Alyssa Exline, Reno.com
August 1, 2008

A day full of adventure is available minutes from downtown Reno at Rancho San Rafael Park. The large recreation area offers over 500 acres for families to picnic, play games and explore the Great Basin Adventure Park, the 12-acre Arboretum and the historic Wilbur D. May Museum.

A park for all occasions
Opened in July 1982, the park is comprised of a combination of manicured turf, natural desert and wetland habitat. Open year-round, the park has three group picnic shelters and 12 individual sites. The May Center, which includes the Great Basin Adventure Park, the Arboretum and the Wilbur D. May Museum, is located in the park along with a restored ranch house that can be rented for group events.

Run, play and discover the history of the Great Basin
The Great Basin Adventure Park offers fun activities for kids of all ages, providing an educational and entertaining glimpse of the past.

A replica hard rock mine is home to two indoor slides, which twist and turn while kids yell with delight on their way down to the darkened quarry. Wax figures on display depict what miners would be doing during a typical day on the job. Outside the mine, kids pan for gold with the help of a Great Basin Adventure staff member. There is also a mineral exhibit inside the "Lil' Miners Room" displaying the beauty that can be found deep under ground.

Wilbur's Barn is home to a petting zoo and pony rides. Surprise and Royal, the miniature ponies at the barn, are joined by pigs, goats, chickens and calves all waiting in their pens to be petted by friends young and old.

The Discovery Room is an area kids can explore using all their senses. Kids can put on puppet show, see clothes from days past or examine a variety of other artifacts from Nevada and the Great Basin. The room is divided into general sections and has information on everything from anatomy and botany to insects and animals.

The log flume offers a unique view of the lumber industry in the Great Basin, from the perspective of the log. Riders sit in hollowed out logs and wind down a stream, passing under a bridge and around several bends before beginning the ascent to the top of the flume. Riders hold on tight as the log soars down the tall slide, splashing water at the bottom.

Special programs and unusual exhibits offered at May Museum
The Wilbur D. May Museum is home to a collection of artifacts from May's nearly 40 trips around the world. There are also several other rooms that are recreated to look like May's Double Diamond Ranch. Unusual furniture and decorations are created with exotic animals of all shapes and sizes.

In addition to the permanent exhibit at the museum, there are also many special programs and traveling exhibits available throughout the year. The museum will be open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Twelve acres of colorful flowers and plentiful trees
The Arboretum is twelve acres of amazingly manicured gardens and naturally beautiful wetlands. Benches are plentiful throughout the grounds offering privacy and serenity, throughout the gardens. The Arboretum displays a wide range of garden life, from trees and shrubs indigenous to the area to a selection of plants that require special treatment because of their delicate nature.

Hopping rabbits and a variety of other curious critters can be seen while walking the hilly paths surrounding the Arboretum.

The Arboretum offers a variety of activities and programs for visitors to get the most out of their visit to the park. The Lahonton Audubon Society leads early morning walkers in search of birds of all types. Also, guests can learn to garden during drought conditions with the use of native plants. Another special program is the Fall Equinox Labyrinth Walk, exploring the newest garden and learning about the healing and meditation benefits of labyrinths.

For more information about the Rancho San Rafael call 775-785-4319 and for additional information about the May Center call 775-785-5961.