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Chico Council Considers Bidwell Park Expansion

Derek Curry
/
Flickr, via Wikimedia Creative Commons

Parks and recreation figured high on the list at Tuesday night’s Chico City Council meeting where conditions were lamented, while consideration was also given, in the abstract at least, to substantially increasing the size of Bidwell Park.

Without more money and a restored staff, complaints about shuttered access gates, locked restrooms and closed parking lots aren’t going away. Dan Efseaff, the city’s park and natural resources manager, got an earful, but noted that there are limits to what his three-person crew can accomplish.

Several councilmembers urged officials to prioritize reopening the park’s access road upstream of the Diversion Dam. It’s been closed since the gravel roadbed washed away three years ago. Efseaff said the city has not bought gravel in years.  Several citizens told the council that closing the road increased tranquility, eliminating clouds of dust kicked up by cars and pick-ups. The issue will return at a later date.

Bidwell Ranch, a 759-acre lot adjacent to upper Bidwell Park, also came up for discussion, likewise with little resolution. City officials are negotiating with an alphabet soup of state and federal agencies to designate the property a so-called “conservation or mitigation bank.” If the process is successful, habitat for endangered species on the property could be preserved in perpetuity, enabling development and loss of habitat elsewhere. State budget cuts have made the process drag on. More details are expected in July.

In other council action, a shuttle bus connecting clients of the Torres Shelter with daytime services at the Jesus Center will cease August first due to cost. The council, with support of homeless advocates, will redirect the federal funds paying for it to purchase county bus passes that the Torres Shelter will distribute. The decision saves money for other purposes and should provide the homeless with better mobility.

Discussion of the Chico Creek Nature Center’s loan was tabled. Administrative Services Director Chris Constantine said he is confident the city and the center will reach an agreement by next month. 

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