepared for the City of Reno’s open space planning efforts, the National Recreation Planning Association recommends a total of 6.25 to 10.50 acres of parkland be available for every 1,000 residents. As of 1995, Reno had developed approximately 319 acres of neighborhood and community parks. Expressed in parkland per 1,000 residents, Reno’s park inventory provides 2.1 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Reno would like to conform to NPRA standards, but will be unable to unless additional resources for parks development and maintenance are secured. Augmenting the neighborhood-community parkland inventory are small parks, special purpose parks, public golf courses, undeveloped parkland, and open space. If these lands are factored into the inventory, the ratio of parkland per 1,000 residents increases to 4.2 acres per 1000 residents. These lands provide recreational opportunities, contribute to the Reno experience and quality of life, and therefore should be recognized in park planning. They do not, however, provide unlimited public use and access, nor do they always offer the traditional amenities of a neighborhood and community park. They are therefore handled separately in the inventory.

Additional information can also be found in the City of Reno, Open Space & Greenways Plan, March 2007.