Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch will offer fall color wagon rides as part of Saturday's celebration.

To celebrate 30 years of quality of life in Carson City, the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department will host the 30th anniversary celebration for the Quality-of-Life Initiative on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Silver Saddle Ranch, 4901 Carson River Road.

This celebration will be free and open to the public. Those who attend can enjoy live music played by The Bard Collective, cowboy poetry, a Park Ranger-led walk, wagon rides offered by Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch, volunteer appreciation, food from Lady Grillers Catering, beer donated by Shoe Tree Brewing, and ice cream, paletas and aguas frescas from La Tapatia. Come for the whole event, or pop in anytime to enjoy the activities and celebrate everything that makes Carson City special.

In 1996, Carson City voters passed a ballot measure called Question 18, or the Quality-of-Life Initiative that increased sales tax by one-fourth of 1% to support parks, trails and open space in Carson City. This dedicated funding source has led to tremendous benefits for the community through acquisition of land as well as developing, improving, and maintaining our wonderful parks, open spaces, and recreation facilities.

Thirty years later, Carson City has now acquired over 7,000 acres of Open Space, protected 12 miles of the Carson River corridor, created the Multi-purpose Athletic Center, made significant enhancements to the Aquatic Facility and Rifle and Pistol Range, as well as substantial improvements to several parks and sports fields, and so much more. 

The Quality-of-Life Initiative is truly unique to Carson City, no other county in Nevada has been able to pass a measure like this, despite previous efforts. Through this funding source, the Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department has positively shaped the fabric of Carson City through land preservation, trail development and construction and maintenance of parks and amenities.

Access to the outdoors, trails and recreation opportunities improves the quality of life for all Carson City residents by helping to connect people to nature, promote health and wellness, preserve our cultural heritage and build community.