Below are excerpts from our master-plan document for the Lemmon Valley Marsh & Playa (Swan Lake) Park. We share it here so that you can see our planning philosophy "in action".

To the infrequent visitor or to those with untrained eyes, the western edge of the Great Basin appears to be a sea of similar plants and little diversity. However, the environmental pressures that force adaptation and specialization result in interrelationships that go beyond what meets the eye.

In other words, the goal is to educate the public that the Great Basin offers more than meets the eye. This should be accomplished through the understanding of the harsh and delicate interrelationships that exist here. The end result is to empower people to understand and respect the desert ecosystems.

Interpretive Zones

Playa

The playa is one example of the extremes that exist in the Great Basin ecology and geology. The playa itself is an end-point of the "funnel" that drains the neighboring mountains, hills, and upland slopes of their precious water. The result is a basin that is inundated with water during the winter and spring months. There is no river in the playa to carry the water away to the ocean or to an adjacent valley. The water that arrives in the playa basin is removed only by the sun's energy through evaporation. When the playa does dry up, it is one of the harshest-appearing areas around.

Marsh

The cattail marsh, originally a small marsh that existed at the terminus of a small unnamed creek, has received help from man. This marsh has expanded its size due to the effluent that has discharged from a sewage treatment plant. The value of this water goes beyond human terms. This marsh and its water provide habitat for surrounding wildlife and migrant bird populations. Here lies the contrast that existsin the Great Basin: the lush marsh formed by plenty of water, surrounded by areas seemingly without water. Life in the marsh looks easier than in the surrounding environment. However, life in the marsh is difficult and subject to environmental extremes and limitations, too.

Upland

The area around the marsh and playa is as important and as valuable as the marsh. And in most respects, this upland area dictates the conditions that exist within the marsh. Here, not only is the marsh receiving part of its precious water from the uplands, the geology, soils and exposure of the upland areas determine how the marsh and playa evolve. The upland areas offer a greater diversity of wildlife and plant life than do playa and marsh combined. Here is where life is most rich. But this area is not without its own modifiers such as drought, high winds, and salty soils.

Interpretive Zones correlate with trail systems

The Playa interpretive zone will be along the Playa Trail system. The Playa Trail will be the longest and the most extensive trail in the Park. However, this trail will occasionally be impassable during times of high water. This trail traverses along the west end of the playa, taking visitors away from the interpretive center, and will end at the north end of the playa. This trail will enable visitors to discover the entire playa, from stagnant pools of water filled with microscopic life to salty soils that restrict life. This should be the birders' trail as well. Along the north end of the playa, in the winter months, visitors can witness the standing water vanish while plants and animals encroach upon this area, utilizing what little resources remain, until the summer sun entirely dries up the playa.

Interpretive concepts for the Playa Trail will include main topics such as playa ecology, hydrology, plants (both the dominant and lesser-seen), plant adaptation to saturated/sodic conditions, discussion of the food chain, animals that utilize the playa, the value of the playa, playa formation in terms of geology, and cultural history -- human adaptation to the Great Basin. The Marsh interpretive zone will be along the boardwalk, the overlook platform, and along parts of the main trail system.The boardwalk will bring visitors over the wettest areas where people can observe the cattail marsh. The overlook will perch visitors above the marsh enough so the expanse of the playa and marsh can be witnessed. Interpretive concepts for the Marsh walk will include topics such as marsh ecology, hydrology, functions of marsh, value of wetlands, wetland functions, plant adaptation (emergents and otherwise), and animals both migrant and resident.

The Upland interpretive zone will be on the Upland trail system. This trail will stay on top of the bench and will weave in and out of the sagebrush, phemeral seeps and drainages as well as through some grass-dominated flats. This trail is shorter and will probably carry the bulk of the visitors. Along this trail one will encounter a surprisingly healthy sagebrush steppe, complete with over three-meter-tall sagebrush, a large expanse of Great Basin Wild Rye, a few small drainages, one or more seeps, and plenty of coyote leavings.

Interpretive concepts for the Upland Trial will include main topics like sagegrush steppe ecology, hydrology of pehemeral seeps, plant adaptation, wildlife utilization and adaptation, geology, and views of the Basin and Range.

Entrance Trail and Visitor Kiosk

The entrance path and kiosk will also include educational interactions. The visitor kiosk, located adjacent to the parking area, will include a map of the park to orient visitors and give them a sense of the scale of the park. A trail directional map and trail descripts will be included as well. Also, the visitor will be informed of what to expect in this particular park. The should in terms of terrain, park facilites, park hazards (effluent water), and in general what to expect from one's experience at the park. The entrance trail will draw people way from the parking area toward the marsh. Along the trail visitors will be informed of the park's role or the park's mission statement, the history of the park, why the park exists, and whom to thank. The Great Basin will be defined and general ecotype descriptions will be introduced. A prelude to the marsh and its unique water sources might be included here.

Information Systems

The trail systems in the park can be developed wihout the use of much interpretive signage. Signs are items that can be phased in over time as funding becomes available. In place of signs, brochures can be developed for each trail. The brochures would correlate with numbered posts along the trail systems. Use of brochures would make it possible to develop different text for adults and children. Permanent signs should be placed along the entrance trail and the boardwalk, and at the kiosk and the overview platform.

Funding Agencies: Washoe County Parks Lahontan Audubon Society Bureau of Land Management

Cooperating Agencies: Nevada Military City of Reno Washoe County School District Nevada Department of Wildlife National Audubon Society American Land Conservancy