Bidwell Park
Encyclopedia
Bidwell Park is a municipal park located in Chico, California
. The park was established July 10, 1905 through the donation by Annie Bidwell
(widow of Chico's founder, John Bidwell
) of approximately 2,500 acre
s (10 km²) of land to the City of Chico. Since that time, the City has purchased additional land, such as Cedar Grove in 1922, and 1,200 acres (5 km²) of land south of Big Chico Creek
in upper Bidwell Park in 1995. Today, the total Park size is 3,670 acres (15 km²), nearly 11 miles (18 km) in length, making it the third largest municipal park in California and one of the 25 largest city parks in the United States.
Bidwell Park is "divided" by Manzanita Avenue. The area west of Manzanita Avenue is referred to as Lower Park and the area to the east is referred to as Middle and Upper Park. Middle Park extends from Manzanita to a point roughly equal to the upstream edge of the Chico Municipal Golf Course. The noticeable difference between Upper/Middle and Lower Park is the terrain. Upper Park is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It has steep terrain and shallow soils, and contains many rock formations, including the unique Chico Formation sandstone and Lovejoy Basalt rocks. Lower Park is flat and level with a deep soil structure supporting a thick canopy of trees which provide ample shade for the visitor. Special rules also apply in the Upper Park and the road is unpaved for much of its length.
dedicated to enhancing the public's awareness of Bidwell Park. The center features non-releasable injured wildlife and a native plant garden. The center expects to complete the installation of new natural history
exhibits in 2009.
Programs offered include preschool-age workshops, nature-themed birthday parties, exploration-oriented day camps, and K-6 grade environmental education field trips and guided nature hikes.
Chico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
. The park was established July 10, 1905 through the donation by Annie Bidwell
Annie Bidwell
Annie Kennedy Bidwell , with her husband John Bidwell, was a pioneer and founder of society in the Sacramento Valley area of California in the 19th century. She is also known for her contributions to social causes, such as women's suffrage, the temperance movement, and education. Annie Bidwell...
(widow of Chico's founder, John Bidwell
John Bidwell
John Bidwell was known throughout California and across the nation as an important pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician, prohibitionist and philanthropist...
) of approximately 2,500 acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
s (10 km²) of land to the City of Chico. Since that time, the City has purchased additional land, such as Cedar Grove in 1922, and 1,200 acres (5 km²) of land south of Big Chico Creek
Big Chico Creek
Big Chico Creek originates on Colby Mountain, located in Tehama County, California. The creek flows to its confluence with the Sacramento River in Butte County...
in upper Bidwell Park in 1995. Today, the total Park size is 3,670 acres (15 km²), nearly 11 miles (18 km) in length, making it the third largest municipal park in California and one of the 25 largest city parks in the United States.
Bidwell Park is "divided" by Manzanita Avenue. The area west of Manzanita Avenue is referred to as Lower Park and the area to the east is referred to as Middle and Upper Park. Middle Park extends from Manzanita to a point roughly equal to the upstream edge of the Chico Municipal Golf Course. The noticeable difference between Upper/Middle and Lower Park is the terrain. Upper Park is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It has steep terrain and shallow soils, and contains many rock formations, including the unique Chico Formation sandstone and Lovejoy Basalt rocks. Lower Park is flat and level with a deep soil structure supporting a thick canopy of trees which provide ample shade for the visitor. Special rules also apply in the Upper Park and the road is unpaved for much of its length.
Points of interest
- Sycamore Pool, located in the One Mile Recreation Area. The pool was constructed in the late 1920s and provides a unique swimming experience because its concrete decks, walls, and bottom are built to contain Big Chico Creek as it flows through the park. A dam and fish ladder at one end allow control of the creek's flow. The dam is raised and lifeguards are present from Memorial Day to Labor Day of each year. Locals often refer to Sycamore Pond simply as One Mile.
- Caper Acres playground is also located in the One Mile Recreation Area. Originally constructed in the 1950s, the playground provides a fairy tale-themed location for children to play in. Many play attractions in the playground were destroyed by a storm in 1995, but were rebuilt by members of the community. Adult visitors to the playground must be accompanied by a child 13 years of age or younger.
- Cedar Grove is home to the 2nd tree experimentation farm in the U.S. Trees from around the world were planted in the grove by John Bidwell in 1888.
- Five Mile, located near Manzanita Avenue in the upper park area, is a manicured park and picnic area. A flood control dam makes the water deep enough for swimming in the spring and summer. During times of high water, part of the flow of Big Chico Creek is diverted into the Diversion Channel which flows into Lindo Channel, on the north side of town.
- The Hooker OakHooker OakHooker Oak was a large valley oak tree in Chico, California. It was named after English botanist and Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker by Annie Bidwell in 1887...
was a large Valley Oak which grew along Manzanita Avenue north of Big Chico Creek near the Five Mile recreation area. Investigation of the 'tree' upon its death revealed that it was actually two trees that had grown together.
- Horseshoe Lake, located in upper Bidwell Park, was constructed in the 1930s as a reservoir in which to irrigate the Bidwell Municipal Golf Course, located across Upper Park Road from the lake. The land around the lake was the site of several shooting ranges. One was used by the California National Guard and later, during World War II, the U.S. Army. A concrete bunker used for military target practice still remains next to the lake today. The other two ranges were used by civilians to shoot rifles and shotguns (skeet). All remnants of the shooting ranges (with exception of the military bunker) were removed in 2005 as part of a lead and skeet removal project. The lake is also the site of the annual "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" fishing derby for children.
- Alligator Hole is a shallow swimming hole in upper Bidwell Park near an area used by the Boy Scouts of America for campouts and other gatherings, between Horseshoe Lake and Bear Hole.
- Bear Hole, located in upper Bidwell Park beyond Horseshoe Lake, is a part of the creek that is frequently used for swimming and diving. The water is deep during the spring and summer and rocks on both sides are used for sunbathing. However, the currents in the area have a reputation for being dangerously unpredictable and have at times been fatal. Bear Hole has a dirt and gravel parking area and a short trail.
- Diversion Dam, located just upstream from Bear Hole, is so named because it diverted some of the water from Big Chico Creek into a flume for use by the city. Remains of the flume can be seen along the banks of Big Chico Creek downstream of Bear Hole, and just upstream of Alligator Hole the flume track leaves the main creek channel and continues across the open area north of the creek.
- Salmon Hole, located in upper Bidwell Park beyond Bear Hole, is a part of the creek that is used for swimming. The site, which is essentially a large pond along the creek, is less accessible by car than Bear Hole and consequently less busy.
- Devil's Kitchen, North Rim, Monkey Face, B Trail, Yahi Trail, Bidwell Municipal Golf Course.
Chico Creek Nature Center
Chico Creek Nature Center, the park's official interpretive center, is a private non-profit nature centerNature center
A nature center is an organization with a visitor center or interpretive center designed to educate people about nature and the environment. Usually located within a protected open space, nature centers often have trails through their property. Some are located within a state or city park, and...
dedicated to enhancing the public's awareness of Bidwell Park. The center features non-releasable injured wildlife and a native plant garden. The center expects to complete the installation of new natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
exhibits in 2009.
Programs offered include preschool-age workshops, nature-themed birthday parties, exploration-oriented day camps, and K-6 grade environmental education field trips and guided nature hikes.
Timeline
- 1918 20 acre (81,000 m²) fishFishFish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
hatcheryHatcheryA hatchery is a facility where eggs are hatched under artificial conditions, especially those of fish or poultry. It may be used for ex-situ conservation purposes, i.e. to breed rare or endangered species under controlled conditions; alternatively, it may be for economic reasons A hatchery is a...
proposed - 1920 (approx.) GolfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
course put in — 9 holes - 1921 Forestry Station land added to Lower Park. Now the site of Cedar Grove, the Nature Center, and World of Trees
- 1921,1926 airfield near golf course proposed
- 1925 First clubhouseCountry clubA country club is a private club, often with a closed membership, that typically offers a variety of recreational sports facilities and is located in city outskirts or rural areas. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or polo...
built at golf course - 1926 Company G, 184th Infantry gets permission to construct rifle range
- 1932 PoloPoloPolo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
field proposed - 1933 CCC winter camp building east of the golf course proposed
- 1934 Kennedy tract (walnutWalnutJuglans is a plant genus of the family Juglandaceae, the seeds of which are known as walnuts. They are deciduous trees, 10–40 meters tall , with pinnate leaves 200–900 millimetres long , with 5–25 leaflets; the shoots have chambered pith, a character shared with the wingnuts , but not the hickories...
orchardOrchardAn orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
) added to north side of Lower Park - 1937 (and prior to) Horseshoe Lake reservoir in existence
- 1937 Sections of The Adventures of Robin Hood, starring Errol FlynnErrol FlynnErrol Leslie Flynn was an Australian-born actor. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films, being a legend and his flamboyant lifestyle.-Early life:...
and Olivia de HavillandOlivia de HavillandOlivia Mary de Havilland is a British American film and stage actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1946 and 1949. She is the elder sister of actress Joan Fontaine. The sisters are among the last surviving leading ladies from Hollywood of the 1930s.-Early life:Olivia de Havilland...
, were filmed in Lower Park - 1939 Petersen Memorial Drive built by CCCCivilian Conservation CorpsThe Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
- 1940 Overnight campground proposed in northeastern end of park
- 1941 Military camping okayed
- 1942-45 Diversion Dam built (year uncertain)
- 1946 ArcheryArcheryArchery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
area established by Glenn Archery Club - 1947 25-year lease and improvements on RadarRadarRadar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
bombing site proposed - 1949 Recreation District formed (CARD)
- 1950 SoftballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
field moved to Hooker OakHooker OakHooker Oak was a large valley oak tree in Chico, California. It was named after English botanist and Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker by Annie Bidwell in 1887...
area - 1950 Water control dams on Chico CreekChico CreekChico Creek is a tributary of the Arkansas River that flows from a source in El Paso County, Colorado. It joins the Arkansas in Pueblo County just west of the town of Avondale....
proposed - 1951 Day Camp established by CARD and Chico Teachers College
- 1951 First mention of EasterEasterEaster is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
Cross in BPPC minutes - 1953 CDF Fire Station with 1.6 acres (6500 m²) proposed NW of Live Oak Grove (30 yrs)
- 1953 Horseback riding groups ask BPPC for arena site. Okayed, but no funds.
- 1953 Area near One Mile Dam leased to CARD for Sycamore baseball field.
- 1953 Chief Evans asks for site for Police pistol range
- 1953-54 Pistol range under construction
- 1954 Camp Fire Girls (now Camp Fire USACamp Fire USACamp Fire USA, originally Camp Fire Girls of America, is a nationwide American youth organization that began in 1910. The organization has been co-ed since 1975 and welcomes youth from pre-kindergarten through age 21. Camp Fire was the first nonsectarian, multicultural organization for girls in...
) dedicate Campfire Council Ring in Lower Park - 1955 Local midget race car group builds 250 ft (76 m) long track in Live Oak Grove
- 1955 & 56 Bridge requested for private property access above Day Camp
- 1956 New rifle range requested for sole use of the National Guard, lease for 10 yrs
- 1957-58 CARD develops Hooker OakHooker OakHooker Oak was a large valley oak tree in Chico, California. It was named after English botanist and Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker by Annie Bidwell in 1887...
area - 1958 $25,000 fish ladder built. Ten dams in 300 ft (90 m) barrier
- 1958 MotorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
club asks to further develop Live Oak Grove area - 1959 Dam on Chico Creek (upper park) proposed
- 1963 PG&E claims it will cost $147,000 extra to bypass Bidwell Park with major power lines, plus $16,000/ year. BPPC votes 3-1 to put lines elsewhere
- 1964 PG&E power lines through upper park under construction
- 1965 Sycamore Bypass diversion channel built
- 1968 Chico Riding Club puts up arena
- 1970 Five Mile Dam Recreation Area dedication
- 1970 Caper Acres playground built
- 1971 Footbridge at golf course replaced after old one washed out by high waters in 1970
- 1972 Rod & Gun Club reports 77,300 targets used in 1971— possible cleanup of used skeet clay birds discussed
- 1972 Extensive discussion and study of closing South Park Dr. to cars
- 1972 Rifle range shade structures built
- 1973 Upper Park to be closed from 11:30 p.m. to 30 minutes before sunrise to reduce vandalism
- 1973 Trial period for dogs off leash in Lower and Upper Park starts
- 1974 CARD proposes tennis court construction at Hooker OakHooker OakHooker Oak was a large valley oak tree in Chico, California. It was named after English botanist and Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker by Annie Bidwell in 1887...
as part of renovation and improvement plan. BPPC opposed. City Council tentatively approves. - 1974 Park Commission votes to stop issuing wood-cutting permits for Bidwell Park
- 1974 Park Commission discusses instituting a city tree ordinance
- 1974 Park Commission meeting minutes mention using sheep for weed control in park
- 1974 Upper Park Road to be closed during wet weather at discretion of Park Superintendent
- 1975 Park Commission discusses fire hazard in Park due to undergrowth
- 1975 Banning of off-road vehicles on North Rim Trail discussed but no action taken
- 1976 Bird sanctuary proposed for Lower Park by deer pen
- 1976 Park Commission votes to close pistol range within 6 months
- 1977 Bidwell Park site (by Mangrove Ave) proposed for new city/county library
- 1979 Roller skating to be allowed in Lower Park
- 1979 Request to fly remote control planes in Horseshoe Lake area including creation of a takeoff/landing area
- 1979 North Rim road to be closed to vehicles in the winter months
- 1980 20-station Par Course approved for Lower Park
- 1981 Upper Park controlled burns start, with 1/5 of area to be burned each year
- 1981 Commission Minutes note that there is only one trash can in Upper Park, users are supposed to "Pack it out"
- 1982 Horse-drawn carriageCarriageA carriage is a wheeled vehicle for people, usually horse-drawn; litters and sedan chairs are excluded, since they are wheelless vehicles. The carriage is especially designed for private passenger use and for comfort or elegance, though some are also used to transport goods. It may be light,...
tours proposed for Lower Park - 1983 Golf Course leased to private concessionaire with Park Commission relinquishing control over golf course management
- 1983 BocceBocceBocce is a ball sport belonging to the boules sport family, closely related to bowls and pétanque with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire...
ball courts proposed for Hooker OakHooker OakHooker Oak was a large valley oak tree in Chico, California. It was named after English botanist and Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker by Annie Bidwell in 1887...
area - 1983 1300 acornAcornThe acorn, or oak nut, is the nut of the oaks and their close relatives . It usually contains a single seed , enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule. Acorns vary from 1–6 cm long and 0.8–4 cm broad...
s planted along Upper Park Road on north side - 1983 State Route 99California State Route 99California State Route 99 , commonly known as Highway 99 or, simply, as 99 , is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California, stretching almost the entire length of the Central Valley...
muralMuralA mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
approved - 1983 Job title for Bidwell Park's two Community Service Officers is changed to Park Ranger
- 1984 Park Department hires their first Urban Forester
- 1984 Upper Park annual controlled burns stopped
- 1985 Lost Park area surveyed and encroachments noted on maps
- 1985 Tree nurseryNursery (horticulture)A nursery is a place where plants are propagated and grown to usable size. They include retail nurseries which sell to the general public, wholesale nurseries which sell only to businesses such as other nurseries and to commercial gardeners, and private nurseries which supply the needs of...
started in 1.2 acre (4900 m²) Lower Park walnut orchard area - 1986 North Park Dr. to become one-way westbound, open 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
- 1987 Extensive discussion regarding use of park for military training
- 1987 Discussion begins regarding feral cats in park
- 1989 Rod and Gun Club's rifle and trap shooting ranges close
- 1989 Golf course expanded and Upper Park Road realigned
- 1989 Unauthorized disc golf courses begin to develop on 40 acre (160,000 m²) Hwy 32 site.
- 1990 Shakespeare in the Park begins (D-Rock Is Born)
- 1990 Bidwell Park Master Management Plan (MMP) approved by City Council.
- 1992 1.5 mile (2.4 km) "B" Trail built by volunteers from east end of Rim Trail to Middle Trail
- 1992 0.4 mile (600 m) Canyon Oak Trail (later renamed Maidu) built by volunteers from Middle Trail near Parking Area E to Rim Trail.
- 1992 Realignment of Upper Park Road and Golf Course using Mitigated Negative Declaration.
- 1991 Bidwell Park Wildfire Management Plan.
- 1994 Chico General Plan approved. Bidwell Park, designated as a Resource Conservation Area (pg. 7-11).
- 1993 Purchase of 40 acre (160,000 m²) BLM site on Hwy 32
- 1995 Acquisition of 1417 acres (5.73 km²) on south side of Big Chico Creek.
- 1998-1999 Bloody Pin Trail rerouted and Guardians & Pine Trails built.
- 1998 Park Commission votes to 'Declare its intent to consider a proposal to allow disc golf to remain on the existing hwy.32 site"
- 1998 Annie Bidwell Trail proposed, to extend from Bidwell Mansion to end of Upper Park "within sight and sound of the creek".
- 1999 1500 acre (6.1 km²) backfire covers north side of Upper Park between road and park boundary..
- 1999 Bidwell Park Trails Manual approved, described as a "work in progress".
- 1999 Park Commission approves a motion to "Formulate a plan and perform necessary environmental review processes related to the consideration of allowing disc golf at the hwy. 32 site". Negotiations begin with Cal Trans regarding Hwy 32 access.
- 2000-2001 1.25 miles (2 km) of Yahi Trail relocated and/or rebuilt.
- 2001 ObservatoryObservatoryAn observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
built. - 2002 Horseshoe Lake Fishing Pier built.
- 2002 GPS mapping of existing park trails and roads shows 40+ miles (60 km) of official and frequently used unofficial trails and road on the north side and 28 miles (45 km) on the south side.
- 2000-2002 Trail plan developed with 23 "Focus Areas", includes new creekside ABT pedestrian trail segments on the south side, new 1 mile (1.6 km) segment of South Rim trail, new trail from the North Rim Trail starting at the power lines to Bear Hole, a new trail from the eastern end of Lower Trail to Bear Hole, a new trail from the Middle Trail to the potential Day Camp area bridge site, a new trail from the junction of the B Trail and Middle Trail to Parking Area U at the end of the road, reroute of east end of Upper Trail and several reroutes of Yahi Trail between Bear Hole and Parking Area P.
- 2002 Bridges proposed above Day Camp and at the end of Upper Park Road.
- 2002 Boundary survey on south side shows that some park trails from disc golf area cross private property and may need to be rerouted.
- 2003 19 acre (77,000 m²) antimonyAntimonyAntimony is a toxic chemical element with the symbol Sb and an atomic number of 51. A lustrous grey metalloid, it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite...
, leadLeadLead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
, copperCopperCopper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , also known as poly-aromatic hydrocarbons or polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, are potent atmospheric pollutants that consist of fused aromatic rings and do not contain heteroatoms or carry substituents. Naphthalene is the simplest example of a PAH...
s removal project planned for Horseshoe Lake and lead removal at former pistol range. - 2003 Conceptual approval of observatory outdoor seating area & spotting pads, including realignment of the road to Parking Area C.
- 2003 Funding for update of Bidwell Park Master Management Plan and associated EIR approved by City Council.
- 2003 Conceptual approval of horse workout pen by Horse Arena.
- 2007 The Nico Project play area opened in Caper Acres
- 2008 Bidwell Park Commission votes to recommend disc golf stay at SR-32 site, with the site becoming more developed.
- 2008 At City Council meeting on 11-18, to consider the adoption of a new Master Management Plan, Chico city council voted 4-3 to approve restoration of SR-32 disc golf site to natural setting, with no further disc golf development or play allowed at SR-32 site. Also significant as a result of the Council vote to adopt the new Plan (5 -0 w/ two disqualified), the council removes the prioritization of the original requirements of the Bidwell Deed http://www.friendsofbidwellpark.org/deed.html , declaring the deed 'no longer legally binding'.
- 2009 City Council reverses decision to disallow the proposed disc golf courses in Upper Park, reinstating the 'Long Course', then allows the 'short course' a three year life span pending relocation at a later vote.