New:
The Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) is proposing several alternative routes for new high voltage power lines through Northern California. One of the proposed lines would pass through Bidwell Park just east of Horseshoe Lake. Here's the TANC's web site http://www.wapa.gov/transmission/ttp.htm and a web site of project opponents http://www.stoptanc.com/. The comment period ends on July 30, 2009.
Here is a comment that Friends of Bidwell Park has submitted regarding the TANC project.Some aerial photos showing impacts
on the park from the disc golf courses at the Hwy. 32 site in Upper Park.
Details.
There is also a list of links to related pages on the topic.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to help the park! A list of some of the major contributors of volunteer time, and the certificate of appreciation presented to FOBP by the City of Chico commemorating our first 8000 hours of volunteer work can be seen here.
FOBP volunteer work for the benefit of Bidwell Park has been recognized by the City of Chico on numerous occasions.
Paragliding in Upper Bidwell Park— An initial study and negative declaration for this project are available for review at the Chico Capital Project Services Dept (2nd floor, 411 Main St.). The 20-day review & comment period ends April 15th, with the public hearing at the May 5th City Council meeting.
To facilitate discussion of a location for the new disc golf short course, we have made a Google Maps page showing some of the sites under consideration by the Park Commission. The possible sites shown were taken from the maps produced by city staff for the March 4th Park Commission meeting.
The map has the usual Google Maps controls which allow you to zoom and pan for a close look at each site.
Friends of Bidwell Park is working on several exciting new projects including a complete plant inventory of Bidwell Park and a series of docent-led park tours. See current projects for details on these and other FOBP projects.
A couple of recent articles in the Chico News & Review:
A guest comment by former FOBP President Susan Mason, pointing out ways that volunteers can help Bidwell Park, There's no 'they' in Bidwell Park—It's up to us to polish Chico's crown jewel
An article about invasive plants and their impact on Bidwell Park, Invasion of the land-snatchers
Thanks to everyone who donated to Friends of Bidwell Park through the July-September Chico Natural Foods Nickel/Bag program and the Annie B's Community Drive. Thanks also to North Valley Community Foundation for organizing the Annie B's drive as well as providing a 10.6% match on all donations and to CNF for their continuing support of local non-profits.
| Nickel/Bag Program | $ 235.33 |
| Annie B's Drive | $3141.10 |
| Total Contributions | $3376.43 |
Another site for disc golf in Chico is described in a recent Chico News & Review article.
The site at Sunset Hills Golf Course is one of several recently built or proposed courses that could serve as a sustainable alternative to the thirty-nine hole course in Upper Bidwell Park recently approved by the Park Commission.
How to contact your City Councilors and Park Commissioners
The 1993 Grant Deed from the Trust for Public Land [pdf 3.5 MB] to the City of Chico for the area of Upper Bidwell Park where the unofficial disc golf courses are located. Also, a letter from the Trust for Public Land reminding the city that they must comply with the restrictions in that deed.
The final Environmental Impact Report for the Bidwell Park Master Management Plan update is available on the city of Chico web site . Printed copies are available for viewing at the Chico Library reference desk, CSU Chico Library Special Collections and at the Chico Parks Dept., 965 Fir St.
As an illustration of how some things haven't changed much over the years, a newspaper article from 1941 describes efforts to clear the park of noxious weeds.
See our Reasons to Keep Upper Park Wild
