The purpose for creating and giving these tours is to preserve and increase
knowledge of the park's history, to raise consciousness of Chico residents
about the park's natural resources and their conservation, and to provide
useful information for park visitors, city staff, Park Commissioners,
Rangers, volunteers, and those who have an interest in knowing more
about Bidwell Park. The tours will take 2-5 hours, depending on area covered.
Tours will start in late Spring 2009.
Preliminary Tour Areas:
- Starting at north side of Sycamore Pool to Bidwell Bowl Amphitheater and
back via Annie's Glen
- Starting at Sycamore Pool on south side to Hwy 99, cross at Hwy 99
pedestrian bridge, back along creekside trail
- Starting at Hwy 99 on south side to Forest Ave. pedestrian bridge (east of
former Deer Pen), cross at pedestrian bridge, back along creekside trail
- Starting at Forest Ave. Bridge to Hooker Oak Park on north side, cross at
Manzanita pedestrian bridge and back on trail & South Park Drive
- Starting just east of Hooker Oak Park to former pistol range on south side,
back through Golf Course and north side of Five Mile
- Starting east of Hooker Oak Park to Monkey Face via Middle then North
Rim trail and back via one of the many Monkey Face trails
- Starting at Parking Area E in Upper Park, follow Maidu Trail to boundary of
park on north side via North Rim Trail, back on B Trail and Middle Trail
- Follow old water flume from Horseshoe Lake to Bear Hole, back on Yahi
Trail
- Starting at Parking Area E in Upper Park Yahi Trail (north side, next to
creek) from trail start to end of trail, back on Middle Trail
- Ten Mile House Road to Chico Canyon Road along Annie Bidwell Trail on
south side
- South side upper trails & disc golf area
- Starting at Ten Mile House Road, down road towards creek, into Big Chico
Creek Ecological Reserve property
Tours will include (as appropriate) information about these topics:
- History of tour area
- Geology and soils
- Native and invasive plants
- Use of native plants by Maidu
- Wildlife, fish, and birds
- Prior, current and future capital projects in the area
- Past activities in the area (e.g. go-cart racing downhill by Horseshoe Lake)
- Volunteer programs and projects in the tour area
- Political decisions that affected the tour area (e.g. expansion of the Bidwell
Park Golf Course, Hwy 99 construction, etc.)
- Park rules and etiquette, park policies (e.g. 12 R's, memorial benches,
downed tree removal policies, dog rules)
- Permitted and prohibited recreational activities
- Compatibility and conflicts of multiple park uses
- Park lessees (CARD, Chico Equestrian Association, Chico Rod & Gun
Club, Bidwell Park Golf Course, Chico Creek Nature Center, Kiwanis Chico
Community Observatory)
- Park management, maintenance structure and staffing
- Park funding sources
