The Real Sun Valley, an Essay with Photos by Joseph Keller

"Today I went to Sun Valley Park located off 6th Ave and Sun Valley Blvd," Joseph Keller writes with these photos as part of a series on living in Sun Valley.

"When I went it was a little cooler and there were clouds dominating the skies. And while there weren't a lot of people there, there were some who were definitely enjoying their day.

My first stop was at the Sun Valley pool, where there were a number of people who were escaping the Nevada heat.

The Robert and Norma G Fink swimming complex, was built in the late 1970s and was dedicated to the people of Sun Valley in 1982.

The complex was run by the Washoe County Parks and Recreation Department until 2009, when the Sun Valley General Improvement District(SVGID) took over official operations.

From there I went and just wandered around the park.

Looking to see if anyone else was enjoying the area, of which indeed there were.

Four individuals were sitting and having a conversation under one of the trees.

One man was working to improve his English skills under one of the pavilions, while another couple were getting their steps in along the walkway that surrounds the main building and practice field.

I then went to check out the skate park in the hopes of finding quite a few using it.

And while not quite a few, I did come across Dora, who along with her two grand children and a feisty but cute smaller dog were there for some recreation and practice.

Seems her grandson is part of the BMX bike team here in the Valley. And he was practicing some of the skills, to get better. I had pictures of them all, but sadly my camera had issues, and therefore the images never came out.

As I was coming back from the skate park, I found another person jogging around the same path.

At the front of the main building is located a mobile library machine, where with just a library card, one is able to get material free of charge. I personally have never used the machine. But I believe I'll be checking out what it offers soon.

I know from when my kids were younger, that the building also hosted meeting places for scouts, of which all three of my kids were once into.

The building also hosts a martial arts school, and if still in operation, acts as a senior center, where Sun Valleys older residents (of which I'll be one sooner than later) can go for lunch, and converse amongst friends.

At the very southwest end of the park is another building that has been a few different things but is currently being used as a Head Start program where young children can begin the learning process in preparation for entering into the Washoe County School system.

It's things like this, from pools and pavilions, walking paths and skate parks, places for our young to learn, our seniors to meet, have a meal and talk with friends, where kids and adults get active, learn mental focus and if sadly needed learn the skills to defend themselves someday.

So, Sun Valley is more than just a few headlines in a news report. It is a community of young and old, of different cultures, but the same desires. To live, love, and enjoy their lives. This is the real Sun Valley."