By Robert Perea
Nearly five years after the idea first took root, Phase I of Harmony Park at the Fernley Swimming Pool is expected to be completed within the next few weeks, transforming the southern portion of the pool property into a vibrant outdoor gathering space.
The project is a collaboration between the Fernley Swimming Pool General Improvement District and the Rotary Club of Fernley. Swimming Pool GID President Suzanne Prouty said the park is designed to be a comfortable, safe place for residents to relax, celebrate and connect.
The first phase includes a fountain centerpiece, three picnic areas—two uncovered and one shaded—and a set of decorative musical instruments for children to play on. The instruments, which include a xylophone, drums and flower-shaped chimes, will be installed near the Splash Park.
The Rotary Club originally planned to build the park at the Main Street Art Park, but when that effort stalled, Rotary member Marty Hanna and Pool Director Patrick Daniel proposed relocating the project to the pool property.
The musical instruments cost $23,376, funded through a combination of Rotary Club donations, a District 5190 grant, and proceeds from the original Main Street Park fundraising effort.
Daniel said the Swimming Pool GID set a $1.5 million budget cap for the project, drawn from the district’s capital improvement reserve fund. While final costs are still being calculated, Daniel said the project would not exceed that amount.
“We drew a line in the sand,” he said. “We’re not going over that.”
The pool district is covering the cost of sidewalks, concrete pads and equipment installation. Additional funding is being sought through grants, though Daniel noted that grant money is slow to arrive. Rotary members are also exploring donations for tables and other amenities.
Prouty said the park will be ideal for birthday parties, family gatherings and casual visits.
“We want it to be comfortable and usable,” Prouty said.
She said the second phase of the project will be built across the parking lot from the pool building and the Phase I site. The lawn will be bordered by a quarter-mile trail with exercise stations.
Prouty, who serves as Rotary’s assistant governor for Area 10, which includes Fernley, Fallon, Smith Valley, Tonopah, Yerington and the E-club of District 5190, said she plans to apply for grant funds for the second phase.
“The rest of the park, I haven’t even started writing grants for yet, or trying to get funded,” she said.
The concrete pads and two barbecue grills have already been installed, and several trees are being planted to replace three cottonwood trees that were removed at the beginning of construction in May. Prouty said two of the trees were dying and the third was located where new concrete was poured.
“We took out the scraggliest trees and we’re replacing them with new trees, and kind of hoping the older trees will last us a bit longer and the new ones will mature so when you cut old ones down you have new ones that are already matured to maintain a good look,” Daniel said.
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