A beautiful Sunday morning walk around Sparks Marina was exactly what I needed to get some exercise and clear my mind. There's just something so peaceful about being outdoors and taking in the beauty around you. The reflections on the water were absolutely gorgeous, the fresh outdoor air smelled amazing, and the temperature was perfect not too hot, not too cold. It wasn't too crowded either, which made it even better. And of course, I got lucky and found easy parking in my favorite spot!!! Sometimes the simplest things fresh air, sunshine, a beautiful view, and a good walk are all you need to start your Sunday feeling refreshed and grateful. read more

See all

Always a delight to walk the Marina. If you are older and not sure of you want to walk the 2 miles around, the Marina helps you decide as you are halfway, you can either finish or turn back, either way, you walk 2 miles. This visit I saw lots of huge fish, possibly trout and so many. This is the first time I've seen them and it was a treat to see. read more

See all

Safe place! Clean.. besides some parts of the water smelling it's a nice place to do two miles and enjoy the scenery. read more

Sparks Marina Park - Parks Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

I enjoy the walk around the marina the water can be a bit stinky but it's a good walk. The park for kids is cute with lots to do but it's usually packed. They have bathrooms sometimes a snack bar. read more

I love the Sparks Marina. So friendly and walkable. Especially after shopping, eating or movie-going at Legends. Big Kudos to Sparks for their ability to plan such awesome walkability options! read more

See all

This is a beautiful neighborhood marina. There was a jet ski competition there today. This is a great park to walk or relax in the sun.

This place is easy walk after grabbing coffee. I like the sight of water and nature consisting of birds and ducks surrounding the area. It's quiet and big enough for people to have enough space to be able to walk, move around or jog. Love it! read more

See all

I come to the Sparks Marina every now and then to walk the 2-Mile Loop. You can access the path at various entry points with plenty of parking available. We like to park closer to Scheels, but the main entrance is on Howard Drive. One thing that is great about this multi-use trail is that it's completely paved, so it can be used by everyone. We started early in the morning before it got really hot. The Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza is also located here. We always like to pay our respects. read more

See all

Beautiful park. My family and I love just coming and walking around the lake. Even when there's a lot of people it's still pretty low key and relaxing. read more

Relaxing walk around the Marina after having lunch and shopping at Legends. Peaceful and walking of the calories. FAM fest was going on so it was nice to visit the vendors and support local food trucks. read more

See all

I love the marina. I remember when the city of Sparks opened it and it was the next hot hangout. I spent a lot of time here as a teen with my parents and my younger siblings. When I moved back in my early 20's I used to enjoy jogging there from my nearby apartment at sunrise. Before the mall or even the Target; there was an old sports complex that was nearby before Legends. A lot of fond memories here. Summer nights playing volleyball at night with friends and leisurely strolling just to get some steps in. Fast forward to my life as a mom. I love bringing my kids here to play and for some excercise. I'm so grateful for the sponsors that made it possible for this park. It's really a neat addition to our area. I picked up Port of subs and decided to enjoy the weather and lunch at the park today with the family. I let my little guy play and he rode his scooter while we strolled.He's so inquisitive and his curiosity led us to the Veteran's memorial. I had to explain to my little one what this meant. It's beautiful and I'm glad to see it finally finished. (I know how proud we feel for our Navy seal in my family.) I'm glad to see how much the marina has evolved. I love having local spots that I'm able to pick up coffee or lunch nearby. If their little snack shop is open, they serve refreshments and their nachos aren't bad. My kids enjoy their root beer floats in the Summer months. Today we ordered a few raspsdos from an ice cream truck that also sold Antojitos. All in all a great afternoon spent with my family. Grateful to have the Marina so close to home. read more

See all

This is such a great park to take a morning walk at. The views of the lakes are so beautiful and peaceful. We walked the whole loop for about an hour. There is a coffee shop in front of the luxury apartments to get some food and drink. There's plenty of people walking as well, so you're not alone. Great park! read more

See all

This place is a joke!!!! They don't have room but they are collecting $15 to get on a waitlist? That's theft!!! Oh and read the rules lol have to have a tow vehicle on sight at all times. So I can't go to work, should I ride public transportation? Who's going to move my trailer in case of an emergency? Seriously do I leave my keys with the office?? these people are insane. It's an Rv park these people get a grip. I'll take my $200,000 down the road. read more

Sparks Marina Park - Parks Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

If you walk the marina completely around, including the keyhole, it is two miles... you're welcome... They also have a snack bar which has lemonade. That is made with fresh squeezed lemons, which is really refreshing. If you walk during the day in the heat... read more

It's summertime and this walking trail is getting mega popular. There are a couple of different parking lots available on either side of the trail. The playground side seems to fill up quicker for parking in my opinion. A lot of families and groups come out to this trail to run, walk, or ride bikes. I saw there is a dog park on one part of the park too. My friends and I like to wait until it cools down to go walking here or early in the morning before the sun heats up. There is also a snack shack on the playground side. This park is near legends outlet mall and near cafes and restaurants. Definitely recommend taking a walk here or bringing the family read more

Sparks Marina Park - View of waterfront - Parks Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

Beautiful park. Great location. Pretty incredible dog parks. My only criticism is that when you ask for a pull through you may need to unhook your vehicle anyway. Some pull through sites are not long enough. read more

Sparks Marina Park - Dog park - Parks Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

I've come here mostly to walk the loop around the marina. It's about 2 miles. I came once in 2021 for the water lantern festival. Overall, path hasn't ever been 'treacherous' with repairs needing to be done. Haven't used any of the restrooms or other facilities. Can say the the Military dedication and the new Playground are very well done and a nice refresh to the area. read more

Driving by and able to stop along the side to get a beautiful picture. I can see why this park is so busy in the summer time. All ages visit the park, and the kids enjoy the playground. You can take a nice brisk walk to get your steps in too! read more

See all

The newly opened and recently updated park at that marina is a popular spot for kids both young and old. I love to see the cities put funding into our local parks! Bonus points for making it inclusive for more kids to enjoy! I love the bold, bright colors, the interactive sensory items, and all the climbing play. I also love that it is now gated which is an added layer of protection which is always nice! There is a section with picnic tables, pack a lunch or a snack and stop by for a visit! read more

See all

So while this park is really cool has a lot of great things for kids to play on the amount of children who seem to be let off their leash so to speak and just act like horrible kids is kind of insane. I truly love this park just wish there were more parents who were watching their kids and making sure they were playing nice! read more

We've been walking around Sparks Marina for years so I'm surprised I've never reviewed it. When I came to review it today, it was because this is the first time I've seen the park's little refreshment concession called Goodies Cafe... open and doing a thriving business. I verified hours. The Cafe is only reliably open weekends until school is out. Then every day into the evening, as late as 9 all summer. I'm very excited to report the Root-beer Float was awesome!!! They have smoothies that look great too. See menu picture. This is, in my opinion the premier place to walk in Sparks. There are only very gradual ups and downs and the whole route is cemented. It's not difficult to push a wheelchair or transport chair around the whole Marina. Seniors walk with walkers. There are many benches for seated rests around the water and there are two restrooms. There is also Lighthouse Coffee right on the water near the new upscale restaurant called Sparks Water Bar. There's a a very nice child's playground over by Goodies Cafe. The playground is on the opposite side of the marina from the restaurant and coffee shop VERY close to parking. People also bicycle around the path as well as skating etc. Lots of people bring dogs on leashes. It's an all around WONDERFUL place for ALL ages including the elderly who love to be outside but can't handle the nature trails anymore. We love it here. There are many many California Ground squirrels living in the large boulder retaining walls. They come out in hopes of receiving treats. Some are VERY friendly and fearless. (:-). The Canadian Geese hang out here for their season. The DOG PARK is an awesome dog park right on the water. The construction of the new and improved Nevada Veteran's Memorial Plaza is COMPLETE and it's beautiful. There are memorial plaques on the ground. It's very nicely done. There is nothing here that isn't lovely. I'm so glad it's SPRING !!! If you find this review useful please vote! read more

See all

I drive to the marina a few times a month to stretch my legs, get some fresh air, and get some laps in. One loop is a little under 2 miles. I feel safe there and the park is maintained nicely. The only big drawback is all the bird poop-- that stuff is everywhere you step. Forget trying to sit on the grass and relax. I wouldn't wear new shoes there either. *People, please don't feed the BIRDS! Depending on the time of day/week and type of weather the walking path is either completely void of people or it's as packed as a freeway during rush hour traffic. I have used to bathrooms on the northwest side of the park and they have always been clean. There's a playground, dog park, Veterans memorial, gazebo, beach for volleyball, areas for fishing and swimming, and a seasonal concession stand. Nearby is a coffee shop, restaurants, hotel, and shopping. *Do some reading up on the history of the area that is now the marina- an interesting tidbit of Spark's past. read more

See all

What was once an ugly construction pit is now the Sparks Marina (thanks to the late 90's flood) It contains an estimated one billion gallons of water. 2 to 3 million gallons of water enters the Marina daily. It's depth is 60 feet, with the deepest point being approximately 120 feet. The average temperature of the deepest parts is in the 40's all year around, while the shallow areas will heat into the 70's during the hot summer months. The park is a huge 81acres & offers a paved walkway all the way around the lake. Parking is plentiful. There is a fenced dog park and a ton of park rules posted. Please follow the rules. Bring your family & give Sparks Marina a try read more

Brought some family to this park to enjoy some lunch. They have never been here. It was unanimous - a bit windy, but the park was great. We walked around the marina and enjoyed the birds, squirrels, and parasailors. The memorial honoring our fallen heroes was spectacular. Highly recommended. read more

The playground at Sparks Marina recently got renovated. It looks great. The playground is gated. The playground is great for kids under 8. Older kids will have fun too, but it's geared toward the younger kids. There is a big parking lot with a lot of parking. Street parking is also available. There are plenty of picnic tables in the area. You can walk around the whole marina on a paved walkway. This park and Marina would easily receive 5 stars if it weren't for all the homeless people and shady individuals. Be aware please. But overall, the Sparks Marina playground is a good time for the kids. Have fun out there. -Dadzone read more

See all

The Sparks Marina is by far my favorite walking path. Plenty of others out with their kids and pets and it's just a nice, beautiful atmosphere to be in. To my surprise, I noticed that they installed a gate and pet memorial across from the dog park for anyone who wants to place the tags of their beloved pets. I really like that little addition, it's especially nice for folks who have a history of walking their pets here who are no longer with them. I love this heartfelt gesture. There is currently ongoing construction so the playground is inaccessible as it is being upgraded as well as a Veteran's Memorial is also being built. I look forward to seeing how beautiful it all turns out. There is also a great size dog park with access to the water, a beachy area when the season is right, as well as paddleboarding, fishing and a volleyball court. If you're looking for a bite to eat, there is The Water Bar restaurant and Lighthouse Coffee shop with some delicious baked goods. The weather is great so come get some steps in! read more

See all

Updated review due to the playground. The playground has gone so far downhill and it is so disappointing to see. I have started coming early in the mornings to do my walk and let my daughter play to beat the heat. When we first arrive, there is ALWAYS the same homeless man rummaging through the trash cans inside the playground. Thankfully by the time I finish my walk and we get back, he is gone. While there is still a lot to do and play on, many items are broken/worn down, the ground is absolutely disgusting, and often there is a lot of trash (usually left over alcohol bottles). Most of the gate handles are broken as well. Would be nice to see some better upkeep of the park. read more

They very recently updated the playground here and it's wonderful! It's all-abilities playground. They have a wide variety of play structures and sensory activities for ages ranging from 2-13 years old. They have tons of noise-making structures to interact with. The new playground is fully gated. It kept our kids entertained for hours and they are always asking to come back to this park! They also have restrooms available. read more

Sparks Marina Park - New play structures - Parks Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all

Busy place with walkers, runners, kayakers, etc. Usual bummer because the governor has forbade normal activities like swimming-, so the beach is blocked off. Makes no sense. read more

See all

If you call a GULL that flies over the sea a seagull, what do you call a Gull that flies over a bay? A bagel! Gnyuxk gnyuxk! This marina is mega filled with seagulls. Quite amazing to see. A marvelous paved foot path that goes around the lake. Lots of families and dog walkers today. No one was in the dog park. Lots of parking. Interesting houses show off their patio personalities! read more

See all

With the unusual February warm weather it has been nice to get out and enjoy the Marina this winter. I guess I assumed most locals knew how this marina got here. I found out that is not the case. So, I will explain because it is part of why this is a 5 Star Park. In 1997 the Truckee River flooded. There was a long standing eyesore know as the Helms Pit. It had been a gravel pit in what used to be the very edge of town in Sparks, but had become right in the middle of the developing city. Then in the ultimate glo-up, mother nature's flooding water went right under the I-80 Freeway and filled the pit. When the river receded back to it's banks the newly formed Sparks Marina stayed. The city has put in a beach, park, a 2 mile walking/jogging/biking trail, a dog park, a fishing platform, and more. I believe the charm of the mini-lake is what made developers take the abandon "outlet mall" and turn it in to The Legends. Sparks Parks and Rec does an outstanding job of maintaining the park to be safe, clean, and easy to use. The only head scratcher to me is why the Peppermill / Western Village has not taken advantage of the luck and rebuilt it's grungy motel into a view resort. read more

See all

We are always looking for walks and hikes that are dog friendly. We hadn't been to Sparks Marina in several years so thought we would check it out again. Things have changed for the better! What a nice walk! We parked at Legends and took the nearly 2 mile loop going counterclockwise. This is a popular walk for people all ages and leashed pups. We were happy to see the addition of restaurants along the path. The park/beach looked clean, and had picnic tables and bathrooms. As we made our way back around, we passed the gated dog park and it, too, looked nice. At Legends near where we parked by the path, we were tempted to stop by the new location (to us) of IMBĪB Custom Brews, which has outside seating, but we will save that for next time. read more

See all

It was a nice place to take an easy, level, paved walk (or bike ride.) Not a ton of shade as you walk, but benches, grassy areas, trees, beach areas, along the path to stop and relax . There was a decent amount of people walking/biking at 830am weekday when I was there. On the northeastern corner you have some homes along the path and it was kind of entertaining to see how they decorated their backyards. Also in that corner is Lighthouse Coffee which made for a perfect end of walk treat stop! A good walk/bike path for all ages and skills but I give it three stars just because it's too busy for my liking and I don't think the water is all that nice to look at. I'll stick to the walks with a nicer view. read more

See all

This is a sweet little playground and perfect addition to any day at the Marina. We visited here after spending the morning at Lighthouse Coffee on the other side of the water. We walked around, did some bird watching, and after some incessant pleading from the kiddo, we settled in to let them run around and have some fun. There are a few play structures with a wide variety of fun for kids ranging from 3-12 or so. Everything felt super sturdy and safe, and most parents had a good handle in their kids, which always helps everyone relax. In the warm days of summer, between the wide and well kept walking paths perfect for kids on bikes and this playground, you can have a lot of fun at the Marina and really run your kiddo out of energy too! read more

Before I actually walked the loop around the marina, I was skeptical about this park. How cool could a man-made marina be, especially one located next to an outlet mall in Sparks and a major interstate? It turns out, it's pretty awesome. I encouraged my parents, who were visiting from out of town, to walk around it to entertain themselves before I got home from work. They did, and my mother raved about it. She thinks the two-mile circumference is the perfect distance, she loves the new townhomes and apartments that are being built on the east side, and she thinks it is so neat that there is a beach. "You have to see the houses on the canal," she exclaimed. "It looks just like Venice!" I walked the loop with them on a Sunday evening, and it was delightful. From 80, the marina doesn't look impressive, but when one is walking around it and seeing it close-up, it actually is beautiful. The park was filled with families and joggers and teenagers on dates, not hooligans and homeless people, as I had expected. I'm sorry, downtown Sparks, that I always anticipate the worst from you! We parked in the lot on Howard Drive, but one can easily access the trail from the Legends outlet mall parking lot near Scheels. For people who do not wish to stay in a casino hotel or in downtown Reno, the two hotels (Residence Inn, Hampton Inn) near the east side of the lake are brand-spankin' new and gorgeous. I was especially pleased to note that there are two sand volleyball courts in the park on the north side. That's something one doesn't always see in city parks. read more

Absolutely love this park it's super big and a great walk around the lake. The best way to describe it it's like Lake Merritt in Oakland that's how big it is, instead of the rats there was a bunch of beautiful squirrels lol. It's such a beautiful walk around there's so much around this lake. There is a beach area, a restaurant right on the lake, a dog park area, and fishing area as well. There's so much to do at this "park" is more like a lake in my eyes. I absolutely fell in love with the walk around the lake this is my favorite lil get away so whenever I'm in Reno again I'll definitely have to take a stroll around this park again!! read more

See all

I live right by here and I love taking my dogs to walk around the water. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed on the beaches/onto the sandy areas so if you bring your dogs you have to stay on the sidewalks or the grassy areas. Other than that I think it's really beautiful here especially on sunny/warmer days. There are plenty of seating areas so I think it would be a really cute place to have a picnic Update: there is a dog park where the dogs can swim on the far side of the lake near the freeway! If you park by legends and continue down the pathway, or just drive to the very end of where the parking lot starts (past the hotels- you'll see bathrooms and an entrance) theres a closed off area for dogs! So happy i found it. read more

Came down here the other day to check out the brand new all-abilities playground, and MAN did this place deliver! There were a ton of people and kids all other the place; however, with all the activities and play structures around, my kiddo was consistently busy - playing, exploring, climbing. Her favorites were the netted climbing structure and the big cone-shaped spinning structure. There are also plenty of swings and slides, of course, and a lot of interesting activities that you don't usually find at playgrounds, like a big xylophone-type thing and a little rubix cube style puzzle thing. I've never seen a playground like this... so many unique sensory experiences for the younger kids and fun physical challenges for the older kids. We could spend hours here, easily. It also helps that the marina is right there, and it's fun to take a little break and do some bird watching. There are lots of benches around, some covered areas, and the entire playground is fenced off so it feels very safe. I'm impressed with what they did here! We will definitely go out of our way to visit in the future. read more

Sparks Marina Park - Parks Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

When you want to go for a stroll this is a calming place to go for that. You may be lucky to spot ducklings swimming after mama duck, chubby sunbathing squirrels, and hooded warblers curious about your visit. We usually spot happy pups at the dog park, some dipping into the water to fetch or just wade. Pre pandemic you'd spot walkathons and picnics with music blasting. I've had colleagues make regular volleyball tournaments here and spot gym groups get their sweat on at the beach. The casino lot took over the park parking then. Quarantine&Post pandemic there was a bigger flow of weekend walkers, possibly due to gym closures. Families would come masked and passerbys with their gym equipment stroll through too. It's the walkers fashion show in the summer time! We have brought dumbbells here and you may spot other dumbbell walkers too! You'll still see fishing action throughout the park. Ive heard mixed things about the water, but kayakers can be found here. The parking lot varies, back to being packed, so we park deeper into the lot. It's interesting seeing the surrounding housing and knowing a coffee shop is just up ahead. That and the food stand is open again. Unfortunately the business plaza is still under construction, but we look forward to that development completion. The easy access to Legends is a nice perk if you want to extend a walk to shop around. If you need to get your steps in and bask in the sun with a little breeze, the Marina is a chill epic place to do so. read more

Sparks Marina Park - Parks Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

I love to walk around the Marina. It is so beautiful and reminds me of Europe. I think it reminds me of little cities on river banks. It is a two mile loop. I often see lots of birds. The last time I was there I saw a bird catch and eat a fish. I was actually lucky enough to have caught a picture of the bird with the fish in its mouth. Some people walk their dogs or ride bikes and some of us just walk. I love the variety of things you pass by. There are homes, hotels, the mall, park area, playground area, Western Village, areas to fish, and Lighthouse coffee. When you finish your walk you can stop by Lighthouse Coffee and get something to drink and eat and sit outside and enjoy the view. read more

Sparks Marina Park - Views at the park - Parks Near Me - Sparks, Nevada

See all