River Park Defensible Space Program
Welcome to the River Park Defensible Space Program!
Washoe County Emergency Management selected the River Park Neighborhood in West Reno (Washoe County, Nevada).
This is a mitigation program aimed at creation of defensible space for homeowners in the River Park Neighborhood. Through partnership with multiple agencies, this program includes: inspections, vegetation removal and revegetation.
The program concluded October 16th, 2025.
Program Outcomes:
River Park has 229 homes. Throughout the program phases, participation totals for homeowners were:
- Defensible Space Inspections - 39
- Interior Home Inspections - 15
- Vegetation Removal - 24
- Revegetation - 32
The homeowner survey had 23 participants. Two of the questions were especially relevant to our goals. They are shown here:
Please visit these links for revegetation resources:
Moana Nursery Planting Guide - A Guide to Sucessfully Planting and Plant Guarentee
Moana Nursery Expert Advice - This link provides videos for a range of needs (example: plants and trees, planting and pruning, soils and fertilizing, etc.)
Living With Fire Defensible Space Guide - A guide to defensible space with detailed understanding of each of the defensible space zones around the home.
Living With Fire Firescaping Landscape Design for Defensible Space - Information about landscape design that reduces house and property vulnerability to wildfire.
The phases of the project, and their proposed dates, are:
Door Hangers and Mailers - COMPLETED
- Date: August 19th - 25th, 2025
- Location: River Park Neighborhood
- Purpose: These brochures are intended for homeowners to gain more information about the program and community meeting. They also include contact information for the opt- in participation form, program website, and email address for Washoe County Emergency Management.
Community Meeting - COMPLETED
- Date: August 30th, 2025
- Time: 12:30PM - 1:30PM
- Location: Brewer's Cabinet, 8565 White Fir Street, Reno, NV 89523
- Purpose: This meeting is intended for homeowners to gain more information about the program, including how the area was selected and the benefits of participating. Several partners will be present for questions. Also an opportunity to learn about emergency preparedness.
Homeowner Opt-In Response Period - COMPLETED
- Date: Now through 5:00PM September 3rd, 2025
- Location: Online form linked below
- Purpose: To allow homeowners to opt into some, all, or none of the program phases.
Defensible Space Inspections - COMPLETED
- Date: September 5th - 7th, 2025
- Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Location: River Park Neighborhood
- Purpose: For experts to complete defensible space inspections on the exterior of homeowners homes at no cost to the homeowner.
Vegetation Removal / Green Waste Collection / Interior fire Safety Inspections and Smoke Alarm Replacement / Preparedness Information and Planning - COMPLETED
- Date: September 19th - 21st, 2025
- Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Location: River Park Neighborhood
- Purpose: For experts to remove pre-identified vegetation from the exterior of homes. Also interior fire safety inspections, smoke alarm replacement and preparedness information and planning.
Homeowner Plant Pick-Up - COMPLETED
- Date: September 21st, 2025 through October 15th, 2025
- Time: During business hours
- Location: All locations:
- Moana Lane - 1100 W. Moana Lane, Reno, NV
- S. Virginia St. - 11301 S. Virginia St., South Reno, NV
- Pyramid Way - 3397 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV
- Purpose: For homeowners to pick up reduced, or no cost, plants for revegetation.
Revegetation - COMPLETED
- Date: September 29th, 2025
- Time: 9:00AM
- Location: River Park Neighborhood
- Purpose: Delivering supplies to homeowners for successful revegetation with their Moana Nursery plants.
Feedback Time - COMPLETED
- Date: October 2nd, 2025 through 5:00PM Thursday, October 16th, 2025
- Location: Survey now closed.
- Purpose: To gather insights from the community on strengths and where improvements can be made.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will this cost me? This is a program at no cost to the homeowner.
When is the deadline to sign up to participate? 5:00PM September 3rd, 2025.
How do I sign up?
The period for sign up has closed. Please continue to check the Washoe County Emergency Management website for future projects.
How will I know if my home has been selected?
After all surveys have been reviewed, Washoe County Emergency Management Defensible Space Intern will follow up with homeowners to communicate next steps. We anticipate contact will be made beginning September 4th, 2025.
What if I don't want to participate in any phases?
You still have clean up resources. Washoe County and the Reno Fire Dept. have partnered with Waste Management to supply green waste bins during the vegetation removal weekend. Homeowners are welcome to use those bins September 19th - 21st. There will be several in your neighborhood.
What if I do the vegetation removal myself, may I still have reduced, or no cost, plants for revegetation?
This will depend on interest in the program and supplies available. We will inform homeowners if additional plants are available.
What partners are involved in this process and how do I find out more about them?
Important Notice: Scheduled dates may shift due to unforeseen circumstances or changes in project scope. Updates will be posted as available.